Rower Stone pursuing Olympics that delayed medical career
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — With every pull of an oar in the water, Gevvie Stone gets closer to a hopeful return to the Olympics and eventually the medical career she has put on hold for nearly three years.
One is still uncertain. The other is coming whether the Tokyo Games happen or not.
The 35- year- old, twotime Olympian and 2016 silver medalist in women’s single sculls will be rowing for a return to the Olympics starting Monday when the U.S. trials begin in Sarasota, Florida.
She’ll be among the favorites in the 37-woman field to qualify for one last shot at a gold medal.
“It’s very exciting. It’s also very nerve-wracking,” Stone said before she cut short her winter training camp in Austin, Texas, and bolted for Florida ahead of the winter storm that knocked out power and water to millions.
“I’m getting older, I have more aches and pains than I did four years ago. In the last two years, this has been more for the personal challenge. I still enjoy it, but it’s really different. I had to really question whether I had what it took both physically and mentally and emotionally to do another 12 months.
“It was interesting to hear people say it’s just one more year,” Stone said. “It’s not a small ask, especially where I am in my medical career.”
A graduate of Tufts University medical school, she already had retired from rowing after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and started her multiyear residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Stone said she loves medicine and the adrenaline rush of the emergency room that is her calling as a doctor, a contrast to the solitude of the single sculler on the water.
But rowing is in her blood. Her mother was a 1976 Olympian and twotime medalist at the world championships. Her father is her coach. The last chance at a gold medal was too much to resist.
Delaying her medical career was hard enough to do once. Having to do it a second time after the 2020 Games were postponed
because of the coronavirus pandemic was even harder as COVID-19 was starting to overwhelm hospitals. Stone’s heart was tugging her in two directions: her love of rowing and her Hippocratic oath as a doctor.
“It almost never happens where people will postpone or take time off in a residency training,” said Dr. Carlo Rosen, who has directed the emergency medicine residency program at Beth Israel Deaconess for 20 years. “But it’s even more unusual that someone in the program is training for the Olympics. We wanted to be as supportive as we could.”
Rosen said that didn’t change when the pandemic hit. While Stone offered to return to help if needed, knowing hospitals were preparing for the worst, Rosen said the residency
program didn’t want to expose her to increased risks of being exposed to the virus.
“We had committed to let Gevvie do her training,” Rosen said. “She has tremendous skill ... We had been confident that when she returns and gets through the residency program, she will be an outstanding emergency physician.”
Stone knows there can be no more delays or cancellations. She has to return to the residency program after the Tokyo Games are scheduled to end in August, or she’ll have to start the program all over.
That means there won’t be any do-overs on the water. If the Olympics don’t happen on schedule, her rowing career is over.
DEAR ABBY: My daughter got married in a friend’s backyard three months ago. Her husband built an arch for the ceremony. He spent $285 on some very nice walnut, and they planned to keep it forever.
With my daughter’s consent, my wife loaned it to a niece of hers. The arch was broken and thrown out. We found this out only after weeks of requesting that we get it back. They have offered to pay the $ 285, but without even a “sorry.”
My daughter is extremely angry at my wife and the niece and her husband. I need words to console my wife and daughter. This has caused a deep emotional schism in our family. -- WEDDING MESS IN ARIZONA
DEAR MESS: It is time to talk to your daughter about priorities. Because of her deep emotional attachment to the arch her now-husband created for their wedding, her anger and hurt are justifiable.
That the niece and her husband not only damaged it but threw it away like a piece of garbage was terrible. That they not only didn’t apologize, but also failed to recognize the sentimental value of the arch is shocking. ( At least they offered to reimburse the cost of the wood.) However, for your daughter to blame your wife for the niece’s carelessness is wrong.
It takes strength of character to forgive. This does not mean your daughter must forget what
DEAR ABBY happened and how poorly it was handled. In the uncertain times we are experiencing, relationships and family unity are primary. I hope that, with time, your daughter and her husband will realize this and repair the rift while recognizing the niece’s shortcomings in the future. (“Neither a borrower nor a lender be ...”)
DEAR ABBY: At the end of last year, I sat down with my parents hoping that maybe we could approach the new year with a fresh start. One short month into the new year, my mother is back at it again, ridiculing me and making me feel like no matter what I do, it will never be good enough for her.
I have reached the end of my rope. I’m tired of dealing with the constant cycle of emotional abuse. I have overcome much in my life, and
I’m proud of myself for it. During times when I struggle, I reflect on how much. I keep pushing myself forward, but at this point, I’m just tired.
I have considered distancing myself, but the recent loss of my grandfather hit me hard. I have been leaning on my family to keep myself going, so I’m in a pickle. -- HURT, STUNNED AND TIRED IN NEW YORK
DEAR H.S.T: You may never be able to have what you want from your mother, not because there is something wrong with you, but because she has proven herself incapable of being supportive.
For understanding and the emotional support you are seeking, consider contacting your clergyperson ( if you have one) or the officiant at your grandfather’s funeral and asking about joining a grief support group. If you do, you may find the support you need while at the same time keeping safely at a distance from your mother.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 610540447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
Monday, February 22, 2021 Find your place, and live in the moment. Enjoy what life has to offer. Set a realistic pace that brings you the comfort and joy you deserve.
PISCeS (Feb. 20-March 20) — Make your space inviting. Move things around to suit your lifestyle. Share your feelings and plans with loved ones. Now’s the time to make some dramatic self-improvements.
arIeS (March 21-april 19) — Don’t let your emotions interfere when you’re making an important decision. Stay calm, use discipline and verify facts before you take action. Strive to avoid discord.
TauruS (april 20-May 20) — Work in your best interest instead of trying to impress or please someone. Push your ideas and vision, and invest time and effort into pursuing what makes you happy.
GeMInI (May 21-June 20) — If you recognize what’s possible, success will follow. Let go of negativity and let your innovative ideas set new trends. Make romance and love priorities, and work to end discord.
CanCer (June 21-July 22) — An open mind will encourage you to try something new. Express your thoughts and feelings. Share something special with someone who can contribute to your plans.
Leo (July 23-aug. 22) — Stay on course. Look for the right opportunity and put everything into your objective. If you take on too much, you will fall short of your goal. Bring about change and persuade others to follow suit.
VIrGo (aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Information, education and communication will lead to positive changes. Focus on what you have to offer. Don’t be afraid to make the first move. Keeping up with trends will help you find success.
LIbra (Sept. 23) — Don’t let an unexpected change bring you down. Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, and get things done without compromising your financial status or health.
SCorPIo ( oct. 24-nov. 22) — Don’t let uncertainty or confusion lead to your downfall. Look at the possibilities and use your skills to bring about the changes that will make your life better. Put an end to bad relationships.
SaGITTarIuS (nov. 23-dec. 21) — Settle into something you do well or love to do. Opening up to a loved one will help you make decisions that add to your comfort and well-being.
CaPrICorn ( dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Consider how you earn and handle your money, and make changes that will stabilize your future. Look at what’s trending and how you can take advantage of an opportunity.
aQuarIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Weigh the pros and cons of every situation you face. Be careful when dealing with peers, relatives and people who work for institutions.
23-oct.