Aly Raisman, star of the 2012 Olympic “Fierce Five” gold medal-winning USA gymnastics team, said writing her recently-released book helped her heal from the sexual abuse she incurred at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar, according to a Sunday CBS News report.
Her new book, “From My Head to My Toes,” is a ” joyful ode to loving and caring for our bodies,” according to the publisher’s website.
US gymnast Alexandra Raisman performs during the women’s beam competition of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. China’s Deng Linlin won gold while Sui Lu won the silver medal, with Alexandra Raisman of the United States taking the bronze medal. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
US gymnast Alexandra Raisman celebrates with the gold medal on the podium of the women’s team final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on July 31, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Alexandra Raisman of the United States attempts to stay on the balance beam in the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Individual All-Around final on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Raisman also wants the book to teach children to speak up for themselves in a way she didn’t when she was younger.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Aly Raisman speaks at the Retail Influencer CEO Forum featuring the Z Suite at Crosby Street Hotel on September 12, 2022 in New York City. Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Berns Communications Group
US gymnast Alexandra Raisman performs on the beam during the women’s team final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on July 31, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
“I think that teaching kids that their voices are powerful and that they’re all unique and beautiful in their own way,” she told CBS News. “If they feel confused or want to ask questions that it’s really important for them to speak up and it’s really essential that the adults around them really listen to them and empower them.” (RELATED: Celebrate Olympic Gymnast’s Birthday With This Slideshow Of Her Greatest Looks)
Raisman claimed in 2017 that she was sexually abused by former Team USA Olympic doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar pled guilty to multiple charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2017. Raisman, who said she was 15 when Nassar began abusing her, was one of many USA gymnasts who came forward to say they were abused. Among them was Raisman’s Fierce Five teammate, McKayla Maroney.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 15: Former U.S. Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman (L) and McKayla Maroney arrive for a news conference in the Russell Senate Office Building after testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. Raisman, Maroney and other champion gymnasts testified about the abuse they experienced at the hands of Larry Nassar, the now-imprisoned U.S. women’s national gymnastics team doctor, and the Federal Bureau of Investigatoin’s lack of urgency when handling their cases. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in federal prison in 2017. He also reached a $380 million settlement with survivors of his alleged sexual abuse, including Raisman, Maroney and famed Olympian Simone Biles.