ONE of the Fermanagh Trust’s 20 Community Heroes has admitted that he was “speechless” when he found out that he had been nominated for the prestigious award.

Niall Greene (35), a native of Donagh who now lives in Enniskillen, told the Impartial Reporter that he felt “humbled and very proud” to have been recognised in this way.

Just under three years ago, Niall and his fiancée Emma Weaver founded Adult ADHD NI, an organisation that supports adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as parents of children with ADHD.

Having been diagnosed with Adult ADHD around 10 years ago, Niall was inspired to set up the organisation after seeing the lack of understanding and support for people with the neurological condition.

He said: “Life can be very difficult with ADHD. You struggle with things like money management, keeping time and things in order. Everything’s chaotic.

“Generations of adults were not diagnosed. I knew the benefit that I got and I wanted to give something back.

“My life has changed since I was diagnosed. I’m very passionate about what I do and I want to help people back into education and employment.” Niall admitted: “It doesn’t feel like work!” Since February of this year, after receiving a “little push” from his fiancée Emma, the Donagh native has also been writing about his experiences with ADHD on an online blog, called ‘Niall’s ADHD Notes’. So far, the blog has been viewed over 70,000 times.

As well as being a passionate advocate for ADHD issues, Niall will also be familiar to many Fermanagh people for his other passion – acting!

Having first tread the boards in his teenage years, he has been involved in numerous drama groups across the county over the last 20 years. As well as performing in the annual pantomimes at the Ardowen Theatre over the last decade, Niall’s latest role was in the Knocks Drama Group’s production of ‘I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell’.

He said: “There are a lot of things I struggle at, but acting just feels natural. It just kind of clicks. It’s a good way to express myself and I get to express my wacky side!” Looking back on his life so far, Niall said that his ADHD diagnosis has been a “driving force”. Having left school with no GCSEs, he has since embraced education and is currently working towards a degree in counselling.

From humble beginnings in November 2012, Adult ADHD NI has helped over 200 people from across Ireland, but Niall admitted that this was only the “tip of the iceberg”.

Originally based in the Aisling Centre in Enniskillen, the organisation subsequently moved into new premises at the Enniskillen Business Centre on Lackaghboy Road. As well as offering one-to-one support, it also has four support groups that meet regularly in Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon and Belfast.

With one of its main aims being to reduce the stigma surrounding the condition, Adult ADHD NI also provides information sessions to relevant agencies, such as schools and colleges, creating awareness and offering guidance on the challenges of ADHD.

Having been nominated as one of Fermanagh’s Community Heroes for his tireless efforts in increasing awareness of ADHD, Niall added: “I love doing this work and I can see the positive impact on the people that we’ve helped. I can safely say that people in Fermanagh know all about ADHD!” For more information on the work of Adult ADHD NI, visit the organisation’s Facebook page or the website at: www.adultadhdni.org To check out Niall’s blog, called ‘Niall’s ADHD Notes: Life in Ireland with ADHD’, go to: https://niallsadhdnotes.wordpress.com