Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers

Written by: Kaylee Kopke Photography by: Eric Vinson

Julie Doss is an adult Special Olympian who lives in Lake Park, Georgia. She was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at an early age. Her mom, Jeanie Doss Allen, said she would always see Doss doing perfect cartwheels for fun when she was younger, which prompted her to put Doss in a regular gymnastics program at the age of 7. Immediately, Doss’s then coach saw that she had talent and potential within the sport.

But there were times when, according to Allen, Doss had some trouble with certain apparatuses. Allen and Doss’s coach knew she could get far, especially being so young at the time. At the age of 12, Doss won first place in a regular meet in all four apparatuses, which are the beam, bars, floor, and vault. Shortly after that, Doss made the decision to take a step back from gymnastics to pursue dancing throughout her high school career.

After graduating high school, Doss and her family moved to Lake Park, Georgia, when she was 22 years old. After a 10-year hiatus, her gymnastics career really took off. Thanks to the help

of Jane Walsh from the Valdosta YMCA, Doss got started again in the sport, and she picked up right where she left off. She learned new things quickly, and she put inthe work required to be recognized by the World Games. She was one of

two people from the state of Georgia to go to the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles, California.

The road to the Games wasn’t easy for Doss. A couple of months before she was set to compete, she had to undergo a surgery, the aftermath of which caused serious health complications for Doss.

and made everyone proud by going to the Games.”

“Even though she faced many setbacks before her appearance at the Games with health complications and surgeries, many people wrote to her after being inspired by her story through a newspaper article that was written on her,” Allen said. “They all rallied together and sent her letters and words of encouragement. Seeing all the love that she was receiving, she pushed through these obstacles

throughout that week when the games were going on. According to Allen, that was the experience of a lifetime for Doss.

Doss’s next competition will be in January for the Georgia Winter Games as well as swimming in the Summer Games and bowling in the Fall Games. Not only is she an avid athlete, but she also likes to horseback ride during her free time, something that has become a big part of her life.

Doss’s story just goes to show that with courage and perseverance there are no goals that you cannot accomplish, no obstacles that you cannot overcome. That, combined with the love and support from family, friends, and the community, can give you the extra boost to shine and achieve your greatest potential.