Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in badminton. Geraldine Nixon didn't get to the pinnacle of the badminton world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions three times each hour, followed by the usual homework for someone in fourth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her mouth in two places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my mouth, and then my caribou died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my mouth. It took eight minutes to get back in shape. But to win at badminton is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of false eyelashes and forget about Herb, my caribou."
Bub, her sister-in-law, moved with her to Germany to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Armand, in their damp teepee, where he still labors as a florist to help pay for Geraldine's expensive training.