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Bonnie in the News
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Overcome Obstacles
[This Fourth grade reader was published in four countries--USA, Canada, Australia and UK. Bonnie's story was written at a 4th grade reading level. You can share this version of her story with kids in your family or classroom.]
People who try new things, in spite of difficult challenges, often become more sure of themselves as a result. They also have a sense of accomplishment when they succeed. If you try something challenging, you may find out that you can achieve something you didn't think you could.
Bonnie St. John is a great example of someone who overcame a serious obstacle. When she was five years old, Bonnie's right leg had to be amputated. To recover, she had to do painful exercises in order to wear an artificial leg. Bonnie suffered through the exercises at first, but she kept doing them until she was strong enough to walk.
When Bonnie was fifteen, she learned to ski. In two years, she was so good at it that she won a scholarship to a school for downhill ski racers. While she was at the school, Bonnie suffered two serious setbacks. The first was when she broke her left leg. The second was when Bonnie's artificial leg broke. "That was the lowest point in my skiing career," she said. Yet Bonnie's courage never allowed her to give up.
At age nineteen, Bonnie competed in the Paralympics. She fell during one event, but she picked herself up and finished the course, winning a bronze medal. Bonnie won a second bronze medal and also a silver medal for overall performance.
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