- by Shawn Goggins

James Donaldson Photo: Wikipedia

ELLENSBURG - Retired NBA All-Star James Donaldson is one of Ellensburg’s newest residents and the community is already welcoming him with open arms.

After retiring from basketball in 1999, the 15-year NBA veteran has transitioned from the hardcourt to mental health advocacy.

James Donaldson

On Monday, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of Donaldson to the county’s board of health.

Donaldson holds a sociology degree from Washington State University and is the founder and director of Your Gift of Life Foundation. Your Gift of Life Foundation is a non-profit that focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The foundation was formed in light of the former WSU quarterback Tyler Hilinski’s suicide in 2018.

64-year-old Donaldson reportedly has overcome his personal struggles with mental health and is fervent about helping others do the same.

Donaldson was the longtime owner of the Donaldson Clinic, a physical rehab center in Mill Creek, Washington. 
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/he-aimed-for-the-hoop-on-sports-biggest-stages-hes-now-aiming-to-save-lives-on-kittitas-countys-health-board-meet-james-donaldson/

By ETHAN ENNALS FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

People left disabled by #spinal-cord injuries are being ‘abandoned’ by #NHS #mentalhealthservices, despite being far more likely to suffer severe #depression.

#Doctors and campaigners are now calling for urgent action as new data shows a third of sufferers frequently think about taking their own life - yet only a third have been able to access adequate #mentalhealthsupport.

The findings of the study, carried out by the University of Reading and the #SpinalInjuries Association, were presented in Parliament last week at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Spinal Cord Injuries.

The Mail on Sunday has learned of a number of harrowing cases, including a mother-of-two who was offered no treatment for depression after being left paralysed by a disease that destroyed her spinal cord. 

Despite her struggles – and the fact that her 14-year-old son tried to take his own life due to the stress of their situation – she said mental health support was ‘never even mentioned’ by anyone assigned to care for her.+3View gallery

Former teacher Donna Tuzul, 52, from Bournemouth, says there was 'no mention at all' of mental health support for depression  after a nerve disease destroyed her spinal cord and left her paralysed in a wheelchair

Another 25-year-old woman left paralysed from the waist down in early 2020 after falling off a chair at work and hitting her back on a desk was unable to access mental health support for more than a year, and suffered multiple breakdowns and ‘constant suicidal thoughts’ before her GP provided a referral. 

We also learned of how a 19-year-old who lost the use of his legs after a motorcycle accident spiralled into alcohol and opioid painkiller addiction after being offered no mental support.

Dr Katherine Finlay, a psychologist at the University of Reading, said: ‘People with spinal-cord injuries regularly experience clinical anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. 

'Mental ill health is a hidden epidemic among people with chronic illness and injury. The NHS must do something to tackle it.’

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Experts say new guidance must be drawn up as soon as possible giving these patients immediate access to a specialist psychotherapist, as well as lifelong check-ups.

Nik Hartley, CEO of the Spinal Injuries Association, said: ‘The mental health of these patients is an afterthought and, at worst, completely ignored by the medical profession. We need urgent action.’

There are an estimated 50,000 people in the UK living with a spinal-cord injury. Each year approximately 2,500 people join this list with a new injury.

The spinal cord communicates messages to and from the brain with all areas of the body. 

An injury can interrupt these, leading to partial or full loss of movement in parts of the body so can be life-changing. 

Patients often need a wheelchair, suffer pain and fatigue, and suffer from bladder, bowel and sexual-function issues. As a result, many will require full-time care.+3View gallery

NHS guidance states that spinal-cord injury patients should be offered a mental health check-up every six months for two years after their diagnosis, but experts warn this doesn't always happen

The most common causes of spinal injuries are road accidents, falls, violent attacks, sports injuries and domestic accidents. 

NHS guidance states that spinal-cord injury patients should be offered a mental health check-up every six months for two years after their diagnosis.

But Dr Finlay says this often does not happen. ‘A lot of the time we hear these sessions are entirely focused on physical health. What’s more, four sessions over two years is not nearly enough. These patients need lifelong, rapid support.’

Kathryn Hill, director of programmes at the Spinal Injuries Association, says: ‘There is nothing there to support these patients following a catastrophic life-changing event. They have to work out what happens next on their own.’

Donna Tuzul, 52, says there was ‘no mention at all’ of mental health support after a nerve disease left her paralysed in a wheelchair. 

The former teacher from Bournemouth was diagnosed with cauda equina, a rare condition that compresses the very end of the spinal cord and can lead to permanent nerve damage, in 2015 after she was admitted to hospital with severe back pain.

‘I was told that by the time I got to hospital it was too late to do anything. The surgeon told me I would be paralysed even if I had an operation there and then. I walked into hospital, and left three months later in a wheelchair.’+3View gallery

There are an estimated 50,000 people in the UK living with a spinal-cord injury. The spinal cord communicates messages to and from the brain with all areas of the body

Donna says her life irreversibly changed. ‘I couldn’t even get into my kitchen at first because of the wheelchair. I couldn’t cook for my children, I couldn’t put them to bed.’ 

Before her illness, she lived an active life. The sudden change left her ‘in a very dark place’. 

Her son, now 18 who was 12 at the time, began to self-harm. At 14, he tried to take his own life. 

Despite this, Donna, who also has a daughter aged 14, says: ‘Mental health treatment wasn’t mentioned by my doctors or carers who visited each day.’

Eventually, Donna requested to see a therapist through her GP but says: ‘The therapist gave me breathing exercises, but I didn’t that, I needed someone who could understand what I was going through and could give me practical advice.

‘I needed someone closer to a bereavement councillor because it felt like I’d lost my life.’

For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a Samaritans branch 
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-spineinjury-patients-are-left-feeling-abandoned-by-nhs-mentalhealth-units-as-new-study-shows-a-third-of-sufferers-have-considered-taking-their-own-life/

Join James Donaldson on Standing Above the Crowd sports talk radio show

Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10am (PST)

Special Guest: Former Washington State University and NFL Running Back Reuben Mayes  

Listen to the show live at 347-205-9631

or

Call in and submit your questions to the live show at 347-205-9631

 

Reuben Mayes brief information

- Two-time Pac 10 Offensive Player of the Year
- Two-time consensus All American-Football
- 1984 NCAA Single Game Rushing Record (357)
- 1984 NCAA Two Game Rushing Record (573)
- 1985 Harry Jerome Award (African Canadian leader for contribution to athletics, community service, academics)
- 10th Heisman voting 1984
- NFL Rookie of the Year
- Two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection
- Washington State University Athletics Hall of Fame
- New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
- 2008 National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Class
- 2017 Inland Empire Sports Hall of Fame
- 2012 Mayes Field dedication at North Battleford Comprehensive High School
- 2012 Co-Author “Innovation in Health Care-A Community Based Solution
- 2014 TEDX WSU Presenter: Fundraising 101 on YouTube (282,722 views)
- 2021Completed successful Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation Next Era of Excellence Campaign ($7.6 M raised)

Listen to the show live at 347-205-9631

or

Call in and submit your questions to the live show at 347-205-9631
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/tune-in-and-listen-saturday-february-12-2022-at-10ampst-to-standing-above-the-crowd-with-james-donaldson-with-special-guest-former-nfl-and-washington-state-university-running-back-reuben-mayes/

Self Harm

Around 80% of #adolescents who died by #suicide or who had self-harmed had consulted with their GP or a practice #nurse in the preceding year, shows new research.

The large study of 10 to 19-year-olds between 2003 and 2018, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, also puts forward a series of proposals to deal with the problem.

The study, funded by the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (NIHR GM PSTRC), a partnership between The University of Manchester and The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA).

It showed that 85% who later took their own lives consulted with their GP or a practice #nurse at least once in the preceding year; the equivalent figure was 75% for those youngsters who harmed themselves non-fatally.

Lower than expected rates of diagnosis of psychiatric illness, around a third in both groups, were probably down to a lack of contact with #mentalhealthservices, rather than an absence of psychiatric illness, argue the research team. #Depression was by far the commonest of the examined conditions among both groups, accounting for over 54% of all recorded diagnoses.

Also, while #suicide was more common in #boys, non-fatal #self-harm was more common in #girls. Two-thirds of #adolescents who died by #suicide had a history of non-fatal #self-harm.

And while self-harm risk rose incrementally with increasing levels of deprivation, #suicide risk did not.

#Suicide frequency did increase with age: two thirds occurred at 17-19. However, #adolescents who self-harmed tended to be younger: almost 65% had their first recorded episode below age 17.

The study analysed the data of 324 #adolescents who had died by #suicide and 56,008 who had self-harmed, using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, which contains interlinked general practice, hospital, and national mortality records.“

That most #adolescents who had harmed themselves or died by #suicide were known to services in the preceding year highlights how important it is to identify their pathology and adequately treat it. Ensuring timely access to effective treatment is a priority as we already know that people who experience psychiatric illnesses are at much higher risk of harming themselves or dying by #suicide

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Lukasz Cybulski„Follow me on Twitter(opens in new window)Follow me on Facebook(opens in new window)Add me on LinkedIn(opens in new window)

Lead-author Lukasz Cybulski, a GM PSTRC PhD Fellow from the University of Manchester said: “That most #adolescents who had harmed themselves or died by #suicide were known to services in the preceding year highlights how important it is to identify their pathology and adequately treat it.

Ensuring timely access to effective treatment is a priority as we already know that people who experience psychiatric illnesses are at much higher risk of harming themselves or dying by #suicide”

Co-author Dr Shruti Garg from The University of Manchester said: “Late #adolescence can be a particularly vulnerable time for young people experiencing #mentalhealth problems. Improving access and provision of transition #mentalhealthservices so that young people do not fall in the gap between CAMHS and #adult #mentalhealthservices should be a priority

Professor Nav Kapur from The University of Manchester and another of the study’s authors said: “#Suicide and #self-harm are complex #behaviours with many potential causes. In young people, bullying, bereavement, health problems, and academic pressures can all be important antecedents.

“This means that a comprehensive approach to prevention is vital and one that requires coordination between families, #schools, #socialservices, and #healthprofessionals.”

“The association between deprivation and #self-harm risk suggests that prevention must also target underlying social determinants, such as barriers to educational achievement, low income, unemployment, and crime.”

Self Harm
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-most-adolescents-dying-by-suicide-or-harming-themselves-known-to-health-services/

#Intersex #youths face a disproportionate risk of #suicide, but research shows that having one accepting #parent can reduce the risk by 55 percent.

A Progress Pride flag and rainbow flags at the Stonewall National Monument in New York, N.Y., on June 1, 2020.

#LGBTQ #youths who are also #intersex — an umbrella term that describes those whose reproductive or sexual anatomy does not fit the typical definitions of “#male” or “#female” — have a higher risk of #suicide when compared to #LGBTQ #youths who are not #intersex, according to a new report.

But researchers say there is hope, because the data also show that one thing can help significantly reduce the risk: acceptance.

The Trevor Project, a national #youth #suicideprevention and crisis intervention group, released the research Friday in a report that explores the #mentalhealth and well-being of #intersex #LGBTQ #youths.

It found that the #intersex respondents face disproportionately high rates of #mentalhealthchallenges. For example, 48 percent of #LGBTQ #intersex #youths surveyed as part of the Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on #LGBTQ #Youth #MentalHealth reported that they seriously considered #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared to 41 percent of #LGBTQ #youths who are not #intersex. 

Nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of #LGBTQ #intersex #youths reported that they had attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared to 14 percent of #LGBTQ #youths who are not #intersex. That rate was even higher for younger #LGBTQ #intersex #youths: Nearly 1 in 4 (24 percent) #youths 13 to 17 years old reported having attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared to 14 percent of #LGBTQ #intersex #youth ages 18 to 24. 

“We already know that the rates of #mentalhealthchallenges are higher for #LGBTQ #youth compared to cisgender, straight #youth, so when we compare #intersex #youth to the already high rates among #LGBTQ #youth, we know that they’re increasingly high,” said Myeshia Price, a senior research scientist at the Trevor Project.

The research found that there are a few risk factors for poor #mentalhealth among #LGBTQ #intersex #youths. For example, 18 percent reported having been subjected to conversion therapy, a discredited practice that seeks to change someone’s #sexualorientation or #genderidentity, with 12 percent reporting that the efforts were aimed at changing their #genderidentities.

#LGBTQ #intersex #youths who said someone had tried to persuade them to change their #sexualorientations or #genderidentities reported more than twice the rate of previous-year #suicideattempts (22 percent) compared to #intersex #youths who did not (9 percent).

The report noted, however, that the recommended “treatment” for #intersex people often includes medical procedures and socialization from a #young age that could be considered conversion therapy.

“For #intersex people, this may happen in such a systemic way, involving every person in the youth’s life, and starting from birth, that #intersex #youth may not even be aware that it is happening,” the report says. “This may lead #intersex #youth to under-report their experiences with conversion therapy and other change efforts by #adults in their lives.”

In response to activism by intersex people, some #doctors have recently started re-evaluating standard medical protocol, which has historically included surgery and hormonal therapy to change #intersex youths’ appearances. Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Lurie Children’s Hospital in Boston and New York City Health + Hospitals announced this year that they would stop performing some #intersex surgery on #children.     

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Price said part of the reason the Trevor Project focused the research on #mentalhealth is that #intersex #youths are often medicalized from birth and that as a result most of the available research focuses on how medical procedures affect them.

“I think it’s important to understand that #intersex #youth are so much more than their bodies,” Price said. “By understanding them as individuals and as people we believe that this report gives more attention to things that may be more important to them than the sort of medicalized approach to looking at who they are.”

The report found that other risk factors for poor #mentalhealth include discrimination, housing instability and food insecurity. More #LGBTQ intersex youths reported having experienced discrimination based on their #sexualorientation or #genderidentities (64 percent) in the previous year compared to #LGBTQ youth who are not intersex (59 percent). Those who reported having experienced discrimination reported twice the rate of attempting #suicide (22 percent) compared to #LGBTQ intersex #youth who had not experienced it (11 percent).

More #LGBTQ intersex #youths reported having faced food insecurities in the previous year and/or #homelessness, including from being kicked out or having run away, when compared to #LGBTQ #youths who are not intersex. Those who reported food insecurities and/or #homelessness reported nearly three times the rate of previous-year #suicideattempts, at 30 percent and 34 percent, respectively, compared to those who did not report food insecurities or facing homelessness, at 12 percent and 10 percent.

The report recommends policies, both in #schools and for government-issued identification, that are not built on the sex or #gender #binary of #male and #female, because both intersex and many #transgender youths do not fit into those categories. 

“We talk about gendered bathrooms and locker rooms and the sports-participation #binary and documents that only allow for #male or #female sex or markers, and these are all sort of inherently excluding the reality that intersex people exist in the first place,” Price said. Sports policies that allow anyone to participate, gender-neutral bathrooms and inclusive sex-education curriculums that recognize intersex people signal to #youths “that we see you, we know you’re here and we accept you for who you are,” Price said. 

Price added that the report offers hope, because it found that acceptance and affirmation significantly reduce the risk of #suicide for #LGBTQ intersex #youths. Those who had at least one #parent who was accepting of their sexual orientations or #genderidentities had 55 percent and 45 percent lower odds, respectively, of having attempted #suicide in the previous year. #Transgender and #nonbinary intersex youths whose pronouns were respected by all of the people they live with had 64 percent lower odds of reporting #suicideattempts. 

“The best thing that we could do for intersex youth is to be accepting and provide that protective and supportive environment for them,” she said.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-acceptance-significantly-reduces-suiciderisk-for-intersex-youths-report-finds/

In this lesson, #students will learn about the growing rates of self-harm among #Black #teenagers. Then, they will create their own emotional-wellness tool kit.

By Nicole Daniels

Note to #teachers: The featured article deals with #anxiety, #depression and #suicide in young people. Please read it and this lesson plan to make sure they are appropriate for your class.

Lesson Overview

Featured Article: “Why Are More #Black #Kids Suicidal? A Search for Answers.” by Christina Caron

Several recent studies have revealed something that #mentalhealthexperts were not aware of before: People of different races do not have the same risk factors for self-harm. Emerging evidence has revealed that in the past 20 years, self-reported #suicideattempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents.

In this lesson, you will learn about why researchers believe that self-harm rates are increasing among #Black #children and #teenagers. Then, you will think about your own #mentalhealth and create a tool kit for mental well-being.

If you are having thoughts of #suicide, and you live in the #UnitedStates, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. Additional resources in other countries can be found here.

Warm-Up

Part I. Reflection

In your journal, reflect: How comfortable are the people in your life with talking about #mentalhealthissues, such as #anxiety, #depression, #mentalillness or #suicide? Do conversations about mental well-being happen in your home or #school or with friends?

Part II. Photograph

Look at the photograph below, which was taken by Julien James and featured in the article.

- What is your reaction? How do you feel looking at it?
- What message, feeling or idea do you think the photograph is trying to communicate?

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read or listen to the article, then answer the following questions:

1. What happened to Joe when he told his father that he wanted to see a therapist? How is therapy viewed in your family or community? Is it something that is embraced or stigmatized?

2. Why might #suicide questionnaires fail to identify some #Black young people who are at risk of #suicide? How is Jordan Burnham’s story an example of how this kind of oversight can happen?

3. According to the article, why are #suicide and #mentalillness often viewed as a “white phenomenon”? Have you ever experienced or witnessed a time when #race played a factor in a discussion about #mentalhealth?

4. What data does the article reveal about connections between #suicide and #race, #gender and sexuality? What is your reaction to the statistics included in the article?

5. What are some reasons there has been a lack of research looking specifically at the #racial and #ethnic differences in youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts?

6. According to Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePreventionandResearch at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, why is it important to talk about #race and culture when discussing #suicide?

7. What do you think of the programs developed by Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, and Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University? Does your #school have any programs or services for #students to support #mentalhealth and well-being?

Going Further

Create an emotional-wellness tool kit.

What tools and strategies do you have to feel your best? Take a look at this Emotional Wellness Checklist from the #NationalInstitutesofHealth. Here are the six strategies they recommend with links to ways to practice them:

- Brighten your outlook
- Reduce #stress
- Get quality sleep
- Be mindful
- Cope with loss
- Strengthen social connections

In addition to the above strategies, here is one more:

- Journal. Take a moment to check in and respond to this question: How are you, really? You can use this list of feeling words as you try to name how you’re feeling and write it down. Try keeping a record of how you’re feeling for several days or a week. What do you notice? What is bringing you joy? What is feeling good in your life? What is feeling bad or challenging? What is one change you could make to feel happier, more connected or better motivated?

After exploring the ideas above, design your own personalized emotional-wellness tool kit to help you successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Which strategies work best for you? And try to be as specific a possible, such as including friends and family members you can reach out to, the sports or physical activities you can do to release #stress, or your favorite places to walk in your neighborhood.

Remember, though, none of these strategies are an alternative for seeking help when in crisis. If you are having thoughts of #suicide, and you live in the #UnitedStates, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

Additional Teaching and Learning Opportunities

- Learn more about the role of gender in #suicide. Read this article from September about rising #suicide rates among #Black #girls. What did the information in the study reveal? Why do researchers and #psychologists think these numbers might be rising? What do they think should be done? What do you think?
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-lesson-of-the-day-why-are-more-black-kids-suicidal-a-search-for-answers/

About James Donaldson, Author of Standing Above The Crowd and Celebrating Your Gift of Life

To Order Your Copy of Standing Above The CrowdClick Here

To Order Your Personally Signed Copy of Celebrating Your Gift of LifeClick Here

James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.

James established The Donaldson Clinic in January 1990 - 2018 (shortly after a career-threatening knee injury) with the idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall. He also serves as a coach for other small business owners.

Today, James devotes the majority of his time to various community activities and to the operations of The Donaldson Clinic which he closed in 2018. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.

In 2009, James was a candidate for the office of Mayor for the City of Seattle. He had a strong fourth place finish in a crowded field of eight candidates. It was the first time James ran for an elected office in the world of politics, and he continues to work closely with several elected officials in regards to politics, youth, and educational issues in Seattle.

In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.

Currently, James is a director in China with the China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries Studying Abroad Department in which he assists in helping students with various study abroad and cultural exchange programs.

James is a long-time resident of the Greater Seattle area. He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.

James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!

For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:

 

www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com

JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com

1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/about/