Olympic Gold Medalist Brings Holiday Cheer to Shriners Patients

When Santa Claus arrived for a holiday visit with young patients at Shriners Hospital for Children, he brought along a surprise guest. Laura Wilkinson, the athlete from The Woodlands who won a gold medal in platform diving at the 2000 Summer Olympics, made a special appearance, handing out holiday treats and autographs to the amazed youngsters.

"I've always loved children. To see them light up with excitement is really special," said Wilkinson. "I want to give them the hope that I had in people when I was younger."

Wilkinson holds a special place in her heart for children with orthopedic problems like those treated at Shriners Hospital, perhaps because she suffered a foot injury in March that threatened to jeopardize her Olympic participation this summer. Orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation, however, proved successful, and Wilkinson went on to win the gold medal in platform diving, wearing a kayak shoe to protect the bones in her foot during the competition.

After returning home from Sydney, Australia where the Olympics took place, Wilkinson was invited to appear on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" with Regis Philbin. As a celebrity guest, she played to benefit her charity of choice - Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston.

"I enjoy watching the show at home, but to sit in the hot seat ... oh my goodness, I was shaking so badly. I was more nervous during the show than I was at the Olympics. I was playing for Shriners Hospital, and I didn't want to mess up," she said.

Her fears were unfounded, and she won $32,000 for Shriners Hospital, ensuring that the children there would have a very merry Christmas, indeed.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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