CVHS Senior Defies ADHD Challenges
High school senior and artist Simone Florea says despite the challenges posed by a neurodivergent diagnosis, individuals are capable of achieving greatness and realizing their full potential.
Simone Florea
Simone Florea, a Castro Valley High School senior, is preparing to embark on a new chapter this fall as she heads to Fullerton University to major in Art. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination to pursue her dreams despite the challenges of being diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten.
From an early age, Simone exhibited an interest in art, crafting images and characters that captured her imagination. By age 13, she built a compelling storyline around two of the characters she had crafted, which solidified her desire to pursue art as a career path.
As Simone’s passion has evolved into a professional pursuit, it has also sparked into an entrepreneurship dream. She has now teamed up with local friends to create a game based on her art project, Mission Home World, and is writing a book, “The Most We Have.”
However, Simone's journey has not been without its difficulties. Growing up, she grappled with feelings of exclusion and frustration, as her ADHD manifested in fixations and unconventional ways of approaching things that didn't mesh well with the people around her.
“When I was younger, I always felt left out, and kids didn't like playing with me,” Simone explains. I would be very fixated on certain things. I did things my own way. It made me upset and pushed some people away from me.” The diagnosis itself presented a significant obstacle, leading to moments of self-doubt and anxiety. “I didn't like that I was diagnosed with it,” she admits. “It was a big obstacle for me over the years.”
Particularly in her teenage years, Simone relates how she noticed an increase in anxiety. “It has increased a lot, and I have had moments of depressive episodes,” she confides. “It is not easy to deal with.” It is very common for those diagnosed with cognitive differences such as Autism and ADD to have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. But Simone chooses to see the positive aspects as well. “My neurodiversity strengthens my work,” she says. “I incorporate ADHD into the characters. The entire cast of my book has ADHD. When it comes to stories and ideas, they all come from my brain. It leads to the creation of my work.”
Simone identifies several communities of support that have helped her through the challenges she encounters. “I have plenty of friends who are neurodivergent, and they are passionate about things, and that helps me. My mom and dad support me with everything. It can be stressful to raise a neurodivergent child, but my mom has done so much for me.”
Simone’s message is clear - despite the challenges posed by a neurodivergent diagnosis, individuals can achieve greatness and realize their full potential. Furthermore, she asks others to see beyond a diagnosis to the talented individual behind it. “I've seen work being praised so many times but when people find out that the creator has ADHD, they disregard it,” Simone says. “We want new and original ideas but we don't want what it comes from. People want their kids to launch a rocket but if they show signs of autism or ADHD, they feel they are a lost cause. If you want your kid to do something, you have to accept what diagnosis they have.”
Transitioning to university brings its challenges, but Simone is focused on the opportunities it presents for furthering her artistic pursuits. In sharing her story, Simone hopes to empower others to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their passions with confidence, irrespective of the labels society may impose.
For a portfolio of Simone’s work, visit @vinta.moroi.x on Instagram; vinta.moroi at the artist collective Artistree, or her portfolio: vintaportfolio.carrd.co
