Newswise — Her strength, attitude, and love for cycling and health earned Alicia Gogue two silver medals at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. She gives the gold to her dad.
Alicia is the daughter of Alex Gogue, a software engineer at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. When she mentioned to a tour guide during a summer trip to the Olympics Training Center last year how much she would love to compete in them, she had no idea it would lead her to an invitation.
“I doubted it at first,” says Alex. “But when we got the confirmation email, it was unbelievable — we were honestly filled with joy and excitement.”
It wasn’t a day later that Alicia began upping her training, much of which she did with her father, to prepare for her Olympic debut. An athlete himself, Alex has always supported his daughter in her passion for fitness, from holding the back of her bike while she learned to ride to getting her involved in all kinds of sports. Alicia says, “My dad is my source of encouragement … the first time I rode my bike by myself, I didn’t know if I could do it, but my dad — he believed in me.”
In Los Angeles, Alicia competed in the 500-meter, 1,000-meter, and 2K races, earning silver in the two longer races. While the competition was unlike anything she had experienced even as a member of Special Olympics Maryland, Alicia affirms it wasn’t about winning or losing: “It was about the experience. Cycling provides health to me, and I think all sports are like therapy. They teach you to look ahead at your future, to reach up for others, and to never give up hope.”
Despite health complications often associated with Down syndrome, Alicia has made her life one of positivity, exercise, and helping others. As a young girl, she played with the other kids and got involved in all kinds of physical activities — swimming, gymnastics, golf, horseback riding, and even taekwondo, in which she earned a black belt. As she grew, so did her passion for inspiring others. She attended Anne Arundel and Cecil County community colleges to earn certification in child development and now, at age 31, she works as a teacher assistant at the School of the Incarnation, where she sees her position as a way to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I never want to be defined by a label, and that’s why an active life is important to me. Cycling, maintaining good health, and helping others are all part of that,” says Alicia. “Riding the bike is like having wings on your back. And getting to do it with someone you love makes it that much more fun.”
Read more at Johns Hopkins Nursing magazine.For Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, key is flexibility.Nursing innovation travels well.
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