?No Limitations?: American Gymnast With Down Syndrome Pens an Open-Letter Questioning Bias

Chelsea Werner, an American gymnast, was born with Down Syndrome, a condition that can cause certain medical issues including low muscle tone. However, she didn?t give up as her parents made her join gymnastics. Despite her early struggles, she worked tirelessly to improve. And now she has won 4 Special Olympics USA National Championships.

Chelsea Werner’s journey proves that no one should feel hindered from pursuing their dreams. She defies stereotypes, showing that belief and hard work can turn dreams into reality and that we should never judge based on appearances. Recently, on 18 October, she shared a post on Instagram which again made us wonder why society assumes that people with Down Syndrome can?t make it big.

Gymnastics and beyond

In the video, she was sharing her gymnastics journey. The caption that reads, “I wish you knew that I work very hard year after year? I am proud of my achievements? We are all capable of making our dreams come true.”

She also captioned the video as “October is Down syndrome awareness month. “I started Special Olympics gymnastics when I was 8 years old. I really loved having teammates and loved the sound of the crowd cheering for me. After a few years, my parents found me a coach that trained me just like all her other gymnasts that didn?t have any disabilities. She saw no limitations in me. My gymnastics really took off. I went on to win 4 consecutive U.S.A. Special Olympic National Championships and just 3 weeks ago just won my 3rd World title in South Africa. I am just one example of what an individual with Down Syndrome can achieve given the opportunity to reach their potential.?

From the post, it’s clear that she considers herself an example of someone who faced “No limitations” due to her Down syndrome. However, it’s not the first time that people with down syndrome have shown talent.

The ‘1% better’ method

Chris Nikic, an American amateur triathlete with Down syndrome, shares his “1% Better” method on Olympics.com. ?When I first started training, the simple goal was to improve one per cent in each exercise,? Chris explained.?I did one more lap of the pool, one more lap on the bike, and one more lap on the run every day.?

Read More: Simone Biles: Riveting Career of the Gymnastics Legend

He overcame adversity to become the first Down syndrome Ironman finisher. With determination, he achieved his dream in just 11 months. Chris’s story went viral, leading to speaking engagements and endorsements.

Chelsea Werner and Chris Nikic’s extraordinary achievements prove that individuals with Down syndrome can break barriers, achieve their dreams, and inspire the world with their determination and hard work.

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