--- title: Skaters with learning disabilities and ADHD take the ice at Winter Olympics description: 'The 2018 Winter Olympics features figure skaters with learning disabilities and ADHD: Gabrielle Daleman and Zach Donohue. Learn about them here.' slug: skaters-with-learning-disabilities-and-adhd-take-the-ice-at-winter-olympics author: Tara Drinks published: '2019-10-07T15:19:51.938Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/3XzTFRgP0gtelVhR1cyXjX/89177ccc9978f0e6020a908e46030825/Celebrity_Thumbnail_21.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/skaters-with-learning-disabilities-and-adhd-take-the-ice-at-winter-olympics lang: en --- # Skaters with learning disabilities and ADHD take the ice at Winter Olympics Figure skating is one of the most iconic sports of the Winter Olympics. And this year, two skaters who learn and think differently — Gabrielle Daleman and Zach Donohue — are going to be in the spotlight. Growing up, figure skater Gabrielle Daleman was bullied and struggled with self-esteem. The 20-year-old Canadian has a learning disability that causes her trouble with reading and writing. In an [interview with CBC](https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/gabrielle-daleman-figure-skating-olympic-recovery-1.4483961), she said that when she was a young child, “Kids were always making fun of how I couldn’t read properly and couldn’t write.” But Daleman excelled in other areas, like math, gymnastics and of course, ice skating. Learning disabilities aren’t the only challenges Daleman has faced. She also struggled with body image issues growing up. And in the weeks leading up to this year’s games, she had to undergo major surgery for an abdominal cyst. Obstacles like these have given Daleman the drive to keep competing. Ice dancer Zach Donohue has a different story to tell. The 27-year-old and his partner, Madison Hubbell, stunned the skating world by winning the 2018 U.S. National Championships in January. However, few know that his passion for skating may have started with his ADHD. His mom, Dee Eggert, says Donohue struggled with ADHD as a child but found himself on the ice. “The main reason we got him involved in skating—it was something that he loved,” Eggert [told WNPR](https://www.ctpublic.org/sports/2018-02-05/connecticut-shoreline-town-is-unlikely-hotbed-of-winter-olympic-athletes). “It was something that he was good at, and he really wasn’t good at competitive team sports.” Daleman and Donohue aren’t the first figure skaters who learn and think differently to compete at the Winter Games. Meryl Davis, who won a gold medal in ice dancing at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, has dyslexia. She and her partner, Charlie White, are the most decorated ice dancers in U.S. history. Though she’s not competing anymore, Davis continues to skate in performances and will be providing Olympic commentary for Team USA. The 2018 Winter Olympics kick off Friday, February 9, in Pyeongchang, South Korea. --- Learn about more [athletes who learn and think differently](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/athletes-who-learn-and-think-differently), including [Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/celebrity-spotlight-how-michael-phelps-adhd-helped-him-make-olympic-history). *Any opinions, views, information and other content contained in blogs on Understood.org are the sole responsibility of the writer of the blog, and do not necessarily reflect the views, values, opinions or beliefs of, and are not endorsed by, Understood.* --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Video: Michelle Carter wins Olympic gold with dyslexia and ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-michelle-carter-wins-olympic-gold-with-dyslexia-and-adhd) - Michelle Carter grew up with dyslexia and ADHD. Reading and spelling were a challenge for her \(they still are\), and she struggled to pay attention in school. Then she found her passion and talent: track and field. It motivated her to do well enough in school to be able to continue competing. And it - [Students who learn and think differently share their New Year’s goals](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/big-hopes-for-2016-students-with-learning-and-thinking-differences-share-their-goals) - The New Year is a great time for kids who learn and think differently to set goals and get inspired about the future. We asked seven students in middle school through college to share their hopes for the upcoming year. The students are all part of the Eye to Eye mentoring network. Heres what they sa - [Alaskan family uses passion for longboard skateboarding to put the spotlight on dyslexia](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/alaskan-family-uses-passion-for-longboard-skateboarding-to-put-the-spotlight-on-dyslexia) - Skateboarding and dyslexia. These two topics arent usually thought of together. But they are by the Conner family of Anchorage, Alaska. All three Conner kids have dyslexia. In the journey to help the kids, the family has focused on the unique pairing. Theyve also discovered a way to advocate for ot --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/skaters-with-learning-disabilities-and-adhd-take-the-ice-at-winter-olympics#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/skaters-with-learning-disabilities-and-adhd-take-the-ice-at-winter-olympics","description":"The 2018 Winter Olympics features figure skaters with learning disabilities and ADHD: Gabrielle Daleman and Zach Donohue. 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