I noticed the other day that a stock analyst had upgraded the stock of Famous Dave’s restaurants (Stock Symbol: DAVE) and that reminded me of an article I had read about the founder of this company. Dave Anderson wasn’t always famous. A decade ago Anderson overcame his addictions and went onto build a barbecue restaurants chain with 87 locations in 23 states and $90.8 million last year.
The article didn’t mention his Attention Deficit Disorder until the very end of the article. Here’s a quote from the article:
“Anderson, who also has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, made light of the negative messages he heard as he grew up.
For example, the teachers used to tell him that he was always daydreaming.
“Today it’s called visioning,” he said.
Growing up, he wasn’t able to focus on any one project at a time.
“Today it’s called multi-tasking,” Anderson said. ”
Article: ‘Famous Dave’ Didn’t Start That Way
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-ADHD Dad
Ty Pennington, the host of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be answering calls along with some of the nation’s top ADHD authorities at the toll-free telephone hotline, 1-888-ASK-ADHD on August 9th, 2004. Shire US Inc. will host the sixth annual ADHD Experts on Call Monday,from 8 A.M. to midnight EDT.
http://www.adhdexpertsoncall.com/
Here’s a little Ty trivia. Did you know Ty’s mom is a licensed psychologist?
A quote from her site, http://www.psychology.am/:
“Dr. Yvonne V. Pennington is a licensed psychologist, ADHD and Depression Therapy Specialist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist / supervisor, and certified sandplay therapist. With 30 years experience she is able to assist couples, families and individuals to effectively change behavior. Particularly skilled with ADD / ADHD (attention deficit disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) children and adults, she works with both kids groups and ADHD adult individuals to facilitate behavior management changes and positive role modeling.”
Oregonian newspaper reporter Kristi Turnquist wrote a great article the other day that can be viewed online. The Title of the article is, Building awareness of ADHD and it features Ty Pennington of “Trading Spaces” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition“.
Ty recently appeared in a classroom of Sherwood Middle School for a question and answer session. An unusual spot to find such a busy TV star, even more unusual was how he ended up there in this town of less than 10,000 people.
Cathy Jensen, school psychologist sent an e-mail to Ty back in September was hoping he would at least send an e-mail back to her. Cathy was shocked at Ty’s response, he wanted to visit the school and meet with the students enrolled in the school’s Bridge Program, a classroom of students with mental and behavioral issues such as ADHD.
Ty shared about growing up with ADHD and how his life changed when he found the right treatment that worked for him, in this case Adderall XR.
Here’s a quote from the article:
Standing before the Sherwood Middle School class, Pennington looks much as he does on TV, tall and lean, wearing casual jeans and an outdoorsy jacket. He’s cheerful, even when talking about serious topics. The students listen attentively as Pennington tells them what an out-of-control kid he was. “One day my mom sat down in the hallway and just broke down crying,” he says, “because I was such a handful and a nightmare.”
You can read the complete article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1100696131146760.xml
A recent article published by the American Psychological Association asks the question “What if Einstein had taken Ritalin?”. More specifically, the article speculates how Einstein and Edison would have been affected if they had been taken Ritalin for their learning disabilities. If they had been on Ritalin, would they still have made the historical discoveries they are credited for?
This is the first time I’ve read that Chicago DJ, Erich “Mancow” Mueller had ADHD and his parents refused to give him Ritalin. He struggled through school, but now excels as a fast talking, wise guy radio personality.
Bottom line of the article: Ritalin or other drugs to treat ADHD will dull inspiration and creativity.
You can read it at: What if Einstein had taken Ritalin? ADHD’s impact on creativity
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeThe following article appeared in an issue of the Baltimore Sun. It mentions the fact that as a child, Michael Phelps was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He managed to use his high energy level to become an Olympic Champion, winning 6 gold and 2 bronze medals during the 2004 Summer Olympics.
A reluctant prodigy
Michael Phelps had to be dragged onto the road to swimming greatness.
By Paul McMullen
Sun Staff
August 8, 2004
On the second Wednesday of 2004, Michael Phelps took his first solo business trip. Taking direction from a crew filming a commercial in Malibu, he splashed in the Pacific. Then Phelps hustled back across the country for a brief stop at his Rodgers Forge home before returning to Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
After two days of low-key competition at Auburn University, he unwound on Sunday night. Powerful enough to schmooze with CEOs but too young to experience Happy Hour, Phelps headed to his hotel bar, not to imbibe but to play arcade games.
With his mother as chaperone, Phelps set his jaw, worked a joystick and tried to crush a handful of teammates, one a 13-year-old girl.
“I can change from being a kid,” he said, “to being a professional. That’s something I’ve learned to do over the past few years.”
Phelps is among a tiny group of teens who became world-class athletes before they had a chance to grow up. His was a case of the stereotypical boy who couldn’t draw within the lines finding a niche in a sport defined by its lanes. Read more »
Danielle Fisher recently climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, an accomplishment that made her the youngest person to scale the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. At 20 years of age she took the record from Britton Keeshan (age 22) who climbed the Seven Summits last year. The youngest woman to complete all seven climbs before Danielle was 33 years old.
Quite a feat for a young woman with all the distractions of a young college student. Even more inspirational is the fact that Danielle was diagnosed with Attention Defict Disorder when she was in 6th grade. Focusing on her goal and reaching it proves that children with ADD get do great things!
Here’s a quote from her website:
“Before being diagnosed with ADD in the sixth grade, Danielle recalls that “I was never really great at school. I was smart, but easily distracted and had a hard time turning in assignments.” She has tackled this disability as just another mountain; going at it with determination, strength, and a good support team, including friends, family and counselor.
Danielle says of her diagnosis and treatment, “You have to find a balance between knowing that you need help, and making an effort to push through yourself. I realize that medication helps me. It certainly makes it easier to focus, but I also have to make the personal effort to make my dreams possible.””
Danielle offers this advice for kids and adults with ADD/ADHD:
“Discover what your passions are, because when you are enjoying what you are doing, or working towards something you are excited about, you will be able to focus on that goal. I don’t enjoy every moment I am on the mountain, but the energy and excitement of getting to the top keeps me moving.”
This young woman proves that having ADD/ADHD shouldn’t hold you back from accomplishing your goals. With enough focus, determination and support from friends and family you can conquer the mountains in your life.
http://www.daniellefisher.com/index.cfm
ADHD Dad | July 8, 2008
