https://www.facebook.com/byron.heath.5/posts/ [login to see] 334604
This is a public post so anyone should be able to read it. It references some of the negative comments that have been directed toward Simone Biles after she decided to prioritize her mental health and drop from two events at the Olympics.
I have seen comments calling her "weak," "cowardly." That she's "letting down her team." "Quitter." I'm sure people on here who struggle with mental health issues have heard that. That was the stigma for active duty or veterans seeking help with mental health issues for decades.
There's people who bring up Kerri Strug because she "pushed through" a serious injury. She's mentioned in this. This guy I think puts this in a light that people need to hear.
Kerri Strug never should have kept competing with that injury nor should her coach have pushed her to do so.
Add in the things going on within USA Gymnastics for years with sexual abuse...and how many times they were probably told "suck it up" being injured physically, mentally or being abused and not feeling safe to report it... it's a lot.
It's not weak to seek help for any issue. It's not failing a team to drop out of a competition if you're hurt in any way.
Simone Biles is 24 years old and is the greatest gymnast of all time - female or male. She has 30 total World Championship and Olympic medals. She has four moves named after her. She gets graded harder because no one can do what she does and they don't want people trying to replicate her moves. But yet somehow she's "weak?" I applaud her Naomi Osaka when she drew out of the French Open due to her mental health issues. It's not weak to admit one is human and seek help. It's brave, and it's strong.