The Olympics inspire me to go for gold, despite hypoparathyroidism

What these athletes have taught me about resilience and determination

Written by Bari Vapnek |

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“The courage to soar to great heights is inside all of us.” — Olympic gold medalist Kerri Strug

In sports, we discover one of life’s greatest lessons: the courage to overcome adversity and rise stronger each time we fall. Sports have the power to transform lives by teaching resilience and perseverance and by offering opportunities to find strength amid challenges.

One event stands out in my mind as an example of how persistence can help us overcome setbacks. It happened 30 years ago, in July 1996. Despite the cognitive difficulties from my hypoparathyroidism, I remember it as if it were yesterday.

I was lying on the floor glued to the television, as I often am when my team is playing. But on this day, I was watching the Olympic Games live from Atlanta. In the very competitive women’s gymnastics category, Team USA was in the lead as they entered their final rotation: the vault.

Fourteen-year-old Dominique Moceanu could have secured the gold medal, but didn’t land either of her vaults. I saw disappointment in her eyes, a silent display of the crushing weight of the moment.

Then, 18-year-old Kerri Strug, who had helped Team USA win bronze at the 1992 Olympics, stepped up as the final competitor. Strug, who was just three years younger than me at the time, had two chances at vault to secure gold for her team. A seasoned athlete, she was used to the pressure of performing in front of an audience.

But just like Moceanu before her, she didn’t land her first vault.

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Rising after a fall

Watching her stumble, I felt my chest tighten, as if anticipating the impact of her fall myself. Fear coursed through me — fear of failure, of not being enough — feelings I knew all too well.

The Olympic rings are pictured at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta to commemorate the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The 1996 Summer Olympics were held at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. (Photo by Bari Vapnek)

I held my breath, caught in the moment, realizing that talent alone wouldn’t clinch the gold. It was Strug’s determination and perseverance that counted as she prepared for her second attempt.

I sat in silence as I witnessed pain, frustration, and anger in Strug’s eyes. With a brave face and a limp from injuring her ankle during her first vault attempt, Strug got up with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She pushed through her pain and bravely approached the vault runway with poise.

Despite her injured ankle, Strug vaulted into Olympic history, winning the gold for Team USA. Her resilience made me believe I can overcome my own struggles with hypoparathyroidism and rise after falling, like a brave butterfly spreading its wings.

Since my diagnosis, I have faced numerous obstacles and setbacks, but I always get back up, full of determination and grit.

Finding new inspiration

As a few thousand athletes prepare to soar to great heights at the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 6-22) and Paralympic Games (March 6-15), I will be watching, hoping to take away a lesson while witnessing sports history.

I am excited to watch the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and, hopefully, Lindsey Vonn, the only American woman to win an Olympic downhill gold. Vonn, who has faced much adversity, had planned to return to the competition this year after retiring in 2019, demonstrating resilience. However, last Friday, she injured her knee in an accident while competing. She remains positive, though, writing on Instagram: “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics … but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over.”

Vonn encourages me to challenge myself, reminding me that a setback isn’t the end of my story — just another chapter.

Sometimes we need to change the narrative in our heads to make room for growth. Vonn inspires me. I, too, can come out of “retirement” and prove that I am capable, despite my diagnosis.

It’s my turn to win, and I have what it takes. Celebrating small victories, like a longer walk or beating my splits, fills me with the hope and motivation to keep going and push my limits.

On days when I feel unmotivated, I remember Vonn and 18-year-old Strug and choose to be brave, confronting challenges with courage.

Only a small fraction of athletes will walk away with a medal. But that is not how success is defined. Success is their story: how they overcame adversity.

My story, like Strug’s or Vonn’s, can be someone else’s guidebook. When we faltered in our “landing,” we got up and kept going.

How is success in life with hypoparathyroidism measured? Simply by trying to be better today. I won’t win gold for that, but I will keep pushing myself proudly, gratefully, and bravely.

I’ve learned from sports that the courage to soar lies within. With resilience and the courage to persevere, I aim to overcome the challenges that come my way.


Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is a strictly news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.

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