bonnie st. johnith a birth defect that stunted the growth in one of her legs and at 5 years old, doctors told her they would have to an tape. but had she was determined to have an ordinary life. it was a high school friend who introduced her to skiing. >> it is amazing because she's white, i'm black and she didn't see differences. she reached out and said, hey, you know, let's go skiing together. so it's -- it's amazing how somebody can change your life. i started skiing and found out there were a lot of other amputees who skied and raced, so this was my chance to really find out what i was made of and see if i could make the u.s. team. and so i really went for it. >> did she ever. bonnie made the paralympic team in 1984. >> i got to where i could see the finish line, i think i've made it i'm gonna win, and boom, that's when i fell on this bad spot on the ice. and, oh i was so disappointed. i was number one in the world and all of a sudden, i'm sitting in the snow. >> she got back up, finishing the r