Skating for Attention Deficit Disorder

Skaters in the News

Skating for Attention Deficit Disorder

Skater Plans Fundraising Journey From L.A. to New York

Planet Report

Michael Sandler plans to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records this summer by becoming the first person to skate from Los Angeles to New York City.

But making it into the record books may be the easy part.

He's also planning to raise $1 million for Attention Deficit Disorder.

The Colorado man has mapped a circuitous route for Blade Across America. From California, he'll cut through Arizona, Texas and a few of the Southern states before heading up the East Coast.

He plans to reach New York in 40 days, skating 100 miles a day.

It will be Sandler's second Attention Deficit Disorder fund-raiser. In the summer of 2004, he cycled 5000 miles for ADD.

"Despite 50 flats, record cold and rain, two tornadoes, one crash, a bear, countless rattlesnakes, two cracked teeth, a fever, body-rash, and having both feet harpooned by bolts that shot through my shoes, I made it to D.C.," he says.

Sandler has ADD and is a coach for others with the syndrome.

He hopes through media coverage of his journey to spread a positive message about ADD, which is characterized by impulsiveness and a short attention span.

Sandler says a better name for the syndrome would be "Attention Inconsistency."

"Attention Deficit Disorder is a misnomer," he says. "When our brains latch onto an idea we can focus on it better than anyone else in the world."

He is preparing for his trip with a rigorous training program, consisting of "three to four skating sessions a day, a bicycle ride each and every day, hiking or running once or twice daily, Pilates, calisthenics, plus swimming, weight lifting and balance work."

He says the Guinness Book has already approved his world record attempt.

He hopes to raise money by signing up sponsors and donors. (Sign up here.)

(posted on Jan. 26, 2006)