ADHD: good, bad, or neutral?

The smashing success of 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has brought a new angle to the debate about the positives and negatives of mental illness.

Children with the disorder typically have trouble sitting still and paying attention. But they may also have boundless energy and a laserlike focus on favorite things — qualities that could be very helpful in, say, an Olympic athlete.

For that reason, some doctors are pushing for a new view that focuses on the potential strengths of the disorder. Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, a psychiatrist and author whose books include “Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder From Childhood Through Adulthood” (Touchstone, 1995), says the current “deficit-based medical model” of the disorder results in low-self esteem.

“It’s not an unmitigated blessing, but neither is it an unmitigated curse, which is usually the way it’s presented,” said Dr. Hallowell, who has the disorder himself. “I have been treating this condition for 25 years and I know that if you manage it right, this apparent deficit can become an asset. I think of it as a trait and not a disability.”

Michael's mother Debbie - who had almost as much TV-screen time as her son - took part in a discussion on coping with the disorder. Debbie is also featured on this page on Facebook.

the 28th Olympiad

I've been preoccupied with many things to devote much time to blogging these days, but I do want to reflect back on the Summer Olympics. China did exactly what it wanted to do: provide incredible venues for the Games, give us some ceremonies to remember, and totally dominate the medal stand. I can't say that I'll think back fondly on the closing ceremony (BTW, wasn't that Jackie Chan singing with that boy band?), but I can't imagine how London can top what Beijing was able to produce for its opening ceremony. I have to point out, however, that China could have done so much more by showing a willingness to be "open," instead of silencing dissenting voices and arresting those who dared pray.

But we must return to the opening ceremony. 2008 drummers in unison? That fantastic scroll? That perfect-looking girl lipsynching to the words sung by some buck-toothed girl? Those enhanced fireworks displays? The host nation may be a Communist, but the opening ceremony incoporated much of China's cultural, historical, philosophical, and (yes) religious history. Will London attempt anything like that, or will we just hear a lot of music by the Beatles, the Who, and the Stones? If the closing ceremony in Beijing gives us any indication, we'll be seeing lots of umbrellas and double-decker buses four years from now.

Many of the athletes became household names, but none more so than Michael Phelps of the U.S. and Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Phelps dominated the first week, winning eight gold medals in as many events. If you want to know how to beat somebody by 0.01 seconds, Phelps shows you how. He's the current cover-boy of Sports Illustrated, striking a pose similar to the one made by Mark Spitz in 1972 when he won a mere seven gold medals. If Phelps was the god of the waters, then surely Bolt was the god of the air. Every time he ran in a final, he won a gold medal and destroyed the world record. Apparently, he also has the power to improve a few Hollywood films. I had to stop and think: how fast can someone really run?

The U.S. team sports did very well. There's been much talk about the supposed "redemption" of the basketball team, but I have to think that they were fairly lucky to beat Spain out for the gold this time. I am much more impressed by the men's water polo team, who secured a silver medal when they weren't even supposed to get very far. I am much more impressed by the men's volleyball team, who won gold for a coach who had lost his father-in-law just as the Games were getting underway. I am much more impressed by both beach volleyball teams, who knew what it was like to turn golden while wearing skimpy clothing in the Beijing sunlight (well, the women wore skimpy clothes...). I am much more impressed by the men's gymnastic team, who lost two of their star players - the Hamm brothers - just before the Games began but were still able to secure the bronze medal (thanks largely to this dude's efforts).

Anyway, thanks, Beijing. We've seen how China does the Olympics, and now it's the Brits' turn.

the Games have begun!

Did you watch the opening ceremony? If you didn't, you missed quite the show, so here are some photos for you to enjoy.

Joey Cheek denied China visit

Joey Cheek, one of my favorite athletes from the 2006 Winter Olympics, planned to go to China but has been told his travel visa has been revoked.

The Team Darfur co-founder had planned to fly to China on Wednesday to join dozens of Beijing Olympics athletes who plan to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan... Cheek, a speedskating gold and silver medalist at the Turin Winter Olympics, had planned to attend the Beijing Games to help draw attention the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

Cheek released a statement:

I am saddened not to be able to attend the Games. The Olympic Games represent something powerful: that people can come together from around the world and do things that no one thought were possible. However, the denial of my visa is a part of a systemic effort by the Chinese government to coerce and threaten athletes who are speaking out on behalf of the innocent people of Darfur. Team Darfur’s main efforts have been to advocate for an Olympic Truce for Darfur, and to raise awareness about the crisis and ask for lasting peace on behalf of the children of Darfur.

The Olympic Truce captures the spirit of the Olympics: around the Games, the world should come together to work for peace and speak out against conflict. The Chinese government’s efforts to suppress athletes, even those who are competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who speak about essential human rights issues, is a violation of that core Olympic spirit.

The 2008 Olympic Games begin this Friday, August 8, in Beijing, China.