Someone who functions at a high level of intelligence and yet leaves the house wearing two odd shoes is how Stephen Martin, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s new mayor sums himself up.
“Brains to burn and no common sense,” he admits as he reveals for the very first time that what he himself once thought of as “quirks” in his personality, are actually due to a behavioural disorder.
It was only when his wife Joanna recognised there was more to his behaviour than mere forgetfulness that Stephen (36) was surprised to be diagnosed with Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) just five years ago.
Speaking about it for the first time, the Alliance councillor admits: “I have always come across as quirky and that’s not to be in any way derogative.
“I haven’t told a lot of people (about his diagnosis) but I don’t think anyone who knows me will be surprised.”
Stephen, who studied law and politics at Queen’s University, initially worked as a solicitor.
However, he has a natural interest in governance which is why he jumped at the chance to change careers a few years ago and now works in the health service supporting the executive management team and their operations at Trust headquarters.
He is also a busy dad to three gorgeous girls — Emily (7), Imogen (5) and 18-month-old Hallie.
To ensure he still has quality family time while devoting himself to his role as mayor, he has taken a career break from his day job.
‘VIGILANCE’: Stephen’s wife Joanna spotted his AD/HD
During his term of office he aims to champion the charity ADD-NI which supports families of children and young people affected by AD/HD.
In the UK, around 3-5 per cent of children and 2 per cent of adults are affected and it is more common in males than females.
It is also believed about 1.5 million adults in the UK have the condition, yet only 120,000 have been formally diagnosed. Stephen is convinced he too would have continued oblivious of his condition had it not been for his wife Joanna’s vigilance.
He explains: “Jo clocked it very early although initially I was in denial. I was always a high achiever in school. People think AD/HD is about being unable to hold your attention or being distracted in class but mine is not like that.
“The classroom really suited me because it was so focused. It was when I went to uni and was left to my own devices that I struggled.
“In fact, I have almost too much attention and I am very focused on things I need to do.
“I can be so hyper focused I would forget that work finished at 5pm and I would still be sitting there at 8pm.
“Outside of that I am very forgetful. I am terrible at returning telephone calls and I would maybe lose my keys four times a day but I just thought everybody did that.
“Jo would ask me to go to the shop and 30 minutes later I would still be dandering around the house having completely forgotten she had asked me.
“Often I would be dressed in my full suit and tie and be ready to leave the house only to find I had two odd shoes on.
“It can be very frustrating for people around you who don’t understand.”
Joanna (36) is a health worker. Since she persuaded Stephen to take the first steps and get diagnosed, life has become much calmer as he has been able to put coping mechanisms in place.
He says: “The doctor can do a simple test and the score is what determines if you have it.
“I have learnt with support to have mechanisms in place and family life isn’t just as chaotic any more.
“Sometimes in Northern Ireland we say people are very smart but have no common sense and that would have been me.
“I always thought of myself as having brains to burn and no common sense but now I know that’s not the case.
“I do find it hard to explain to people outside of the family. That can be very challenging but I am also aware there are people who have much bigger challenges than I do.
“Managing it has really helped. I am a terrible sleeper and would have been up early every morning and I now know I need to make sure I get sleep because if I am tired it’s not good.
“Also, I would have been so focused before I would have forgotten to eat. I would have been working and then suddenly realised at 6pm that I hadn’t eaten all day.
“Things we all know we should do can be very difficult for someone with AD/HD. Now I make sure in the mornings that I eat breakfast and my shoes match before I leave the house.”
Opening a new exhibition at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum
Stephen feels lucky that he has a good support network round him and that he has been diagnosed and is now on medication.
He is convinced there are many people like himself struggling with simple everyday tasks unaware that it could be because of AD/HD.
It is why he hopes to use his term of office as mayor to raise awareness.
He says: “It can be quite debilitating for a lot of people and if by talking about it I can help even one person then it will have done what it needs to do.
“Add-NI does amazing work in helping to make life a wee bit easier for people with AD/HD and especially kids who haven’t had a fair start in life. I hope to support their good work during my term as mayor.”
Born and bred in Lisburn, he had an interest in politics while at university but had no plans to join any political party.
It was in 2006 after helping out a few friends during an election campaign that he was invited to join the Alliance party.
Stephen Martin at the opening of Cafe Bilco's in Lisburn
He was elected to Lisburn and Castlereagh Council in 2011 and admits it was as a rather idealistic 26-year-old that he first entered the chamber. “I was a bit wet behind the ears.
“When you join the council you think you can change the world and you want to change the world.
“Then you realise very quickly that there are processes and reason for why things can’t be progressed the way you would want.”
Ten years on and as he looks forward to his year in office as mayor, he does hope to make a difference.
The impact of the pandemic has prompted him to choose ‘connecting the dots’ as his mayoral theme through which he aims to get more people involved in community life.
He adds: “This is where I sound like a politician but I think being socially distanced has been harder on more people than we realise.
“Mum and tots groups stopped; things like dad’s five-a-side football ended and then you bring young people into the mix and they have really missed out. Everyone has been affected.
“I am committed to opening different doors to change how we do things to make life a little better for those who for too long have been passed by.”
