Lighting the way

Michael Stone lives in the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento. His life is similar to other teenagers around town—he plays basketball, loves the drums and attends Sacramento City College. Since he was four, however, Stone has taken medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The disorder made it tough in school when he was younger, but he’s thriving as a young man. On January 19, Michael will carry the Olympic torch through Sacramento. The Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee has selected Michael—along with others across the country who have overcome adversity—to carry the torch that will eventually make it to Salt Lake City for the 2002 games.

Do you have favorite memories of the Olympics and if so, what are they?

When I used to watch the Olympics as a kid, I would put everything down that I was doing and give it my full attention. My favorite event would have been an archer shooting a lit arrow into the fire pit at the top of the arena (in the opening ceremony). Then (the athletes) would run to the top and light the torch.

Would you ever like to compete in the Olympics and if so, in what sport?

If I ever had the chance to compete in the Olympics, that would be a dream come true for me. I excel in basketball—being 6’6” helps—and I love soccer and swimming. But I might have to compete in the running long jump because when I was in the third grade I got a silver medal in the regional Jessie Owens games for that event.

Why were you selected to carry the torch in the Sacramento area?

I was nominated by my Mom. In order to be nominated you have to have overcome some kind of adversity. I have ADHD. My life was really complicated and I really didn’t do well in school at all. What pointed me in the right direction was gardening and music. When other teens in Oak Park were gangbanging and doing drugs I was growing food at the Oak Park Community Garden. That garden is gone now, so I garden at the Ron Mandella Community Garden, which also might be gone in a few years. I’ve also been playing drums for nine years. Drumming was great for me because I would use all my excess energy in a positive way. I’ve been in a few bands too.

What’s it like to have ADHD?

When I was younger, it was really hard on me having this disorder because I could not focus on my schooling. It was also really hard to make friends. Kids my age used to treat me bad because they didn’t know what was wrong with me. Along with my ADHD I also had oppositional defiant disorder, which really used to drive my teachers crazy. I always had to sit in the front of the room so the teacher could watch my every move. I have since grown out of most of these disorders, but it is still hard for me. I have to study much longer than most students, probably four to five hours to their one hour.

What are the worst drugs you’ve had to take in association with the condition and what was the worst side effect?

I’ve taken a lot of drugs for ADHD. It all started when I was 4 years old. Clonidine was probably the worst because I would sleep through most of my classes, which was another reason I didn’t learn anything. Ritalin had a weird side effect of making sores show up on my face. We stopped that after two days. Other drugs had side effects too, but not that bad.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I play basketball and play my drums a lot. I read music, so I’m always working on new beats. I have some really talented friends that I spend time with too.

What are you studying at school? What do you hope to do for a living after school?

My main course of study at school is general educations at the moment. I just got my G.E.D. two months ago. The fields that I am interested in are environmental studies, landscape architecture, recording arts and engineering. My plans after college are to either get a job or go to graduate school. I’m also scanning the Net, looking for scholarships. I’m sure that if my ADHD hadn’t interfered with my schooling, I would have gotten a basketball or music scholarship. At this point in my life there seems to be a lot of options, as far as careers go, but whatever I pick, I’m sure I’ll be very successful at it.