Lessons Patients With Cancer Can Learn From Olympians

Every four years, I become inspired and author an article on the similarity between Olympians and cancer survivors. We have so much in common. We have learned to get up again after we fall, to support each other and to overcome impossible odds. This year, I thought I would not write anything since readers may be getting bored with these articles.

But as always, I found something to write about. Every one of the athletes who has reached these heights impresses me. The rest of the world has no idea of how difficult it is to be the “best of the best.” The training, the discipline, the money, the dedication, the sacrifices of these athletes and their families are not understood. These brave people continue working toward the medals, knowing one misstep, one tiny mistake, one fall can change things forever and keep them off that cherished podium.

This year, 2026, I was devastated when Lindsey Vonn tried one more time for a medal, knowing it would be her last chance and injuring her leg. I was disappointed when Ilian Malinin, the Quad star, fell twice and lost a chance at a medal. Who does a back flip on the ice anyway? No, these two did not get on the podium but inspired us with Lindsey flying home still praising her fans, and Ilian’s skating a memorable performance at the final skating gala. 

I do want to mention two other Olympians who left an impression on me. Elana Meyers Taylor won a Gold Medal in bobsledding after going to five – yes, five - Olympics. She is 41 years old. But the story goes way beyond that. She has two deaf sons, and one also had Down’s. She and her husband learned ASL, and the small preschoolers were waiting for her at the bottom of the hill. They were signing “Mommy Won” to her! I have authored a book on Deaf Culture titled “Do You Have a Voice: Memoirs of my Journey with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.” I discuss the controversy unknown to many outsiders between the deaf who remain oral and never learn ASL and the deaf who learn ASL and want nothing to do with being oral. Elana bridges that battle and used both methods with her children; she is an advocate for deaf children and adults. She speaks eloquently on why she is learning ASL for her children. Simultaneously, her children have cochlear implants to help learn speech. I have always maintained (being deaf my entire life) that we need to use every communication method in our arsenal for children to understand language, whether spoken or signed. We need more people like Elana, giving deaf children every means of communication to help them succeed. She is a Gold Medalist in every way.

The second Olympian I love is Alysa Liu. She trained to become a figure skater, and then left because of the stress and burnout. She returned two years later at the tender age of 20 with the support of her father. What struck me is when she skated and won the precious Gold Medal, she did not have the strained look on her face of the other skaters. She said she did not care if she won or not but wanted to be happy and just to skate. She skated with happiness, joy, and contentment on her face and won a Gold Medal. After she won, she went to the other medal winners, embraced them, and included them in the celebration. They became a unit, not competing but uniting with the joy of skating.

What an inspiration for cancer survivors and everyone else. You fall, you do not always succeed, you take a break if necessary, and then come back and try again. Think of every cancer survivor you know. We have our difficulties, we have a remission, and cancer may still return. The treatment may not work, and we think we can’t take one more step or treatment. We get back up and go on. We love and support each other. We try to smile through our pain and tears. When we are in pain, when we have setbacks, when we are scared, we learn to go on and smile and reach out for help. And sometimes we just need to take a break from it all and stay home to be alone and decide our next steps.

We are all medal winners, and we try to smile, educate others and start over again. Alysa discovered at 20 what most people never do. However, cancer survivors do learn these lessons quickly. And aren’t these lessons what life is all about?

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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