Michael Phelps is one of us!
Just under two weeks ago, I posted here about the coverage of record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps seeming to omit reference to top Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson, who has an equal tally of 11 gold medals to her name.
Well, it's amazing what facts you discover when you're least expecting it. Here's one I came across last night, whilst rounding off the long Bank Holiday weekend watching 91Èȱ¬ comedy quiz show Mock the Week on iPlayer.
Michael Phelps is disabled! He has ADHD! He was diagnosed when he was 9 years old!
You can read more about Michael Phelps in this long article from , including how he handled his ADHD while he was growing up.
Comment number 1.
At 27th Aug 2008, The_Chunky_KitKat wrote:It is good for people with brain conditions to be highlighted like this since most people who don't stand out are seen as 'disabled' because of their condition.
These people are examples of having what some describe as a 'disability' can in fact be a gift in another way.
For many years I had temporal lobe epilepsy but was treated as less capable than the average worker due to the uncontrolled nature of the seizures which only accounted for about 1% of the total time at reduced capacity and the remaining 99% of the time I was more active than others and outperformed people as I had a gift in mathematics and was able to do some A-level maths in junior school. 99% of my capacity is much more than 100% of the average person's capacity but some people wouldn't accept me for it.
Unfortunately, I was subjected to years of oppression and never given the chance to make the most of my potential; so many people continue to underestimate it. However, more recently there are some people who are beginning to see there is more underneath which will come to light if I am given the necessary reward, recognition and respect I deserve and I am starting to rise above many.
I will never stand out like I did prior to having epilepsy (and don't intend to as I keep myself to myself) but am pleased when news like this breaks out.
It would be good if there was something for the unsung heroes who have exceptional talents and have achieved something by putting their potential to use in other ways to fight these barriers if they were not given equal opportunities since getting a decent life with all the extra hurdles can be more of an achievement than many.
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Comment number 2.
At 28th Aug 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:I am happy that Michael Phelps has disability!
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Comment number 3.
At 5th Sep 2008, hackerjack wrote:This is the danger with the term 'disabled'.
It is unfair to lump all people with disabilities together for obvious reasons. Someone with ADHD has nowhere near the same problems as somene with MS.
Equally though the severity of conditions needs to put things i perspective.
Would Phelps count himself as disabled? I doubt it, and so he shouldn't. He has clearly managed to get past the problem and it does not disable him from doing anything.
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