I was pretty much mesmerized as I watched the story of snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who suffered traumatic brain injury as the result of a snowboarding accident this past New Year's Eve. Pearce's family was interviewed by Tom Brokaw for a special segment aired earlier this week on NBC.
Pearce was injured while training for the Olympics qualifier, and has spent the time since recovering and rehabilitating from the accident, a much-changed young man.
I thought again of Kevin Pearce when a colleague mentioned that he thinks that might be suicide prevention work to do related to the Olympics. For many elite athletes, these games are their last. They will be retiring from competition whether or not they medal.
For those who do win, "life after gold" may not be what they expected. The Olympic spotlight shines brightest during the games. For some, I imagine, things are much dimmer outside of the spotlight.
What might need to be done to prevent depression or suicide for elite athletes?
For one, making sure that there's something other than sport in these athletes' lives. Family and other support networks seem crucial.
Pearce's family struck me as incredibly strong in general, but particularly in the face of such adversity. I thought about how much support Kevin must feel from such a family, how much hope he must have for his future. Although his life is forever changed by his accident, he has people who want him to be around for a long time - ideally, as he was before his accident, talking, walking, an elite athlete - but ultimately who will accept him as he will be, no matter what.
It's this acceptance that may be a critical element in keeping people whose entire lives are about being the best okay with just being. Pearce's family saw him and continues to see him as a whole person. I have to think that if Kevin had made the team, competed, and lost, his family wouldn't think any less of him. His success and talent as a snowboarder were just part of him, not all of him.
Most likely, what Kevin experiences with his family is "belongingness," connection that makes it clear what an important person he is in the world. What are some ways we might promote belongingness on a large scale?
Copyright 2010 Elana Premack Sandler, All Rights Reserved
