Jennifer Bricker (born October 1, 1987)[1][2] is an American acrobat and aerialist. Born without legs, she was placed for adoption by her parents.[3] Later in life, she would find out she is the sister of American Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu. The Moceanu family from which she originates is ethnically Aromanian, from modern Romania.[4] Jennifer was a featured performer on Britney Spears' Circus Tour (2009)[5] and was the first disabled high school tumbling champion in the state of Illinois.[6]
Jennifer Bricker | |
|---|---|
 Bricker at SXSW 2024 | |
| Born | October 1, 1987 |
| Occupation(s) | Acrobat, aerialist |
| Relatives | Dominique Moceanu (sister) Christina Moceanu Chapman (sister) |
| Website | jenbricker |
In 1998, Bricker competed in the AAU Junior Olympics (power tumbling), placing fourth. The same year she received the U.S. Tumbling Association’s Inspiration Award.[7][3]
Her history is detailed in her memoir Everything Is Possible: Finding the Faith and Courage to Follow Your Dreams, which was a New York Times bestseller. It was retold by the BBC in January 2017.[8] Writing in Psychology Today, Nancy L. Segal noted, "The sisters' reunion makes for an inspiring story of family ties broken and restored. But it also provides priceless material for research into the roles of nature and nurture in athletic prowess".[9]
Family life
edit
In American Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu's memoir Off Balance, she first revealed that Bricker was her younger sister who had been placed for adoption at the hospital at birth.[10][11] Before learning Moceanu was her sister, Bricker idolized Moceanu, and even had posters of her on her bedroom walls.[11][12] The documentary “She Looks Like Me” from director Torquil Jones tells the story of the two sisters discovering their connection.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ Lynn, Allison (June 8, 2012). "Champion Gymnast's Hidden Life: Dominique Moceanu on Secret Sister". ABC News. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- ^ Peterson, Deb. "Illinois girl born without legs doesn't let that stand in her way". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Rich Schapiro (June 10, 2012). "Jennifer Bricker looked up to secret sister Moceanu". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ Both, Ștefan (January 8, 2019). "Povestea aromânilor din Banatul Timișean. De unde a venit acest "neam frate cu românii"". Adevărul (in Romanian).
- ^ Nicole Weskerna (September 25, 2009). "Bricker's talent goes worldwide on singer's tour". Robinson Daily News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
- ^ "HBO Real Sports: Gymnast Sisters", HBO video archive; see also the transcript
- ^ "Illinois girl born without legs doesn't let that stand in her way". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 1, 1998.
- ^ Venema, Vibeke (January 25, 2017). "My idol turned out to be my sister". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ Segal, Nancy L. (November 3, 2015). "A Tale of Two Sisters". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ Lynn, Alison (June 11, 2012). "Champion Gymnast's Hidden Life: Dominique Moceanu on Secret Sister". ABC News. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Segal, Nancy L. (November 3, 2015). "A Tale of Two Sisters". Psychology Today. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "The Secret Link Between Two Gymnasts, Outlook - BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ "She Looks Like Me". SXSW 2024 Schedule. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Adlakha, Siddhant (March 18, 2024). "'She Looks Like Me' Review: Family Secrets and Public Scandals Brush Shoulders in a Scattered Documentary". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Jennifer Bricker at Wikimedia Commons- Everything is Possible: Finding the Faith and Courage to Follow Your Dreams Jen Bricker autobiography with Sheryl Berk, 2016, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, ISBN 978-9-3864-5041-8
- Everything is Possible Jen Bricker, TED talk, 2019.
 | This biographical article related to acrobatic gymnastics is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
   | This biographical article related to American sports is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |