In February 1991, I was rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles to have my feet amputated. Three years earlier, I had broken the national 100 meters hurdles record while a student at UCLA and was a favourite for the event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
I have to be cautious, have my thyroid levels checked, and as long as I do that, I'm fine.
A lot of times when I ran, to be honest, I didn't know where I was in the race. So I always was looking up at the scoreboard to say, 'Just call my name to see where I am,' because I tried to have such tunnel vision not to distract myself.
I don't have a thyroid anymore. I had radioactive iodine treatment, which destroyed my thyroid. I take medication every day.
I was blessed with a long career where I won gold medals for myself and my country. Nothing stands out as a disappointment.
We go old-school during the summer, like swimming or setting up lemonade stands. I try to teach my kids to make their own fun.
