By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 18, 2024
You fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after… NOT! How about a reframe? You fall in love, get married, and live happier, and happier, and happier. Now you’re talking!
All this from Rick and Ava Green in a conversation about their relationship and the third party that’s always present – the “we,” their marriage itself. But when you add in Rick’s ADHD, that’s a new twist. They talked about their challenges, their expectations, the overriding vote that “We” has in the relationship, and how they continue to live happier and happier and happier.
Rick’s story is quirky and fascinating. His background includes being named by the University of Waterloo as one of its top 50 science graduates of all time. He began his career as a teacher at the Ontario Science Centre, developing programs and plays for the general public and school groups. He left in 1979 to become a full-time comedian, and for eight seasons, he produced and hosted the comedy series History Bites on History Television for which he received a Gemini Award. The show has been hailed as “the cleverest Canadian comedy of all time.” Since then, he has been highly acclaimed by experts, doctors, and adults struggling with ADHD.
Ava being a self-proclaimed course-junkie is especially passionate about human nature and relationships. She walks the walk, incorporating what she’s learned into her day-to-day life. Not only do Rick and Ava work together, they work in harmony. In fact, every ADDer eventually tells Rick, “I want an Ava, too!” A gentle spirit in a sometimes challenging business, she also has a wicked sense of humor.
If you are in an ADHD relationship, romantic or otherwise, check out my interview with them, “We Plus ADHD: Creating Great Relationships.” Or check it out anyway even if you’re not in a relationship but you want to be. If you’ve given up on the idea of a relationship because of your ADHD, you REALLY should check it out.