In third grade, Sadie Peroulas’ life was upended by a diagnosis of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a polio-like disease that attacked her nervous system and left her unable to walk for a week.

For six months, Peroulas was in and out of hospitals, trying to stay on top of school work and her second passion, gymnastics.

Right before Peroulas was to move up from the sport’s silver level, AFM left her incapacitated and she ultimately spent four years at silver level, twice as long as her peers.

“I overcame my failure through months of physical therapy, extra practices with coaches and workouts with my mom at the gym,” Peroulas said.

Through sheer force of will and no lack of grit, Peroulas competed for more than 11 years and advanced to the highest level of gymnastics, XCEL Platinum State Champion in 2016 and 2018, and tied for first place on floor at XCEL Diamond State in 2022 and 2023.

Although Peroulas no longer competes, she became a coach at Stars Gymnastics with the single aim of being a better coach than those who’d taught her when she was young.

“I started teaching gymnastics in a way I wish it was taught to me,” Peroulas said. “I have had critical coaches, but I did not have to be a critical coach. While contracting a virus … seemed like an impossible setback, my perseverance led me to so many incredible opportunities years later, not just in gymnastics but in coaching children.

The Pine Creek High School senior with a 4.6 grade-point average will attend Stanford University in the fall and plans to eventually become a pediatrician and genetic researcher specializing in chromosomal disorders. Peroulas’ younger sister Dina is the inspiration behind this career path. “The best sister” was born with Down syndrome and, at an office visit, a pediatrician made a disparaging remark about Dina, stating it was “just the way she is.”

Peroulas already knows how she’d speak to the exhausted, stressed and anxious parents of a child with Down syndrome.

“I would say, ‘Your child is going to impact your lives and the lives of those around you, but it will be in the best way,’” Peroulas said. “Your child can do anything they can dream. They just might need a little more help and support from you.”

The Peroulas family’s support of Dina has encompassed the Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk for the past 10 years, and raising funds for the local Down Syndrome Association.

“Doctors often view disabilities as detrimental, but having a sister with a disability has changed my perspective,” Peroulas said.

It wasn’t until late in elementary school that Peroulas even became aware that Dina was different. When her parents explained how medical professionals viewed Dina and her capabilities, Peroulas said she was beyond livid.

“Dina is my best friend, and I aspire to be as positive as her every day,” Peroulas said. “She is joyful, hilarious and so kind. I truly look up to her. Growing up with Dina meant my perspective has always been that people with disabilities are capable of anything … and I hope to pass on this lesson throughout the communities I join in the future.”

Peroulas’ love of working with children extends from the gymnastics gym to her former school, Mountain View Elementary, where she volunteers multiple days a week.

“I owe so much of her passion and love for education to the school and its teachers,” Peroulas said. “The best part about volunteering there is giving back to the school … the teachers who taught me … children I coach … it’s amazing to see how interconnected our community can be.”