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- Beany Brain #98: ADHD Faces + A Eulogy for "The Autism Pastor"
Beany Brain #98: ADHD Faces + A Eulogy for "The Autism Pastor"
Abigail Munday
June 17, 2026
Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!
Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.
Table of Contents
Photo by Abigail Munday (London, near Leadenhall Market in Gracechurch Street)
ADHD Faces
Some folks with ADHD have trouble remembering faces.
However, that’s not what I struggle with.
My husband and sons get a bit freaked out when I notice everyone’s faces on a train, what they’re wearing, how they look, what they might be feeling—and then if I see them later at the store or around town I can remember them really easily and point them out to my family.
I was chatting about this with a 70-year-old man at church the other evening and he said he’s exactly the same.
Then the lightbulb went on and he asked me, “Do you have ADHD?”
Yes, yes, I do.
He does too—diagnosed in his 60s.
I was diagnosed at 47.
And we both had that mutual aha moment.
Then we commiserated about forgetting names.
If I don’t use someone’s name at least once a week, or preferably more, I can forget it.
Now…
If that ADHD guy and I could both pluck a little bit of our facial recognition prowess and apply it toward our working memory for names.
Name it and claim it, folks.
Ha Ha Haiku
A funny haiku for you every week in every newsletter, whether it’s one of my own or one I curate for you. HA. Ha. Haiku.
Face it: human face
In the clouds, in the church pew
But what is your name?
(Abigail Munday)
Photo by Abigail Munday
A Eulogy for “The Autism Pastor”
I had heard lovely things in the recent past about Rev. Lamar Hardwick, the (US state of) Georgia autistic pastor and advocate for those with disabilities.
He just died this week at the age of 47.
This is what Christianity Today says about him:
The Rev. Lamar Hardwick, a disability activist, author and preacher known as “The Autism Pastor,” died on May 22. He was 47 years old.
“With heavy hearts, we want to share that Lamar has transitioned after his journey with colon cancer,” Hardwick’s wife, Isabella Hardwick, said in a recent post on Facebook. “He was surrounded by love, peace, and family, and we are grateful for every precious moment we shared with him.”
Friends and colleagues have described Hardwick as “brilliant” and “surprisingly funny” and said he was known for his dynamic preaching style. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
And back to the article in Christianity Today:
In 2014, Hardwick, then age 36, was diagnosed with autism. His writing on the topic earned him the moniker “The Autism Pastor.”
“When I was diagnosed, it was like for the first time I understood I was human,” he said in 2024.
His diagnosis led Hardwick to consider how churches could better welcome people on the spectrum—by providing sensory bags with fidget devices and noise canceling headphones, by not pushing nonconsensual touch, and by posting clear signage for those who struggle with executive functions, for example—and how churches could better prioritize people with disabilities in general.
Just in the past couple years, when his cancer got worse, Rev. Hardwick said:
In 2024, after his Stage 4 diagnosis, he told RNS he adopted a hope-filled mantra from the Psalms: “I will not be shaken.”
“It doesn’t mean things are not shaking. Lots of things are shaking and moving and rocking and being flipped over all around me,” he said. “But as far as my soul, I feel very solid.”
Rev. Hardwick, this world will miss you and your love for those who need extra supports and scaffolding. Thank you for being a Builder. I have felt encouraged just by hearing about you and your work. RIP with Jesus.
Books by Lamar Hardwick:
Photo by Abigail Munday
Yeehawesome!
Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?
Springwatch on BBC 2! Three weeks of live nature, Monday-Thursday evenings. Oh my goodness. It’s my favorite every time we visit the UK at this time of year. Live bird nest cams! Badger setts! Pine martens! Insects! Flowers! One-minute mindfulness moments! This year Chis and Michaela were live from the Crom Castle grounds/park in Northern Island, and it was gorgeous.
Keeping a “good stuff” journal: Every day I write one or two or many things in it, and I can always go back and skim through it for a joy boost.
The short film “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.” I used to play it for the boys when they were little and I needed a distraction while I was cutting their nails. It’s lovely.
The Sidewalk Joy Map is absolutely delightful.
Quote of the Week
That’s just what we need: an army of ordinary people.
Quote by Trevor Chadwick in the “One Life” movie, about Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia after it had been annexed by h*tler
Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Today’s Beany-full Summary:
Some ADHD folks have trouble remembering other people’s names, possibly because of working memory issues.
Rev. Lamar Hardwick, “The Autism Pastor” and disabilities advocate, has died at age 47.
Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?
Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.
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