Retired Olympic gold medalist swimmer Missy Franklin is now using her platform to advocate for family health conversations after her father was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. She has partnered with OTA to raise awareness about hereditary diseases and the importance of discussing health issues within families. Franklin also shared her excitement about her new role as an Olympic Yahoo correspondent, blending her love for the Olympics with her advocacy work. She emphasized the importance of individualized health plans and mentioned how her daughter will be introduced to swimming for water safety. The heartwarming news of her father receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor who turned out to be a fellow Olympic gold medalist from 1992 added a personal touch to her advocacy efforts. Despite having to retire from swimming due to injury, Franklin remains active and prioritizes nutrition and sleep in her daily life. She encourages her daughter to explore various interests and find her own passion.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist and retired swimmer Missy Franklin is now focusing on advocating for family health conversations following her father’s diagnosis with a rare kidney disease. Franklin, who also recently took on the role of Olympic Yahoo correspondent, expressed excitement about blending her new role with her Olympic experiences. Her family’s struggle with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has motivated her to raise awareness about hereditary diseases and the importance of open communication within families.
Having started swimming at the age of five, Franklin emphasized the importance of maintaining her health through collaboration with her healthcare team. Despite having to retire from competitive swimming due to injury, she remains active and prioritizes nutrition and sleep. Franklin shared the heartwarming story of her father receiving a kidney transplant from an Olympic gold medalist from 1992, underscoring the significance of being proactive in managing health and wellness.
Franklin underscored the importance of water safety by mentioning her daughter’s involvement in swimming, highlighting the value of allowing children to explore various interests. As a doting mother, Franklin seeks to instill the same sense of autonomy in her daughter that her own parents provided her. Her journey from Olympic success to health advocacy serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of her commitment to promoting physical and emotional well-being.
