US Olympian Shares the Realities of Parenting Special Needs Children

February 20, 2026 - 10:46

For most, competing at the Olympic level represents the pinnacle of a lifetime of dedication. For bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, the Games are just one part of an even more demanding and rewarding journey: parenting two young children with special needs.

Meyers Taylor, a multi-time Olympic medalist, openly shares that her life is a complex balancing act. Her eldest son has Down syndrome, and her youngest was diagnosed with a rare liver disease shortly after birth. The realities of this parenting path include navigating countless medical appointments, advocating for therapies, and managing the emotional weight of their diagnoses—all while maintaining the intense physical and mental regimen required for world-class sport.

She describes a relentless schedule where training sessions are meticulously planned around her children's needs. The mental fortitude honed on the ice track, she says, directly translates to the resilience needed at home. There are days of exhaustion and worry, but also profound joy and perspective.

Meyers Taylor emphasizes that her children are not a distraction from her athletic goals, but rather her central motivation. Their journeys have taught her unparalleled patience and strength. She hopes her story highlights the often-invisible labor of special needs parents and redefines what it means to be a high-achieving athlete, proving that greatness is measured in courage both on and off the field of play.