Tuesday Vargas inilahad may autism, ADHD

HARD TALK
ni Pilar Mateo

SA mundo ng katatawanan sa entertainment field, isa sa naging outstanding sa klase ng kanyang comedy si Tuesday Vargas. She can sing. She can act. Total package ‘ika nga. More than beauty, yes she is brainy. 

At sa ikot ng kanyang buhay sa pag-e-entertain sa mga taong subaybay sa pagpapatawa niya, marami ring ganap o hanash ito.

At mayroon nga siyang ibinahagi sa Facebook ngayon

“10 things most people do not know about me:

“1. I am the eldest in the family and was an only child for 11 years born to an OFW mom and a stay at home dad. This taught me to become independent and generally solve or figure out things on my own growing up. My parents are good people and well meaning, but they were also very young when they had me. Praises to them for still making it work.

“2. I sold yema, brownies and even ukay as early as 9 years old when we moved to Sta. Cruz from Tondo in Almeda St. so I can have baon. My parents provided for me but I developed early on the virtue of entrepreneurship. Bawal tamad sa bahay namin.

“3. I started singing at 3 years old. I fill voice tapes for my mama with kwento and songs to keep her happy and at peace as she works abroad. Nauna pa akong kumanta kesa mag basa at mag sulat. Nag banda ako at 15, nag comedy bar at 18, nag artista at 22. 

“4. I was diagnosed with high functioning autism and ADHD at the age of 12. Suddenly my young life made sense. All that “ang kulit ng batang yan!” was clear to me. Back then there was little to no studies about this condition in women. Most were done on men. I didnt take meds, I did cognitive behavioral therapy.

“5. The same testing period before entering Manila Science High School revealed that I have an IQ of 146 which is borderline mderately to highly gifted. But with my ADHD I find it hard to focus in school and deal with social interactions. I often get report cards that say “Matalino pero makulit”.

“6. I suffered through different kinds of abuse growing up. But that calls for a different post. I cant discuss as of the moment all these things in detail. Please pardon me for keeping this one to myself muna at the moment. 

“7. I became a mom at 21. I was a single mom with no job, no support system and no future plans. But I did not give up. I did odd jobs to make ends meet, sometimes not eating just so I can buy what my son needs. 

My family quickly rallied to support when my weight dropped to 86lbs.

I do not normally ask for help, I didnt want to be a burden to anyone. That is part of having ASD and ADHD as I learned years later.

“8. I was in several romantic relationships that failed and left me alone, penniless and shamed. I do not blame anyone for this. My eyes were open when I entered these romantic involvements and I am paying the price for all the wrong decisions I made. I learned that. I AM THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. I am the only one capable of loving myself the way I need to be loved.

“9. I have been in therapy since 2018. More intensely during the pandemic when my condition worsened. Now I suffer from generalized anxiety, PTSD and panic attack disorder which I am currently working on.

I tried to unalive myself twice.

“10. I am a fighter, a mother who is trying to become a person of value at the same time raising a son who I pray becomes the same- someone who doesn’t give up easily or uses whatever “condition” or its effects as a crutch to just sit idly by and let life waste away. 

“Are you someone who struggles with mental health issues? Or someone with suicidal ideations? Please seek help. 

Here is a free hotline for those of you who need support:

“NCMH Crisis Hotline provides 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support over the phone

1800-1888-1553

“And this: 

“The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) offers free psychiatric consultation and counseling services done through personal checkups. Set an appointment and wait for a representative to confirm your schedule. To set an appointment, go to their website. The PGH is located at Taft Ave., Ermita, Manila

“As a reminder to anyone reading this, before you judge too harshly, CHECK ON YOUR FRIENDS. Especially those that smile and laugh a lot, those who are really good in social situations, those that do not ask for help. Your phone call might just save a life.”

May mga lambing na unti-unting nagbubukas. Tungkol sa kanya. Para rin makatulong sa iba.

Hindi ka naiiba!