Vanessa Atler items are being hawked on Ebay by a mikebaseball. Would that have been her Michael? Has several things listed including her Starting Over diary. Don't know if they are for real or not.

• RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BrenMo, 08:30 AM, 06-02-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BrenMo, 08:32 AM, 06-02-06
    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,Incognito, 09:09 AM, 06-02-06
      • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,lyingchristie, 09:18 AM, 06-02-06
        • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,Incognito, 09:32 AM, 06-02-06
          • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,lyingchristie, 09:43 AM, 06-02-06
            • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,phlinky, 10:45 AM, 06-02-06
              • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,sunshinedrop, 11:10 AM, 06-02-06
                • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,phlinky, 02:13 PM, 06-02-06
                  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BrenMo, 02:55 PM, 06-02-06
                    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,lyingchristie, 03:55 PM, 06-02-06
                    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,DedeV, 05:32 PM, 06-02-06
                  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,petmama, 04:13 PM, 06-02-06
                    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,DedeV, 05:34 PM, 06-02-06
                      • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BHoneycutt, 06:29 PM, 06-02-06
      • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,JustBNMe, 07:19 PM, 06-02-06
        • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BrenMo, 10:13 PM, 06-02-06
• RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,26mitogo, 00:30 AM, 06-03-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,SeasonedRefinement, 02:13 AM, 06-03-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,JustBNMe, 09:37 AM, 06-03-06
• RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,SOfan0221, 06:53 AM, 06-03-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,dopeydwarf, 10:09 AM, 06-03-06
    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,Omniscia, 07:16 AM, 06-04-06
• RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,lyingchristie, 08:45 AM, 06-04-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,BrenMo, 09:14 AM, 06-04-06
• RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay,26mitogo, 04:56 PM, 06-04-06
  • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay(here are some videos),talker67, 11:54 PM, 06-04-06
    • RE: Vanessa's Diary on Ebay(here are some videos),SeasonedRefinement, 01:25 AM, 06-05-06

lol every item you look at that he has already sold, has the same Vanessa gymnist pic on it, whether it is her item or a green cat picture or whatever. lol

>lol every item you look
>at that he has already
>sold, has the same Vanessa
>gymnist pic on it, whether
>it is her item or
>a green cat picture or
>whatever. lol

Oh I see, put my glasses on for the small print, he is advertising her website under the pics.

This will be a fun one to watch. ThankX for the heads up. The seller, mikebaseball, is her brother. The last time I checked her myspace, she was still with the loser boyfriend. She hasn't done much of anything since "graduating" from the Starting Over asylum. Well, unless you consider being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, having the family mortgage their home to send her to some clinic in Hawaii for "treatment" and being cured...
Incognito

>Well, unless you consider being
>diagnosed with fibromyalgia, having the
>family mortgage their home to
>send her to some clinic
>in Hawaii for "treatment" and
>being cured...
>Incognito

Fibro is a very serious illness. I have it with Chronic Fatigue and 3 non-infectious viruses attacking my white blood cells. I have been sick for 3 years now. It's not a fun life to live. If this is the case with Vanessa then it makes sense that she hasn't done much since leaving. This can be a VERY painful. There is no cure for Fibro but there can be treatments and some exercise to relieve some of the pain and muscle/joint problems. Depends on the level her fibro is.

lyingchristie writes:
>Fibro is a very serious illness.
>I have it with Chronic Fatigue
>and 3 non-infectious viruses
>attacking my white blood cells.
>I have been sick for 3 years now.
>It's not a fun life to live. If
>this is the case with Vanessa then
>it makes sense that she hasn't done
>much since leaving. This can be a
>VERY painful. There is no cure for
>Fibro but there can be treatments
>and some exercise to relieve some of
>the pain and muscle/joint problems.
>Depends on the level her fibro is.

Psssttttt...you don't need to preach to the choir on this one. I've had this Dx for over twenty-five years. Yes, that long. Had my blood sent to the CDC and had a team of doctors headed up by a representative from THE Mayo Clinic. It sukkkksss, big time. I have caught a few blurbs that "medicine" is about to make a breakthrough though. LOL.
Incognito

>
>Psssttttt...you don't need to preach to
>the choir on this one.
>I've had this Dx for
>over twenty-five years. Yes, that
>long. Had my blood sent
>to the CDC and had
>a team of doctors headed
>up by a representative from
>THE Mayo Clinic. It sukkkksss,
>big time. I have caught
>a few blurbs that "medicine"
>is about to make a
>breakthrough though. LOL.
>Incognito

My hat off to you for dealing with this illness and managing it for 25 years. WOW. The first year and a half I was literally in bed. I wasn't preaching just explaining. I'm not one for preaching. Your post made it seem like you might not have believed her, which as you know happens often with Fibro. My specialist here in So. CA let me know a couple of weeks ago about the breakthrough they are close to with Fibro and also the viruses attacking my blood cells. Thank goodness. Fibro/CFS came out the same time HIV did in 1979. I hope for so many people that the breathrough comes quickly. Yes, I agree it truly suxxxx!!

Wondering what place Vanessa is at in Hawaii for treatment and what type of treatment it is. Any clue Incognito?

If you read one of the auctions on Ebay, it states that she will autograph the item once it sells. This means that she is endorsing this or selling this herself and is too ashamed to put her name out there or doesn't have enough experience on Ebay to do so.

I think this is really low or she is really desperate for money to auction off a diary etc.

What is next, her used underwear (which is against Ebay policy I might ad)?

She's sick!!!!! She may have bills to pay! Plus, I have bought stuff on ebay for people I know who didn't have an account. Maybe her brother is helping her out-I don't see anything wrong with that.

My point was that she is not fessing up to the fact that she is the one who is selling these things. If she is so hard up for cash, how about working a nine to five job like the rest of us?

I sell on Ebay...so I do not knock it at all. In fact, it is a great way to clear out merchandise (new) from our store that doesn't sell. It is the product she is selling that goes against the grain.

Maybe she should find a publisher and write a book about her diary and her experience instead of hawking a personal diary. If a publisher is not interested, than that should tell her something.

It just seems to me to be a breach of ethics.

Oh TRUST me, if she has FM, she can most likely not stand to work a 9-5 job. Because she is NOT like everyone else. I was diagnosed with it in 1978 when a lot of doctors even, hadn't heard of it. It hurts, and that's just putting it mildly. You don't even have the time, and this isn't the place, to hear all about it. You can be fine one minute and the next crash and burn and someone has to help you get to a bed, where I usually am for 3 days. This happens to me about once a week or so now. And my hubby was just diagnosed with it a couple of months ago, and he hasn't come to grips with it yet.

So Vanessa's days of being on a balance beam are over with, and most likely there won't be any 9-5 jobs either unless she has a very very lenient boss.

You other girls with FM, do you all visit a message board somewhere?

Thanks,
Bren

>
>You other girls with FM, do
>you all visit a message
>board somewhere?
>
>Thanks,
>Bren

I was a gymnast as a kid. I fell bad hearing about Vanessa having Fibro and being so young.

You are right Bren, one day I am great but a great day could mean 3 bad days. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Fibro is but one small portion of whats been happening to me the past 3 years. I am 44. I was a very active person and then one day, BAM, in bed. Haven't been the same since. Last year I was accepted for SS. Not really want I invision for Vanessa. Hopefully, this treatment center will help her deal with the pain and mental aspect of it.

I use to frequent a Fibro board on AOL but I guess at this point I found it more depressing than informative. More complaining than being in the solution kinda thing. I would love to find an online community about this that is informative.

ok sorry so off topic (won't happen again). If you want Bren you can send me an Private Message and we can chat that way.

I completely agree. I have had FM for 12 years and I have to take narcotic pain killers and soma (strong muscle relaxer) to work and I have a fairly easy job physically, but tough mentally. I'm a junior high teacher!

I think a book would be a good idea. Maybe one for teen girls. She'd make more money doing this than just selling her diary on EBAY.

I agree, but I am amazed that there are 8 days left and it is already over $300!

"Mikebaseball" has changed his eBay user ID to "vanessaatler". Wow, they're making a killing off her stuff!

I remember reading on her website (not a myspace one but one she has since dismantled) that she thought she had fibro after she left the SOH but it was later determined that it was an injury from an accident of some sort and not fibro at all. I have fibro and was watching her diary entries on her old site with great interest since she was talking about fibro and then found she didn't have it. She was trying to get people to send her monet for treatment on her old site as well. I can't believe that she and her the person selling things for her is so hard up that she has sold some of her medals on eBay as well in past auctions. It is sad. BTW she is selling a step down from her underwear she is selling a used leotard.

Yeah I wouldn't want the used leotard either. lol I can only imagine a kinky pervert wanting that.

I'm glad she doesn't have FM then, cause it sure aint fun. Life doesn't look too good right now, have had this thing for all my adult life and will be 55 in July. Can't do any of the old fun stuff like fishing and hunting with my hubby. He can't do it either now. Living on $830 a month, just not a lot to look forward to at this young age. lol

But....with the Grace of God I can get through anything till my time is up.....but it sure is nice to watch the fun shows I like to get me through the long hours of being stuck in bed. Does anyone know if we are making any headway in the save SO campaign???

Vanessa Atler still has a HUGE fan following in the gymnastics world. She will probably get many more bids from her gymnastics fans on anything she sells than she would from the few that followed her after her days on SO. She is, IMO, the most talented gymnast this country has ever seen. As I said on another thread, the only reason Vanessa didn't become an Olympic champion (and a houshold name) was because of what the ADULTs (coaches, media, etc.) did to her. It was painful seeing her struggle her last couple of years. She was like watching magic in motion - like no one I have ever seen before or since. As is common, the adults who have these childrens minds in their hands care only about what they can get from the kids. But I could write volumes on the subject. What Vanessa went thru & what Niambi was dealing with is the same as soooo many who were very athletic highly talented kids.

Last I heard (early this year) someone had asked Vanessa to write a book about what she went through. I hope she is still planning to do it. It NEEDS to be written.

If it is her brother selling stuff for her (I haven't gone to eBay to look at her items) he may now be helping her since she helped fund his college. I know her family was trying to help her since she never got the chance to begin working regularly & full time before she became ill. She had only been home from SO a short time before the accident. And the reason she went riding (wasn't it dirt bikes or something?) was because she finally began taking chances after SO.

JustBNMe ~ when did Vanessa announce that she did not have Fibro? Last I heard anything was mid-Jan'06. Was it after that? As of Jan. she was still very ill and in pain. If not fibro (which is VERY commonly mis-diagnosed ... many with it get dx of something else, and many with something else get a dx of fibro) what did she say she had?

By the way, selling her old leotards is VERY common in the gymnastics world. In fact, most gymnasts sell theirs as they outgrow them so they can buy more. The girls who do the higher levels spend 30-50 hrs/week in a gym so their leos are their "fashion" clothes. Also, when they win competitions, achieve certain levels, etc. they get free leos from meet sponsors, state & national orgs, etc. Vanessa would have gotten more than she could possibly have used. She also modeled for a gymnastics leotard catalog and would have been given MANY leotards from them and I'm sure dozens of other places. Someone who achieved what she did in the sport would have gotten hundreds! My daughter competed many years and never competed internationally, as did Vanessa -- she has leotards she's never worn. Many were given to her for specific competitions, worn once for only a short time ... with briefs & sport bra under. MUCH less wear than most used items on eBay or anywhere, for that matter. These girls usually have more leotards than everything else in their closets added together.

I would love to hear that Vanessa is doing OK. She was soooo young to start struggling with FM. My illness is in the same family (but isn't specifically FM) and, like many of you upthread, I went from running marathons one day to being bed-ridden the next. It's been 7 yrs for me ... and MANY docs, clinics, tests, including Emory & Mayo (like other posters). I cried for Vanessa when I found out she was ill. I knew the struggle she had ahead of her. I pray she is OK now.

Thanks 26. Before hearing it from you, I hadn't comprehended the scope of Vanessa's success. She wasn't a bragger, but I do remember her saying that she came close to being an Olympian in 2000. From what you say, she got about as close as she possibly could. What a crushing disappointment the whole episode must have been for her. In any endeavor, there are always unsavory characters just waiting for the next "big thing" to appear so that they can latch on to that person and ride them into the limelight. So sad.

I wish that SO would have played a video of Vanessa performing a routine on the day she gave her story. That might have told us a lot more about her -- same thing with Niambi. I recall it being said that she held several national athletic titles, but the LC's were much more interested in Situation Man or how Niambi was upsetting Christie. Anyway, compare Vanessa and Niambi to their SO counterparts; those HG's who are still engaging in relentless, self-promotion, as though their pre-SO mediocrity and one season on a "help me" reality show makes them celebs.

Maybe one day Vanessa will put her story on paper. I'd buy it. I guess they'll be no SO chapter though...I think she's selling all her notes, lol.

Let's hope her health improves.

26mitogo I don't know exactly when she announced she didn't have the fibro I am not a huge fan of hers so it wasn't something I felt the need to remember in great detail. She put it in her diary log on her old website vanessascorner.com. (Which has since been taken down) It was determined that it was not fibro that was causing her issues but rather an injury from a dirt bike accident that was causing problems. I know I was somewhat surprised that she had asked for donations so she could go to Hawaii to get state of the art treatment for the fibro and other expenses and was using her stint on SO to get sympathy and money from viewers. It changed my opinion of her and then when she said it wasn't the fibro I was not surprised because her symptoms overall were not in line with fibro. It was talked about on another MB I was involved on last year and they talked about it being a scam ot get money and to get people to bid on her eBay items. Back to the topic at hand I personally would not to buy someone's used leotard. It's like wearing someone else's bathing suit, underwear or pantyhose. ICK! I can't feature the diary being that interesting to pay over $300 for. If it was truly about her as a person she wouldn't have listed SO in the title of her auction she would have simply used her name. They are hoping that the demise of SO will make it appear more appealing and like a collector's item of the show itself. LOL. What's next for these HG? Selling a wad of gum chewed while on camera or maybe a used tissue shown when they were crying on the show?

Vanessa had started selling items on ebay shortly after her stay on SO. Not sure if the timeline would have been when she diagnosed with Fibro.

IMHO Vanessa is one of the very few SO guests who really needed the financial support her ebay items gives her. I read her blog on her website when she was discussing going through the fibro diagnosis as she had no insurance. It all came about shortly after she left so.

Vanessa has had more than her share of heartache, with or without the loser boyfriend.

I wish her only the best. I don't look at her auctions as capitalizing on so when I view the others such as Christie, Jodi, Christina, and Miss Jill and her doggie capes. Gawd!!!

Say, are any of those outfits that she's selling the one picked by Andy?
I read the diary entries on the item descriptiopn--not alot there.

____________________________________________________________________________

I'd rather be at Disneyworld

LAST EDITED ON 06-04-06 AT 07:39 AM (EST)

I liked Vanessa very much-- I thought she was very sweet and genuine. As soon as I saw her first come to SO, I was like, Is that Vanessa Atler?!?! And I am not even a gymnastics fanatic, I just remember her being HUGE in the sport, Reese's Peanut Butter cup commercials, etc., and the downfall was so extraordinary. I watched the Olympic Tryouts and when they announced the team members, I recall the commentators in shock saying, "Who would have ever thought Vanessa Atler would not have been a member of this team?"

Not that this has anything to do with her having fibro or not. I just don't think it's a big deal that she's hawking items on Ebay-- the way any other athlete often does. Selling Superbowl rings and what not. I don't think it has anything to do with SO "fame."

Her pain must have been tremendous-- fibro or not-- to have sidelined her for so long. From what I understand, she performed on injured limbs with regularity when she was in the sport-- and she said this was the worst pain she ever had.

When Vanessa's Corner was up and running, she had-- pretty recently, I think-- posted pictures of herself coaching young gymnasts. So she has been working on accomplishing her goal. And she looked like she lost all the weight. Best of luck to her.

Bren, I sent you an email. Not sure if it's through this board your email addy. But I sent you info on Fibro boards.

Good luck.

Thanks, I didn't know how this worked either. The SO board emailed it to me, and I answered just now. Thanks.

I am one that sure didn't know how high up in the sports world Vanessa was either. How interesting. And I never thought about all the free leotards that might be given, as one of you explained. My mind was just thinking used leotards. I imagine especially with someone high up she was given a lot of sports type things from companies hoping she would be a sponsor for them.

I hope she is feeling better and can do something that makes her happy. She was a sweet girl, she does need to ditch her boyfriend though. So many women would be so much better off single than with jerk men in their lives (I have 2 daughters in that catagory) I don't know why they think they can't make it on their own.

Off topic: I read Niambi's latest post, I am so glad she has gotten rid of situation man. What a loser. She sounds like she is doing great now! I'm so happy for her!

Boy I sure hope they don't cancel SO permanently. I have so enjoyed that show. I didn't know about it first season and only found it in the middle of the night when I was up a few nights with FM pain. I watched a while and kept thinking what IS this, is it for real? Are they just acting? I got hooked and have watched every day since then. I think they should advertise the show, they'd get a lot more viewers. I have never once since a commercial for it, why not?

Bren

For those who didn't realize how exceptional Vanessa was in gymnastics, (which, by the way, has been reported by sports research institutes as one of the most difficult sports there is since you have to be extremely strong, perfectly balanced, move like a ballerina, precise within a mini-fraction of an inch ... all while looking as if you are putting no effort into it) Vanessa's scores actually DID qualify her for the 6 member 2000 Olympic team. She had an uncharacteristic fall on vault & other unusual wobbles the last day of trials but her scores were still high enough to qualify for the team ... and most believed she would have shaken off her doubts once she was actually on the team. Olympic trials has been reported by all past candidates as 1000 time more stressful than the actual Olympics ... it's a L-O-N-G drawn out process that actually lasts MONTHS where every move at every workout & competition EVERY DAY is watched, calculated, judged, & evaluated.

In 2000 gymnastics adopted a new Olympic selection process ... which was scrapped after the fiasco that year. Vanessa had the scores that would have put her on the Olympic team but the agreement was that the committee had final say regardless of scores. They gave themselves an hr or 2 after the last of US Nationals, Olympic Trial Semi-finals, then Finals to decided. Bela Karolyi was made head of the committee shortly before trials. Vanessa was the choice by many on the committee in spite of her stumbles. They were within MINUTES of their deadline without a final decision about Vanessa, as many still wanted her on the team since she had always been one of the US's best gymnasts ever. She had been FAR better than any of the others over the previous several years. She'd been plastered over every known worldwide publication in the sport for 3 - 4 yrs & was admired by the best in the sport throughout the world. But that was part of her difficulty. Too much was expected and everyone in the sport put the future success of the US on her shoulders for 4 solid years ... beginning when she won Jr.Ntls at age 14 just before the '96 Olympics! With only a couple minutes left for the team selection Karolyi had final say. Vanessa was out.

Ironically, in recent interviews Bela Karolyi says Vanessa, along with Mary Lou Retton and Carly Patterson, are the best US gymnasts he has ever seen!! The sports world and gymnastics in particular puts so much pressure on these CHILDREN. Vanessa had to be perfect for far too many years. Mary Lou Retton wasn't very well known before her Olympic performance and Carly Patterson was among the largest mix ever of stars in the sport before her outstanding performance. In fact, Carly placed 3rd at the end of her Olympic trials. Vanessa was a stand-out hopeful in this country after the team surprised the world with their gold in Atlanta in '96. The others were good but not spectacular like Vanessa. That much pressure for 4 years ... I don't know many adults who could handle that.

OK, I admit, I have far too much info & far too much interest in the sport. But we ate, slept, and breathed it in this house for over 10 years. Sorry. I just don't think many outside the sport realize what an amazing athlete Vanessa is. And she is also very shy and unassuming. She is usually embarrased when recognized and feels she let down a lot of people when she faltered. She has never felt like a star and struggled with being well-known. She usually has to be talked into appearing, speaking, interviews, etc. I am planning to send her a message soon and if I hear back from her I will post an update if anyone is interested.

I did check on some of the medals & awards Vanessa has placed for sale. The medals I saw are the ones from the US governing federation used in most sanctioned meets of any size. I saw a trophy from a meet I'd never heard of ... not one from her biggest wins.

And yes, Vanessa would have gotten boat-loads of "stuff" during her 4 most successful years ... especially from companies speculating on her future success in the Olympics. She would have gotten another "boat-laod of stuff" from competitions, US gymnastics federation, etc. She also toured with the Olympic champions right after the Olympics. I'd be surprised if she DIDN'T want to rid herself of much of it. And since she still has many who admire her abilities and accomplishments, there would be a lot of interest in her autograph alone. One family I saw who bid on her diary has bought many of her things in the past. They have also bought a lot of other gymnastics stuff from eBay. My guess: a family with a young girl coming up through the ranks. Just a guess

I agree Vanessa was one of the best gymnast I have ever seen. In 1999(at the US National Championship) when Steve Rybacki treated her the way he did on National television and put her in tears it just broke my heart, I think she stated on Starting Over, that is when she lost total respect for him. I say good for Vanessa. I said it then and say it now, she was sooooooooo robbed in 2000.
Anyway, if there are any of you that would want to see any of her routines here is a site that has several.
http://www.shanfan.com/videos/atler/atlervideos.html
I recommend the beam routine from the 1999 American Cup the one that is blinking new, She did this routine immediately after falling off of the Uneven Bars, just look how fast she shook it off and went on. This just one year before the Olympics. Sad I tell you, just sad. I also recommend the one from 1998 Rock and Roll Challenge, the second routine. That was just awesome.

About selling her diary. I just hope that she doesn't regret it later. JMO but it seems like that is something she would want to keep forever.

Thank you talker67 for posting that link. I just spent 40 minutes watching and rewatching an absolute powerhouse! I feel inspired to get in shape! You're right 67, the Rock 'n Roll floor routine was incredible. Not only was Vanessa incredibly skilled, but she looked like she was having a blast. One of the commentators made an interesting observation: Vanessa does not have the typical waif-like (my word, can't remember her word) body that gymnasts usually have -- she's got shorter muscle length and a chunkier build, but she is just as agile. There is no doubt there were plenty of people betting on this girl's talent and skill. 26, your explanation of the 2000 judgment is incredibly tragic. How can something like that ever be righted - it was a moment in time, it's gone. How absolutely awful for Vanessa. There is a book in that girl, and I hope she writes it, I really do. I would love to know what was going on behind that steely exterior.

If you guys were impressed with Vanessa's dancing audition on SO, prepare yourselves for something far more impressive. This young lady belongs behind an ABC Sports microphone commentating at the competitions of the up and coming gymnasts.

To the other SO HG celeb wannabees: Vanessa was one of your number who has magnetism and talent. As she performed, I could not take my eyes off of her. The rest of you, take a look at it. You need to know what the REAL deal looks like. Then, please, all of you -- take your junk and your double-talk and just go away and stop pretending.