
Soap Box Racer Not Letting Obstacles Stop Her
Clip: Season 4 Episode 391 | 3m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Meet a racer who's switching things up in the world of Soap Box Derby racing.
From thoroughbreds to Corvettes, we have the 'need for speed' here in Kentucky. That includes Soap Box Derby racing with origins dating back to the 1930s. A Bowling Green girl isn't letting any obstacles keep her from crossing the finish line.
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Kentucky Edition is a local public television program presented by KET

Soap Box Racer Not Letting Obstacles Stop Her
Clip: Season 4 Episode 391 | 3m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
From thoroughbreds to Corvettes, we have the 'need for speed' here in Kentucky. That includes Soap Box Derby racing with origins dating back to the 1930s. A Bowling Green girl isn't letting any obstacles keep her from crossing the finish line.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipFinally tonight, from Thoroughbreds to Corvettes, we have the need for speed here in Kentucky.
That includes soapbox derby racing with origins dating back to the 1930s.
Now, a Bowling green girl isn't letting any obstacles keep her from crossing the finish line.
And we have her story.
I've been going downhill, trying to stay straight in my lane and trying to just give my best.
Nine year old Gabby Bilberry is one of the dozens of kids taking part this spring, and the All-American Soapbox Derby and Bowling Green.
She's got a little more confidence and she showed it today.
She did great going down the hill.
I heard about So Much to Win that it might be something that I would like to do.
That was three years ago and despite some challenges, she keeps coming back to the track.
She went out four times, she crashed four times.
But she's very tough, very resilient, and she stuck with it.
Gabby's resilience isn't just in steering and breaking her stock car.
I just try to tell myself what I know I can do.
She's doing so without fully formed legs to reach a brake pedal.
The only difference in her car and any of the others is the braking system.
Race organizers found a way to retrofit Gabby's car with a toggle switch for braking when.
She crosses that finish line, flips the toggle switch, screeches her to a stop.
It's great to see the support from folks that are willing to reach out and find ways for her to compete at the same level as other kids.
Those folks include David Holland.
As a member of Kiwanis Club, he's been involved with Soapbox Derby for decades.
The coolest thing is seeing the smile on her face when she gets in the car.
She's like every other kid out there.
Focus on that finish line.
Holland installed a pneumatic air cylinder in Gabby's car so she can use her hands to come to a stop, right?
He added a bike so I would be able to drive it and stop it without crashing.
So literally with the flip of a switch, the brake pedal goes down and it stays down.
We were able to put her at the same level as everyone else, so she can compete against her peers in the same way.
Leveling the playing field has been a lifelong journey for Gabby and her parents.
She was born a congenital amputee on Thanksgiving Day 2016 and adopted by the Bill brace the very next day.
She has persevered with top reading scores in her third grade class and her interest in hobbies like rock climbing and, yes, soapbox derby racing.
I'm done pretty good, really fun.
And I just like meeting new friends and doing this.
She'll be doing this over the next few weeks.
Gearing up for race day number one on June 5th is.
Two days of the racing, and I want to make it to the second day.
Her dad Travis says Gabby sets an example.
We could all learn from.
If you have obstacles.
That's okay.
You just have to find a workaround.
We're all very proud of her and her resilience.
There's that word again resilience.
Something Gabby demonstrates on the track and on season for Kentucky edition.
I'm Laura Rogers.
Thank you Laura.
We're all big fans of Gabby.
The All-American Soapbox Derby is June 5th and sixth in Bowling Green.
Winners advance to the World Championships in Akron, Ohio this July.
And we wish Gabby all the best of luck in the world.
See her soon, I'm sure.
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Clip: S4 Ep391 | 2m 41s | Kentucky communities take action to stop data centers. (2m 41s)
Kentucky Gets High Marks for Student Academic Recovery
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Clip: S4 Ep391 | 5m 16s | Kentucky's getting national recognition for getting students back on track in reading and math. (5m 16s)
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Clip: S4 Ep391 | 4m 17s | The Better Business Bureau shares what scams to look out for this summer. (4m 17s)
Mind Matters Summit Encourages Brain Health
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Clip: S4 Ep391 | 3m 35s | Advice to keep your brain healthy at the Mind Matters Summit. (3m 35s)
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