The young gymnast and her mother were sitting across from Dr. Gregory Schmale at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle. There was no easy way for Schmale to give his news. He talked directly to the 12-year-old girl.

Your body is not cut out for gymnastics, Schmale said. The most recent injury to the girl's wrist was severe enough to warrant not only full rest but retirement from elite competitive gymnastics.

She was still in middle school.

Otherwise, Schmale explained, issues with the growth plate in the wrist would likely cause lifelong problems. It might mean the bone would stop growing, shortening the arm, or develop crooked. Schmale was the third doctor to tell the girl and mother the same bad news about the wrist and further participation in gymnastics.

What came next surprised Schmale.

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