A STUDENT with health issues has thrown himself into rugby and his studies as he strives to overcome the life-long challenges of ADHD.
Darlington College fabrication and welding student Stephen Bird has seen success on the pitch and at Allerton Steel Ltd, Northallerton, where he works as an apprentice.
The 18-year-old, of Northallerton, is in the second year of his metal fabricator Level 3 course at Darlington College. But he was also part of the winning squad at Darlington Rugby Club which took the County Cup last season with an emphatic win over Stockton Colts 41-17.
Stephen has played at the club since he was five-years-old and finds that the game helps him after he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The practical nature of his apprenticeship, which sees him in college on a Tuesday and at work 6am-2pm the rest of the week, also suits his condition and his lifestyle as it allows him to train in the gym on an afternoon.
Stephen, who hopes to work on rigs or wind farms one day, used to play both union and league and was also a member of Newcastle Thunder. He has now decided to concentrate on the rugby union. He plays a variety of positions including hooker, flanker and prop and has also been fullback and a winger.
After finishing his time with the Colts, he is looking forward to playing for Darlington’s first and second teams.
“I have ADHD, struggled with school and decided I wouldn’t be able to go to university,” he said. “My dad suggested an apprenticeship which appealed to me as it meant I had paid work with an employer and wouldn’t be running up student debt.
“With my condition, if I don’t enjoy what I am doing it is really hard to focus on it or even listen because I have a lack of dopamine in my brain and my memory is poor. It does also work the other way in that if I find something I love I can focus on it for hours. For example I recently learned how to drive and passed my test first time.
“I am managing to focus well on my course work. I’ve always enjoyed maths and am getting full marks. I love the more practical side too and being at work which is hands-on.
“Darlington College is really good as the teachers understand my needs, explain everything really well and the support is easily accessible. Everyone on my course have become friends and a lot of friends from my old school and from the rugby club also come here which is great.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
