If you enjoy skiing, you’ve probably heard of alpine skier Danelle Umstead.
Danelle, who stands 5 feet 2 inches (1.58m) tall, has surprised everyone with her incredible skiing abilities. She has retinitis pigmentosa and multiple sclerosis, which cause her to be partially blind.
But, thanks to her unwavering dedication, she was a three-time Paralympic bronze medalist in 2010, 2014, and 2018.
Danelle Umstead’s Biography
Danelle was born in Des Plaines, Illinois on February 15, 1972. She grew up with her two sisters, Nicole and Michele. In Plano, Texas, she attended Plano High School.
Danelle had aspired to join the United States Army since she was a child. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 13. Danelle’s vision was lost due to this disease, making her goal of joining the US army impossible.
Danelle’s father, Peter D’Aquanni, did not give up on her, and at the age of 29, he introduced her to blinds skiing and served as her first guide. Her passion for skiing grew so strong that she turned it into a lucrative career.
Danelle on DWTS with Artem Chigvintsev
Despite her disability, Danelle has established herself as a well-known television personality. She is not only a skier, but she is also a contestant on the 27th season of Dancing With The Stars (DWTS).
Danelle, like Sunjai William, will collaborate with the well-known Russian-American dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
Danelle even shared a picture with her partner related to the show on September 14, 2018, and stated that they are looking forward to the support of their fans.
Relationship Status: Single?
Danelle’s love life, like her professional life, is full of joy.
Well, the 46-year-old is happily married to skiing guide Rob Umstead. Danelle not only won the love of her life, but she also achieved many high rankings in her life with Rob.
They first met after Danelle relocated to New Mexico. They began dating and eventually married on April 18, 2008, and relocated to Park City, Utah.
Because Danelle required a guide due to her visionary problem, Rob accepted the position and has been guiding her ever since. While skiing, she communicates with Rob via Bluetooth headset.
Danelle’s illness, however, did not let her go, and she underwent surgery in March 2017. Titanium was a ganglion cyst in her wrist that was removed after surgery.
Without giving up hope, Danelle and her husband founded Vision4Gold and adorned it with Danelle’s biography.
They also have a son named Brocton. Danelle’s love for her son and husband can be deduced from her social media posts, in which she frequently flaunts her family. For example, on July 16, 2018, she wished her son Brocton a happy birthday on Twitter.
Interestingly, Danelle’s family is completed by her yellow guide dog, Aziza, a Labrador. Betty Lynn, a black Labrador, had been her guide before Aziza.
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