Gabby Douglas: The First African-American Female Gymnast

955 Words2 Pages

Gabby Douglas was the first African-American female gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around champion. In the 2012 Olympic Games, she won gold in the team competition and the individual competition. She is a gymnastics phenom. From the beginning of her career to where she is today, she has been a true trooper through everything. Gabrielle Douglas is an inspiration to me and many others because she overcame being homeless,moved in with a new family, and won Olympic gold in gymnastics. On December 31, 1995, Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas also known as "Flying Squirrel", was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia (Douglas, Gabrielle). Her dad, Timothy Douglas and mom, Natalie Hawkins were experienced parents because they had two children before Gabby. Jonathan and Joyelle, her brother and sister, we're very close with Gabby as was Gabby with them. Gabbys family was very poor when she was born. They had no where to go but to live in a van (Neporent, Liz). While her family lived in the van there was not enough money to send her back for her infant check up. She was diagnosed with Branched Chain Ketoaciduria, a rare blood disease in infants who can't process certain proteins (Fraser, Allen). Gabby became very small and her mom thought she was going to die. Eventually, a family friend of the Douglas helped pay for a doctors visit (Douglas, Gabrielle). Gabbys relatives took the Douglas's in (Neporent, Liz). Timothy Douglas abounded the family soon after this because he found a job away from home (Neporent, Liz). Her sister Arielle introduced Gabby to tumbling and gymnastics through a cartwheel (Gabby Douglas). When all of Gabby's family had just enough of bouncing around on the couches and flipping the vase... ... middle of paper ... ...er family and all of her loved ones that she had what it takes to be put to the test and pass it. Even though her journey was not smooth, Gabby managed to push through. Gabby Douglas is an inspiration to me and many others because of all of her wonderful achievements and fantastic ability to shine even when it is dark. Works Cited “Gabby Douglas.” Gabby Douglas. Nike, Inc, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. Neporent, Liz. ‘Olympian Douglas’ Hard Times.” ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014 Fraser, Allen. “What a great gymnastics movie should be.” The New Yorker. conde Nast, n.d. May. 17 Feb. 2014 Douglas, Gabrielle, and Michelle Burford. Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith: The Gabrielle Douglas Story. N.p.: Harpercollins Christian Pub, 2012. Print. Schoeller, Martin. “Olympics Gabby Douglas Team USAs Flip Artist Comments. Time, Inc, 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2014

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