With the season’s turn, spirits are raised as the holidays draw near. Thanksgiving Day has brought in the festive cheer. Yet, amid the joy, for many, this holiday also brings with it complex and unique struggles. In one such instance, a US gymnastics athlete with bipolar disorder has opened up on the flip side of holiday cheer.
Countless people navigate through painful personal struggles and losses. And here is an account of the same.
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Gymnastics Athlete shares the flip side of holiday cheer
McKenna Lane Kelley, daughter of Olympic gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton, recently took to Instagram stories on Thanksgiving Day and shared a heartbreaking reality many people face during the festive season. The LSU gymnast also urged her followers to check in with friends, especially those who are struggling with mental health challenges. Sharing a casual selfie, she wrote alongside the image, ?I know personally, especially with a split family, this time of year isn’t always cheery. It’s hard when I am the only bipolar person I know – I feel very misunderstood in moments/days like today?.
Her message resonates with many going through similar challenges, as the complex difficulties faced by many often tend to get shadowed amid the joy. Her message also comes after the collective sigh of relief from her family and numerous fans as her legendary mom, the first American woman to clinch the all-around gold at the Summer Olympics, returned home after fighting for her life.
Mary Lou Retton’s fight for life
On October 10, McKenna Lane Kelley, the former LSU gymnast, revealed the critical condition of her mother, Mary Lou Retton. She shared that she was in an intensive care unit and ?not able to breathe on her own.? Facing the challenge of no insurance, Kelley initiated a Spotfund campaign that garnered support from over 8,000 donors, amassing $453,123. Countless fans and the gymnastics community reached out to share their heartfelt support for the icon.
After tumultuous days, on October 23, Kelley shared the good news, ?Mom is HOME & in recovery mode. We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps.?
And on October 30, a glimmer emerged as Retton took to her social media and penned, ?I?m beyond blessed to have the opportunity to make this statement. I am overwhelmed with the love and support from the world as I fight. I am forever grateful to you all!? and assured fans she would soon update them about her journey.
Watch this story: As Simone Biles and Michael Phelps? Work Towards Mental Health, Another Rising Gymnast Breaks Silence on Self-Care in Sports
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Edited by
Sampurna Pal