Growing up, my family always enjoyed watching figure skating. A family of non-athletes, it always amazed me to see how effortlessly these skaters traveled down the ice and spun through the air.

I always dreamed that one day I’d be able to skate like these professionals did, but to this day, I can barely move on the ice without having to cling onto the wall enclosing the ice.

One of my favorite skaters has always been Olympic skater Scott Hamilton.

Over the years, I remember hearing that Hamilton had suffered and recovered from cancer, but it wasn’t until this week that I found out Hamilton had not only battled testicular cancer, but he also had two prior brain tumors. He recently received a brain tumor diagnosis for the third time.

My sister sent me an article that included an interview with Hamilton and described his reactions to finding out about the newest tumor.

According to the article, he battled testicular cancer in 1997, and the previous two brain tumors were in 2004 and 2010.

The article stated that while Hamilton consults with specialists around the country to determine how he should proceed with treatment for his newest brain tumor, he is hopeful and relying on his Christian faith.

Though he could easily give up and be depressed about his diagnosis, Hamilton has chosen to celebrate life.

He has inspired me and many others with his positive attitude and focus. He’s not planning on giving up any time soon and is appreciative of all he has been able to accomplish in his life.

In the article, he stated, “The first thing I teach skaters at my skating academy is how to get up — because we’re going to fall. And that’s how I live my life: I’m going to fall down, I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to do all kinds of things that I’m going to wish didn’t happen. But it’s what’s next — it’s how you get up … The more times you get up, the stronger you are to face the next thing, which will happen — because that’s life.”

His example showed me how important attitude and having a positive perspective is. It doesn’t mean that only good things are going to happen to us, but it means that we can handle those trials to the best of our abilities and actually learn from them.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.