I guess when you are insane famous a little photo can get a lot of attention, especially if you are considered the perfect role model. Truth is, nobody is perfect and nobody should be expected to be perfect. That being said, I read a couple recent blog posts about Michael’s situation and how his actions do, or better yet, do not relate to ADHD. Can you really separate the actions of someone with ADHD from ADHD itself? That’s a very good question. Check out these two articles which take a moment to put this whole shebang in perspective:
What do you think of Michael’s recent actions concerning smoking marijuana? Related to ADHD? Or just a 23 year old experimenting? Or…
~Bryan
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NerdyMommy posted the following on February 17, 2009 at 5:03 am.
Very thought provoking points of view from both Rory and Jennifer. I happen to disagree with Rory, because I feel that ADD absolutely is part of who I am as a person – not the “disorder”, but the personality qualities, good and bad, that are mine by way of ADD.
ADD an excuse for Michael’s behavior? Nah. It’s not an excuse for anything… but it may be part of the reason why he was less able than some other people to resist the impulse to smoke pot. Also why he didn’t pause to consider the possible implications of his actions, given his celebrity status. I think what irritated me about the media coverage in all of this was how such a huge deal was made about how he ‘overcame’ ADHD to become a huge success – and yet, when he messes up, no one mentions the idea that he was more likely to do something like this because of his ADHD. If it can be something to ‘overcome’, then why, when someone makes a mistake, can it not be at least partially attributed to it? I mean, yes, he’s great… but isn’t he greater because, on top of being this world class swimmer, he also ‘suffers’ from ADD? Isn’t that part of what pushes him up even further in the public eye? Why is that ok, for everyone to hold him even higher because he has to deal with ADHD – and then not allow anyone to use it as an explanation for his behavior? You can’t have it both ways. If his ADHD is reason to hold him as even greater than he is, then it’s also reason to explain his poor decisions. Last I heard, you couldn’t cure ADHD with gold medals – even eight of them
betsy davenport posted the following on March 14, 2009 at 4:43 pm.
Yes, yes, yes. The ADD “community” was so happy to take Phelps to their bosom in what I found an oily kind of association by virtue of a diagnosis. He inspired people who have AD/HD.
Why, I have no idea, except as my daughter put it — which was not how others put it — he is a great swimmer not because of his AD/HD, but in spite of it. To suggest AD/HD makes him better is to take away from his success.
So, my point is, he was used by the AD/HD people. Now that, as NerdyMommy says, he’s run into trouble, what now? The silence has been deafening. If he is “ours,” then why is no one really talking about him?
So he smoked some dope; lots of people do; even, as Koretsky says, she herself! Wow, lots of people with AD/HD have smoked dope. Some still do. It is not medicine. It is illegal. Now it is being suggested that poor judgment is irrelevant to anyone’s cognitive impairments? That’s not even vaguely sensible.
Because many people who do not have AD/HD also smoke dope does not make it normal, okay, legal, and without risk. That is the point. Many people without AD/HD can likely get away with it better because they have different brains to begin with. Or, they may have better judgment under its influence.
But add a DUI, outrageous behavior in Las Vegas, heavy partying — he is 23 and a serious person. Yes, he goofed. He said so. Why is it not all right to say it may well have something to do with untreated AD/HD? Kids who grow up with AD/HD and no medication are more likely by far to use illicit substances. Couldn’t some reporter have done that story?
I want to barf at the hypocrisy of our peers with AD/HD. Isn’t he great??!!? As a swimmer, yes.
Bryan posted the following on March 17, 2009 at 12:06 pm.
I guess we just have to agree to disagree on that one Betsy. I think he is great with or without ADHD, his follies and his successes. I think he is great as a person, as a human being, as a person who makes mistakes like the rest of us. I don’t separate ADHD from the person. I think I understand your position though.
I must; however, agree with you that too many in our community, but not just the ADHD community, are quick to embrace success and shun those who make mistakes or a mockery of themselves. We all fumble sometimes… gosh, I know I have. I must say though, folks with ADHD seem to have a much higher tolerance for mistakes and are far quicker to give of themselves and forgive.
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Very thought provoking points of view from both Rory and Jennifer. I happen to disagree with Rory, because I feel that ADD absolutely is part of who I am as a person – not the “disorder”, but the personality qualities, good and bad, that are mine by way of ADD.
ADD an excuse for Michael’s behavior? Nah. It’s not an excuse for anything… but it may be part of the reason why he was less able than some other people to resist the impulse to smoke pot. Also why he didn’t pause to consider the possible implications of his actions, given his celebrity status. I think what irritated me about the media coverage in all of this was how such a huge deal was made about how he ‘overcame’ ADHD to become a huge success – and yet, when he messes up, no one mentions the idea that he was more likely to do something like this because of his ADHD. If it can be something to ‘overcome’, then why, when someone makes a mistake, can it not be at least partially attributed to it? I mean, yes, he’s great… but isn’t he greater because, on top of being this world class swimmer, he also ‘suffers’ from ADD? Isn’t that part of what pushes him up even further in the public eye? Why is that ok, for everyone to hold him even higher because he has to deal with ADHD – and then not allow anyone to use it as an explanation for his behavior? You can’t have it both ways. If his ADHD is reason to hold him as even greater than he is, then it’s also reason to explain his poor decisions. Last I heard, you couldn’t cure ADHD with gold medals – even eight of them
Reply to NerdyMommyYes, yes, yes. The ADD “community” was so happy to take Phelps to their bosom in what I found an oily kind of association by virtue of a diagnosis. He inspired people who have AD/HD.
Why, I have no idea, except as my daughter put it — which was not how others put it — he is a great swimmer not because of his AD/HD, but in spite of it. To suggest AD/HD makes him better is to take away from his success.
So, my point is, he was used by the AD/HD people. Now that, as NerdyMommy says, he’s run into trouble, what now? The silence has been deafening. If he is “ours,” then why is no one really talking about him?
So he smoked some dope; lots of people do; even, as Koretsky says, she herself! Wow, lots of people with AD/HD have smoked dope. Some still do. It is not medicine. It is illegal. Now it is being suggested that poor judgment is irrelevant to anyone’s cognitive impairments? That’s not even vaguely sensible.
Because many people who do not have AD/HD also smoke dope does not make it normal, okay, legal, and without risk. That is the point. Many people without AD/HD can likely get away with it better because they have different brains to begin with. Or, they may have better judgment under its influence.
But add a DUI, outrageous behavior in Las Vegas, heavy partying — he is 23 and a serious person. Yes, he goofed. He said so. Why is it not all right to say it may well have something to do with untreated AD/HD? Kids who grow up with AD/HD and no medication are more likely by far to use illicit substances. Couldn’t some reporter have done that story?
I want to barf at the hypocrisy of our peers with AD/HD. Isn’t he great??!!? As a swimmer, yes.
Reply to betsy davenportI guess we just have to agree to disagree on that one Betsy. I think he is great with or without ADHD, his follies and his successes. I think he is great as a person, as a human being, as a person who makes mistakes like the rest of us. I don’t separate ADHD from the person. I think I understand your position though.
I must; however, agree with you that too many in our community, but not just the ADHD community, are quick to embrace success and shun those who make mistakes or a mockery of themselves. We all fumble sometimes… gosh, I know I have. I must say though, folks with ADHD seem to have a much higher tolerance for mistakes and are far quicker to give of themselves and forgive.
Bryan
Reply to Bryan