Overcoming Adversity | Motivation

By HealthyWealthynWise
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Word Count: 463

True success doesn't come from privilege. It comes from spirit. Bonnie St. John is a perfect example of this. If you believe the stereotypes of the world are true, you'd have a hard time believing how much success Bonnie has seen in her life as an Olympic skier. When life knocks her down, she gets right back up.

Bonnie St. John was raised by a single mother in San Diego. They were very poor, and what's worse is that Bonnie had to have one of her legs amputated at age five. Without any snow or money, her crazy dream was to be a skier. Her mother was always supportive of her and never tried to compensate for the disability.

People will tell you that black people never ski, swim, or play golf, but this is 100% untrue. Sure there are a few big names out there like Tiger Woods, but in reality, there are a lot of black people involved in these sports. One of Bonnie's motivations from a very early age was to do her best so that others could be motivated by her.

As a child, a friend named Barbara Warmath invited Bonnie St. John on a ski trip with her family over Christmas. This wasn't just any old invitation. Keep in mind that Bonnie was the girl who was exempt from PE classes, rode a special bus, and was teased by the other kids. This trip was the chance of a lifetime from someone who was a true friend.

Bonnie St. John's friend invited her in early November to accompany the family on the Christmas ski trip. That gave her only a few short weeks to come up with the money and ski gear to be able to go. With the help of odd jobs, the Yellow Pages, and the Salvation Army, she was ready!

Skiing proved harder than even Bonnie St. John could have imagined. She was constantly falling down as she fought with the prosthetic leg. She didn't know what equipment to buy, so her knit mittens left her fingers cold and met. None of it mattered, though. Bonnie was having the time of her life!

Later, Bonnie St. John joined the Ski Club so that she could obtain the appropriate ski gear and take skiing lessons. She was able to meet and race with many other amputees as well. The more she raced, the more she realized how much she enjoyed the challenge. She decided to train for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.

Everyone can be successful, but each of us must face our own obstacles head-on. Some challenges are tougher than others, of course, but with a little creativity and a lot of determination, anything can be overcome. Don't give up on your dreams. Pick yourself up when you fall, and try again.

About the Author

Do you have the motivation to succeed? Bonnie St. John overcame immense problems to realize her passions. Visit Bonnie St. John to see how you can learn from her experiences.

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