Ex-Olympian reveals she's living in bug-infested trailer, broke and unemployed

[KamaAina]

Last edited Mon Nov 9, 2015, 02:01 PM - Edit history (1)

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ex-olympian-reveals-shes-living-171958982.html

Debi Thomas' life isn't what it used to be.

The former Olympic figure skater and physician made history when she became the first African-American athlete to win a Winter Games medal when she took home the bronze at the 1988 Olympics. She recently revealed she is now broke, unemployed and living in a bed bug-infested trailer.

&quot I feel) frustrated," Thomas said in the emotional episode of "Iyanla: Fix My Life" that aired Saturday on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Thomas turned to life coach Iyanla Vanzant after "crippling life challenges" that stemmed from a pair of divorces that financially drained her and forced her to close her medical practice in Virginia. The two-time U.S. national champion is now living in a mobile home in the Appalachian Mountains with her fiancé and his two children. She lost custody of her 13-year-old son.

Come home to San Jose, Debi! We'll fix your life! Drop the puck at a Sharks game (right across from the pillar with a mosaic of you ) and we'll take it from there!

[rocktivity]

1. "Thomas...earned her medical degree after graduating from Stanford University

Last edited Sun Nov 8, 2015, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)

and went on to become an orthopedic surgeon. She claimed her personality clashes led to two lost jobs before she decided to open her own private practice, which she eventually shut down."

I dare say her "personality clashes" also contributed to the loss of her marriages and her child as well. And now she's attached herself to someone -- and his children -- who isn't any better at providing than she is? Sounds like a fellow doctor would be better fit than a life coach.


rocktivity

[rocktivity]

2. Debi Thomas’ Life Failures May Be Caused By Bipolar Disorder

HealthAim.com:

Debi Thomas was the first African-American to receive (a) medal...at the Winter Olympics...while studying engineering at the Stanford University...Thomas continued on to get a medical degree...becoming an orthopedic surgeon...But in a new episode of “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” Debi Thomas revealed that her success faded...

Thomas guessed that (she) might be bipolar...(Iyanla) Vanzant confirms that Thomas was once diagnosed with the mental disorder...

So I guessed right. Hooray for me...


rocktivity

[Myrina]

3. I remember when she was in her glory ...

.... her first husband is from where I'm from, and their 'med school romance' was all over the news as the Olympics neared.

I often wondered what happened to her - sounds like she's ridiculously intelligent but has longtime personality issues that haven't been addressed appropriately.