Overcoming Obstacles

by Healthy Wealthy nWise

The driving spirit of a person will determine their success. It’s not something that comes from a privileged background. Bonnie St. John can testify to this fact. Bonnie has seen success beyond most people’s wildest dreams through the Olympic Games, but it’s hard to imagine that success if you believe the stereotypes all around you.

Bonnie St. John grew up very poor. She was a black girl from San Diego being raised by a single mother. Worse still, she was an amputee. Her leg was taken from her when she was five years old. Although she had no money and no snow, she longed to be a skier. Her mother actually encouraged her in this crazy idea.

Bonnie has always been motivated to succeed by her desire to see others motivated by her. She grew up hearing the same lies we all hear: blacks don’t ski; blacks don’t swim; blacks don’t play golf. All black people can do is play basketball or football. These stereotypes are simply not true at all. Today, Bonnie joins over ten thousand African-American ski club members every other year for a convention.

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 isn’t easy for someone with two good legs, so it’s no surprise that Bonnie had a horrible time getting started. Her prosthetic leg was a much bigger challenge than she could have imagined, and since she knew nothing about skiing when she acquired her gear, she was left cold and wet by her knit mittens. Bonnie wouldn’t trade this experience for the world, though.

Bonnie St. John later found the Ski Club where she was able to find appropriate ski gear and begin training to ski. Eventually, she began racing with other amputees. The more she raced, the more she enjoyed it. The more she trained, the more she wanted to be on the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.

Anyone can have success in their life. Each of us has our own obstacles to overcome. Some are tougher than others, but all can be achieved with some creativity and determination. Never give up on your passions. Live your life to the fullest, and get up each time you fall.

About the Author:

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

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