“In the Same Boat as Me” By Meghan Cobourn On the surface, it would appear that Evan McCarthy is your average, talented sailor. With years of experience on Broadneck High School’s racing team and a US Sailing Level 2 Instructor certification under his belt, it would be easy to think that he was born in a catboat wearing a life jacket! Yet a peek behind the curtain reveals a different story: One of an individual with Learning Differences who discovered how the sport of sailing could change his life forever. “I have severe but properly treated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety,” said Evan, “I was diagnosed around first grade, back in a time when little was known about these Learning Differences.” School, home, friends, everything was complicated by the constant struggle for my attention. At the time, Evan was labeled an undisciplined problem child. The approach was to punish without trying to work with and understand him. It became obvious early on that punishment was not working as a motivator. It only created anger and loss of self-esteem. With the help of his child therapist, Evan discovered that helping others gave him the confidence and pride he was seeking. It was now time to find him […]
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