Rally for Bailee

This morning, one of my former students shared a link to a story his newsroom produced about an eight-year-old named Bailee Iorg. She was born with a limb difference that led to an amputation of her foot when she was four months old. She started gymnastics a year ago and now she’d like to start competing. That’s a big deal for any eight-year-old. But since she has a prosthetic leg, she is unsure if she’ll be allowed to compete. Her gym is waiting for USA Gymnastics to decide if she’s going to participate because for now, there are no rules for or against prosthetics.

Obviously Bailee knew pretty early on that she was born just right because she’s a firecracker. Seriously, watch this video.

Bailee has an amazing attitude and I’m so proud of her and I don’t even know her! Heck, Jordan watched the video and immediately asked to come and visit Bailee if I ever have a chance to visit Knoxville.

I don’t live in Tennessee but I already see Bailee’s quest is catching attention. We can all rally together and help her out. A parent whose daughter is a gymnast who competes within the USAIGC program with a prosthetic is allowed to participate. For now, we have to wait and see if the USA Gymnastics program will do the same. So I created a petition on Change.org and would love your participation in spreading the word and encouraging your friends to sign it.

6 Comments

  1. Jenn on May 16, 2013 at 8:16 am

    Teach for the sky and you’ll touch the stars!! Don’t give up keep pushing!

  2. Nina Iorg on May 16, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    I can’t thank you enough for your support and creating the petition. You and everyone who signs the petition are truly making a little girl’s dreams come true.

    • Jen Lee Reeves on May 16, 2013 at 12:36 pm

      We’re so happy to offer a little support for a very strong athlete! Go Bailee!

  3. Caryn Marlowe on May 16, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    This is such an awesome little girl. Go Bailee, Go!

  4. Michelle on May 17, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I love it… and I hope they do allow her to compete. My daughter is on team gymnastics, and I can’t see any issue against it but I suppose people always can create issues if they want to. I love that Bailey’s found a sport she adores and is obviously good at!

  5. Sheryl on May 21, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    Keep going, Bailee. You are an exceptional young woman.

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