Uncovering Diamonds
Moonlake Lee is the Founder and Director of Unlocking ADHD, Singapore’s first IPC-registered charity and social service agency for ADHD. Diagnosed at 50, after supporting her daughter through the same journey, she reframed her challenges of overwhelm and burnout into a mission to empower others. With hyperfocus, creativity, and persistence, Moonlake has built a thriving organisation that champions awareness, strategies, and hope for the ADHD community.
Quotes
“Knowing why there were certain issues in my life gave me context and self-compassion, which was liberating.”
“The turning point was realising that what I had considered weaknesses could become assets in the right context. I began to see myself as a builder of systems, communities, and hope. That was the spark that fuelled the creation of Unlocking ADHD.”
Awareness and Diagnosis
My ADHD story began with my daughter. She was diagnosed at 15, the year before her O-levels, when she was struggling in school. As I researched to support her, I discovered that there was a strong genetic link and began recognising the same patterns in myself.
Still, I hesitated. I had reached my 50s and thought, I’ve made it this far — why bother with a diagnosis? A year later, overwhelmed by burnout from work, caregiving, and physical stress, I decided to seek answers. I hoped that medication might help me cope better and increase productivity.
The formal diagnosis brought more than I expected. It helped my husband understand me better, softening tensions in our 27-year-old marriage at that time. It also gave me self-compassion. Knowing why there were certain issues in my life gave me context and self-compassion, which was liberating.
Turning Points
Understanding ADHD reframed my past. It explained the cycles of burnout, the restless drive, the impulsivity. Instead of shame, I began to see possibility. My ADHD diagnosis was not an ending, but a beginning. It taught me to embrace my wiring—hyperactivity, creativity, impulsivity, and hyperfocus—and to leverage these strengths in building something meaningful.
The turning point was realising that what I had considered weaknesses could become assets in the right context. I began to see myself as a builder of systems, communities, and hope. That was the spark that fuelled the creation of Unlocking ADHD.
Strategies That Help
I’ve learned that scaffolding is essential. I use calendar reminders, alarms, daily schedule reviews, and weekly planning. Knowing my working memory is unreliable, I externalise as much as possible. As someone who is externally motivated, I build accountability into my routines. I sign up for half marathons and 10km races so that I stay fit, and I rely on exercise buddies to keep me on track with health goals.
Reframing also helps. Instead of drowning in “shoulds” and “ought tos,” I practise gratitude and celebrate incremental progress. Journaling, prayer, and daily reflection ground me. By praying for others, I take the focus off myself and the rumination ADHD so often brings.
This year, I also gave myself permission to play — to create white space, nurture relationships, and do things for fun. For someone who hyper focused so intensely on building Unlocking ADHD, learning to rest has been vital for balance.
Achievements and Strengths
I am proudest of launching and growing Unlocking ADHD into Singapore’s first IPC-registered ADHD charity. It is a team effort, but it took a lot of persistence and faith despite very challenging setbacks, to stay on course. Despite limited resources, we’ve built a vibrant organisation where many of our team members are neurodivergent. We learn in real time what works and what doesn’t, and we model accommodations that help our colleagues succeed.
The work that I do is in line with my purpose in life, “Uncovering Diamonds.” Those who are neurodivergent are talented and valuable, but just like mining for diamonds, a lot of work is needed to bring these precious stones to light. Years of shame, trauma, or lack of self-belief need to be addressed for these diamonds to display their value for all to see and appreciate. Themselves included.
Advice to My Younger Self
Learn more about yourself — your strengths, your joys, your values. These are your guiding posts. Find trusted voices who will tell you the truth with love and set boundaries for the rest. Don’t let others crush your self-confidence.
Changing Perceptions
I want the world to see ADHDers not through stereotypes, but as individuals with strengths and possibilities. What matters is creating systems that strengthen their brakes (i.e., self-regulation), so they can thrive.
Where I Am Today
Today, my energy is devoted to Unlocking ADHD — building a framework of support for ADHDers and their families. I am a full-time volunteer with the charity as I want every dollar to go to building up its capabilities and its people, rather than draw a salary.
Life is about embracing my race car brain, strengthening the brakes, and helping others cross the finish line too.
And with every project, every story, and every person who finds hope, I am reminded that this mission is not just professional, it is deeply personal. It is because I have ADHD that I’ve achieved what I have. My impulsivity, hyperactivity, creativity, and hyperfocus found their sweet spot in this mission.
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Support the ADHD Community
If you’d like to read more stories like these, consider donating $150 or more to receive a copy of our book, Differently Wired Minds as a thank-you. Limited quantities available.
Your donation helps Unlocking ADHD provide counselling, psychoeducation, and other vital support services to those affected by ADHD.
Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support made this book possible:
MINDSET, Singapore Pools, Chua Foundation, Hyphens Pharma
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