im actually a tredactyl

she/her | 18

[molloyism]

my hand was the one you reached for, all throughout the great war <3

[jackiestarsister]

There is a musical about ADHD

Since apparently it’s ADHD Awareness Month, I thought I’d share something I wrote recently: my reaction to discovering the musical adaptation of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

I read The Lightning Thief as a young teen, though not the rest of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I’m now revisiting the series because this summer, I came across the musical soundtrack on Spotify, and then found recordings of productions on YouTube.

With music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki and a book by Joe Tracz, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is impressively faithful to the source material. Even with some changes from page to stage, the storytelling quality is fantastic (much better than the movies!). But what really surprised and impressed me was how much it resonated with me as someone who has ADD. Altogether, the musical feels like an allegory for the neurodivergent experience.

In the book, there are scattered references to ADHD and the kinds of symptoms it manifests—impulsiveness, procrastination, time blindness (demonstrated quite literally by the lotus-eaters). But the show delves much deeper into the emotional life of a person who has a learning disability or mental disorder: alienation, anger, resentment, self-blame, low self-esteem. The music matches these emotions, often angsty and sometimes harsh. The overall tone of the show is chaotic, which is how our brains and our lives can feel. The lyrics of some songs may sound like a lot of whining, but imagine the kind of real-life thought spiral that that represents. (Then imagine being frustrated with yourself after realizing how much time you just wasted on that worrying.)

What’s cool is that in the story, conditions like ADHD and dyslexia are explained to be characteristics of the demigods, because their minds are hardwired for ancient Greek, and their bodies have instincts and reflexes that would keep them alive in battle. In a very real way, the things that make them different—the things that Percy initially thinks are causing his problems and holding him back in life—turn out to be their greatest assets. That’s an empowering idea, and expressing it through music makes it even more powerful!

It’s also good to see that the characters with ADHD are not stereotyped. The same condition can look different in different people, due to a variety of factors–how they are wired, the individual’s response to having it, and the kind of environment they are in. Contrast Percy, who is put through tough schools and labeled as a delinquent, and Annabeth, who trains at a camp for kids like her and is a complete perfectionist. We have different personalities, we develop different kinds of coping mechanisms, and we go on different journeys of learning to function in a world that was not designed for minds like ours.

Honestly, it feels like Percy and the other half-bloods could be speaking for all neurodivergent people. The encouragement of “Strong,” the anger and despondency of “Good Kid,” the longing for recognition and approval in “My Grand Plan,” the acceptance and conviction in “Son of Poseidon,” and the determination of “Bring on the Monsters” all ring true. Finding people with experiences like yours can feel like finding a new family and home. And Percy’s indecision in “Last Day of Summer” describes the kind of dilemma I’ve faced at different points in my life: whether to stay in an environment that is easier to function in, or venture into the world where we’ll have to face challenges.

You can find the soundtrack on YouTube or on Spotify. I strongly recommend seeing or listening to the musical if you or anyone you care about has AD(H)D, dyslexia, or other mental disorders or disabilities (or whatever the medically/socially acceptable terminology is now).

Even as an adult, the idea that qualities we consider weaknesses and deficits can actually be strengths is really encouraging and inspiring.

[neurospicy]

Neurotypicals will be like “I know you have a disability that affects your ability to stay organized, manage your time properly, socialize, or control what you’re able to think about or focus on, but that’s not an excuse to have trouble staying organized, managing your time properly, socializing, or controlling what you need to think about or focus on.” And then demand that they aren’t ableist. I’m tired.

[thenightgaunt]

Fuck this one hits home.

[silvermoonwritings]

“And I knew it. That’s the worst part: I knew it.”

[loved-ones]

Never forget how they gave you distance when you needed love

[silent-insanities]

I fear that I love too deeply for those who don’t love at all.

[alexandrast17]

This TikTok probably explains it best, also watch it to the end before forming an opinion please :)

Also NOT my TikTok btw

[kand1corn-deactivated20240201]

the way in which mike’s trauma is totally overlooked by the fandom. people love to only focus on mike’s negative traits, but a lot of these traits are a result of his trauma (aka literally watching the person he loves disintegrate in front of his eyes)

“he spends to much time with el/ he only cares about el” (s3)

mike met el, and it completely changed him. he fell in love with her within the span of a week. he finally gets the courage to kiss her. not even 30 minutes later, he watches her practically die in front of his eyes to save him and his friends. he spends every night for whole year calling her, praying and hoping that somehow she was still out there. he didn’t care if she said anything, he just wanted to know that she was alive and safe. that’s not something that’s good for someone’s mental health, especially not for a 13 yr old. not to mention, mike never talked to anyone about what he was going through (minus him briefly mentioning it to will) that clearly took a toll on him. then finally, he gets her back. but in less than an hour, he’s watching her leave to risk her life, again. after this, mike develops a severe fear of losing her again. he’s scared that one day he’s gonna loose her again, for good. so of course, he wants to be with her as much as possible. he loves her so much that he’s lost without her. and it’s not like she is able to go to public places with the rest of the party.

so yeah, god forbid he makes her his main priority. people hate on him without understanding his character.

[theprettyarachnid]

JJK characters from most to least likely to prefer a clingy s/o

a/n: how am i supposed to live laugh love after reading book 14 but anyway enjoy <3 <3 <3

please tell me i answered this question correctly

warnings: none

characters: itadori, megumi, inumaki, yuuta, gojo, suguru, nanami, sukuna

itadori

🕷 he's used to it by now but yuuji still blushes every time you kiss him or hug him

🕷 you guys have a silent competition of who can surprise the other the most by sneaking up behind the other and hugging them

🕷 yuuji's in the lead because he can be quite stealthy

🕷 always has the biggest smile on his face when he gets you because you always end up laughing and telling him to put you down so you can give him a proper hug

megumi

🕷 he already has trouble believing that most people want to even be around him so when he realized how clingy and affectionate you were, he was a little taken aback by it

🕷 he didn't intentionally do it but in the beginning he shrugged you off every now and then

🕷 when you started to back off because of that, he noticed it right away and asked

🕷 felt really bad about it and told you that he was sorry and he actually liked how affectionate you were

🕷 which wasn't a lie but megumi didn't realize that until you stopped

🕷 he always gets a little embarrassed and he much prefers when you're clingy in private than in front of nobara and itadori

inumaki

🕷 his love language is touch so he’s very happy when you reciprocate with the same energy

🕷 he gets shy when you hold his hand first though

🕷 you two are glued by the hip so whenever one of you are alone, everyone immediately asks where the other one is

🕷 both you and inumaki insist that gojo pairs you up during missions

🕷 inumaki turns into an absolute wreck when you’re sent on a mission alone because what if something happens to you and he isn’t there?

🕷 he would never forgive himself for that

🕷 loves showering with you and he definitely steals your body wash

yuuta

🕷 when he had a crush on you, he loved yet simultaneously hated it

🕷 yuuta loved how it gave him an excuse to be close to you but he always had a difficult time keeping his cool

🕷 but it doesn't matter now because you two are dating

🕷 he loves it just as much and he absolutely hates when he has to leave you because he can't stand the sad look on your face

🕷 he tries to not show how upset he is too because he knows it'll only make you sadder

🕷 when yuuta comes home, he brings you into a big hug before you drag him into your dorm so you can make up all the lost time for when he was away

gojo

🕷 teases you so much but he’s actually just as clingy, if not more

🕷 literally starts complaining if you haven’t given him any affection after an hour

🕷 satoru doesn’t sleep as well when he’s away because there’s an empty space in the bed

🕷 when he returns home, he doesn’t care what you’re doing he just carries you bridal style into your bedroom so you can cuddle and baby him

suguru

🕷 smiles fondly at you whenever you cling to his arm or hug him

🕷 suguru will be talking to his 'monkeys' and ignores them when you come up to him and wrap your arms around him

🕷 once someone interrupted you both and he hid your face in his chest and 86 them

🕷 if you dont know what that means, he pretty much killed them

🕷 it gives him quite the ego boost knowing how much you want to be with him

nanami

🕷 finds it very endearing

🕷 he may not reciprocate depending on the setting you are in but he doesn’t stop you

🕷 tends to just give you a quick kiss to the hand when you’re in public

🕷 once threatened to punch gojo in the face when he gave you guys kissy faces

🕷 nanami always gives you just as much attention when you’re home though

sukuna

🕷 “what the fuck are you doing?”

🕷 definitely shoved you off the first time you hugged him

🕷 in his defense, he probably has not experienced physical affection in the thousands of years he’s existed

🕷 and no meaningless sex does not count as physical affection

🕷 sukuna has gotten used to it but he still tells you that he finds it gross

🕷 once you actually pulled away since he told you how 'disgusted' he was by your clinginess but he yanked you back over to him

[sleepysnk]

i feel like sasuke is that kind of boyfriend who is always on facetime with you.

he likes to talk to you as much as he can. he doesn’t care if the conversation gets dry or you’re sitting in complete silence. he loves talking with you as much as possible. he enjoys your presence, and the two of you always find something to do. he could listen to you talk for hours if he really wanted to 😭. he just adores you that much <3.

[animepolaroid]

[ni23ku] - reposted w/ permission

[diedtoday]

“𝘈𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘢, 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨?”

[ravewoodx]

[ravewoodx]

[ravewoodx]

[wookjiinz]

It’s about kids seeing kids who are like them and strong and aren’t just comic relief or some one off line and i think it’s beautiful

EXACTLY

like as a desi person, the only south asian character was ravi from jessie but he was……a literal walking stereotype. i know that disney junior released mira, royal detective but i haven’t watched it yet. hollywood’s representation of south asian people is mostly skewed (either the mathwhiz or the thick accent or the clumsiness and eccentricity) and THAT is why im so excited that grover’s being played by an indian actor who has a name with indian roots because again, hollywood prefers their actors with easier sounding names (see for example, naomi scott for the 2019 Aladdin).

and annabeth!!!!! a black annabeth!!!!! with curls!!!!!! protective hairstyles!!!!!!! i’ve rarely seen black characters on screen with curls, regardless of locks or braids (one really good one was i think….Lay Lay? on netflix) but annabeth; a no-nonsense, methodical and daughter of Athena being black??? one of the bestest things that rick’s done

so this??? this is GROUNDBREAKING. this is new and i CANNOT wait to see what he does next