Soul singer Vivian Green faced every parent’s worst nightmare: her newborn son, Jordan, was not expected to live due to the diagnosis of a mysterious and rare illness. The news was enough to drive her to contemplate suicide.

“When he was born, I was told he would die in seven days and that [if] he [lived he] might be mentally challenged. He was late to walk and talk and he wouldn’t eat for a year and a half. At that point I definitely didn’t want to be here. I didn’t think it could 
get any lower than that,” she reveals.

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Dealing with the pain of Jordan’s condition, in addition to the pain of a recent breakup, helped Vivian to find peace in her faith.

“It’s been almost a year since the Olympics but it feels like five years because so much has happened,” she told the Tom Joyner Morning Show.  Her mother Natalie Hawkins is truly proud of her daughter’ success, but deserves a lion’s share of the credit given the undiluted support she offered her youngest daughter.

“It was not easy but I knew I would have regrets if I didn’t help her pursue it because I was so passionate about it,” Hawkins told the TJMS. “Even at age 8, she was incredibly focused and discipline and I could see how serious she was about it, so I could do no less on my part. She was so incredibly good. All of the coaches and everyone who came into contact with her echoed the same thing. This kid has the most amazing raw talent and most coaches that we worked with said they’d never seen a prodigy like her before.”

Douglas’ entire family supported the effort it took to make her an Olympian. Far from sibling rivalry, Douglas also credits her brother and sister for helping her achieve.

“My brothers and sisters were always supportive. Actually, they gave up their dreams so I could achieve mine. They’ve always been there for me. They’re incredible, they’re amazing and they’ve been supporting me throughout this massive journey and they helped me through the tough times.”