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Daredevil Debbie Lawler

Ranked #6,304 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #78,653 overall

My Favorite Toy as a Child

Do you remember Daredevil Debbie?

When I was a young child, Daredevil Debbie was everywhere! She was on TV, in comic books and she was REAL! Daredevil Debbie was based on upon real life daredevil Debbie Lawler.

A female version of Evel Knievel, Debbie Lawler was a motorcycle stunt driver and jumper in the 1970's. In February of 1974, Daredevil Debbie broke Evel Knievel's indoor world record by jumping 16 Chevy pickups for a total of 101 feet.

"I thrive on knowing I may not make it. I feel I've accomplished something when I land safely." Do you remember this Flying Angel?

I received Daredevil Debbie for Christmas one year and also got Evel Knievel. I was a happy kid! Let me tell you how these two influenced me.

Toys Influence Children

I was a tomboy. I was the oldest of two children and spent a lot of time figuring out how things worked and how things didn't.

Daredevil Debbie was my favorite toy. I could make her jump all of my Tonka dump trucks in a single jump! Well, Debbie had a green bike... I had a green bike. So I wanted to be a daredevil too!

I was known as an "Emergency Room Child". I spent an awful lot of time there. Not only did I have severe food allergies, that we didn't find out about until I was 28 years old, but I had a tendency to break stuff.

ME, for instance.

It Started Out Great!

I started at the top of a very steep driveway which was nestled at the top of a very steep hill! I had created a ramp at the bottom of the hill and placed 13 (yes, I should have known then) red bricks spaced approximately 2 feet apart beyond the ramp.

With just the Ace of Spades in my spokes and the wind at my back, off I went! Thinking back, maybe I should have used the Joker.

How Did It End?


I ended up much the same as Debbie Lawler did in the picture above.

In March of 1974, Debbie cleared 15 Datsuns for 104 feet, but crashed on the landing and fractured three vertebrae.

I should have remembered to bring my Wonder Woman cape so that I could have remained airborne after leaving the bike. It seems Debbie Lawler forgot her cape too.

So I found out how that DIDN'T work. Meanwhile, the Emergency Room doctors waited for me to get there. Once again I was broken. I don't remember the exact injuries I received as battle scars but I do now know 13 is an unlucky number for me.

You can read more about the beautiful and daring Debbie Lawler here.

Motorcycle Daredevils

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Evel Knievel's Mantra

"You are never a failure so long as you pick yourself up and keep trying."

~

Holley's Mantra

"IF you can pick yourself up, you are probably okay."

For You Daredevils

To me, this is the greatest daredevil ever. **This is the Wembley Stadium 1975 jump**

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More Motorcycle Daredevils

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Were You A Daredevil?

  • Tipi Mar 25, 2012 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    We used to put cards in our spokes but I never took after Daredevil Debbie like you....thought about doing a lot of stuff and rethought with the injury factored in. I did managed to crush my thumb twice though...once after putting it in a railroad jack where my Dad said not to put it and the other time by car door...never did either one again. I grew up watching Evil Knievel, had to watch the jump again with my heart in my throat! I wonder what his pain threshold was in those days. Daredevil Debbie took us all by surprise when she broke that record for sure. I took a more artistic route I guess though I always loved the outdoors.
  • bloomingrose Mar 17, 2012 @ 5:27 am | delete
    I am absolutely not a daredevil. My son Nick on the other hand is a total one. I remember the argument we had where he insisted that I sign off on his skydiving at the age of sixteen - against his father's wishes I must add. He was going to find a way to fake an ID card so he could do it. Well, he got past that without the skydiving or the fake ID, but he is still a daredevil. I love to travel, but not move around fast.
  • Nelson Mar 16, 2012 @ 3:41 pm | delete
    I am no daredevil but im very proud to know one. Aunt debbie is as sweet as she is fun,and kind. I was happy to read this story. Im sure it touched very much.
  • jeff caskey Jan 31, 2012 @ 10:04 pm | delete
    Good luck Shelly, Debbie doesn't even have one herself.
  • Shelly Jan 31, 2012 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    I wish I could find this old toy.. any ideas?
  • Jeff Caskey Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:19 am | delete
    I met Debbie at her Phoenix home through a personal friend of hers. She is a very fun loving and sweet lady. We talked and she showed me many of her video's she had of her jumps, even the one that landed her in the hospital with 3 broken vertebrae. I wish I would have known her back in the day as we would have been good friends.
  • poddys Jan 4, 2012 @ 2:12 am | delete
    I haven't heard of her before, even though she came to Wembley Stadium, but that was 2 years before I moved to London and I was at university and not really watching a lot of news at the time. I wonder what she is doing now? Probably nursing some aches and pains from all of those breaks I guess.
  • nikons210 Jan 1, 2011 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    Daredevils are just people who enjoy life with their vehicle

    Motorcycle Clock
  • JenOfChicago Nov 25, 2009 @ 10:39 am | delete
    I never had heard of Debbie before reading this, but I think she's awesome!
  • mysticmama Oct 12, 2009 @ 5:28 pm | delete
    Fun lens! Congratulations on graduating RocketMom!
  • Treasures-By-Brenda Aug 28, 2009 @ 7:16 pm | delete
    Thanks for the intro to Debbie.
    Well done & blessed.
  • Sojourn Aug 23, 2009 @ 7:52 pm | delete
    I loved Evel Knievel as a kid. Watched every jump. I remember my brothers and sister and I waiting and waiting for the next one. Legendary, heady stuff for us kids. Now, I never tried to actually imitate a jump or I'd have been...well....much like you! LOL :) Great job!
  • happynutritionist Aug 23, 2009 @ 1:36 pm | delete
    Have never heard of this, but like the lens, 5 stars and lensrolled:-) claudia
  • capriliz Aug 23, 2009 @ 7:52 am | delete
    Great lens. Love your story!
  • luvmyludwig Aug 22, 2009 @ 8:53 pm | delete
    great job! I featured it on mine :)
  • JustBon-Crochet-Designs Aug 22, 2009 @ 1:07 am | delete
    Daredevil Debbie? I don't remember her, and I'm sure she wasn't based in Dallas ;) Fun lens, Holley :)
  • MsSnow4a Aug 21, 2009 @ 1:35 pm | delete
    Wow!! i dont recall that one at all. Looked like you had some great fun with her. Nice lens :)
  • Adelie Aug 21, 2009 @ 12:55 am | delete
    Thank you Holley and Wow! you are DAREDEVIL HOLLEY!!!
  • momto4 Aug 20, 2009 @ 11:56 pm | delete
    Interesting lens! I have never heard of Daredevil Debbie either, but she sounds fascinating!
  • KaraLynnRussell Aug 20, 2009 @ 7:49 pm | delete
    Holley,
    I love how you brought in the personal aspect to tie in with the toy assignment. Definitely kept me interested.
  • kimmanleyort Aug 20, 2009 @ 4:01 pm | delete
    Just love the way you wrote this lens. It was a great story.
  • SherryHolderHunt Aug 20, 2009 @ 3:02 pm | delete
    Great lens! Was I a Daredevil...does riding your bicycle off of a two story building under-construction into a gravel pit count? 5*s and faved
  • Val_Bonney Aug 19, 2009 @ 5:44 am | delete
    Never loved daredevil stunts myself, but loved this lens, Holley! My son had an Evel Knievel stunt cycle and action figure, which he loved :)
  • GonnaFly Aug 18, 2009 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    A very entertaining lens. I had never heard of Daredevil Debbie either.
  • theraggededge Aug 18, 2009 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    Really good lens - I used to do stuff too. Had a contest with some neighbouring kids to see who could jump off the highest stair in their house. Hurt my arm but their granny rubbed it better. Later discovered it was broken - ouch.
  • sandyspider Aug 18, 2009 @ 10:38 am | delete
    Very cool toy!
  • JaguarJulie Aug 18, 2009 @ 6:50 am | delete
    Gosh, I heard of Debbie does Dallas -- was that this Debbie per chance? Missed out on that doll -- she sounds like a LOT of fun! Yep, I too was that ER child -- as were a few of my siblings. Something in the genes for 'getting into trouble' as kids. ;)
  • BarbRad Aug 18, 2009 @ 5:26 am | delete
    Nope. I rarely took risks. I was the quiet child reading a book about other people taking the risks and having adventures. I played with dolls and sometimes caterpillars and snails -- whatever was handy. My adventures were all in books or in my imagination.
  • JenniferAkers Aug 18, 2009 @ 12:56 am | delete
    I had never heard of Daredevil Debbie, though I remember being fascinated by Evil Knievel. Great lens!
  • seashell2 Aug 17, 2009 @ 10:19 pm | delete
    Great lens Holley, I remember my brother loved Evil Kneivel but never heard of Dare Devil Debbie! Thanks for sharing this, you go girl!
  • Sylvestermouse Aug 17, 2009 @ 9:22 pm | delete
    Really neat lens! I have never heard of Daredevil Debbie, but the way you wrote your story is hilarious! Thanks for sharing it.
  • Brookelorren Aug 17, 2009 @ 6:40 pm | delete
    I've never heard of her before, but you did a good job explaining it. Interesting lens!
  • rms Aug 17, 2009 @ 2:26 pm | delete
    Thanks for sharing this great daredevil story!
  • clouda9 Aug 17, 2009 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    What a fun lens! I knew you had spunk...and you still do! 5*'s and off to write my girly lens ;)
  • GrowWear Aug 17, 2009 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    Wow! Totally missed Daredevil Debbie Lawler. Did not know about her. Learned of two daredevils in one afternoon -- Debbie. And you. :)
  • a_willow Aug 17, 2009 @ 10:56 am | delete
    Didn't your mommy teach you not to play with bikes? :) Wonderful lens Holley!
  • Stazjia Aug 17, 2009 @ 10:13 am | delete
    Like you, I was a tomboy, playing with my brother's toys and climbing trees. I broke my wrist by the time I was 5 falling out of a tree, dislocated a shoulder another time, and ended up with concussion when a nervous horse I was riding bolted after some idiot in a car hit his horn just behind us. I did stay on for 3 miles, though, in spite of losing my stirrups early on.

    Great lens showing girls can be as brave and daring as boys.
  • Pukeko Aug 17, 2009 @ 9:36 am | delete
    I don't remember the doll, but I loved your story. My kids would love this doll if she were still around. Nice to see a strong adventure seeking female toy!
  • drifter0658 Aug 17, 2009 @ 9:23 am | delete
    Daredevils like Evel Knievel, Daredevil Debbie, and Hazard Holley make me swoon. When is your life size action figure coming out? I want one.
  • Heather426 Aug 17, 2009 @ 9:18 am | delete
    well, who knew? Holley the daredevil! what a fun lens! 5*
  • shajo Aug 17, 2009 @ 7:33 am | delete
    Cool Debbie doll! I liked the Evel jump video. I remember seeing that on TV when I was little. Oh my gosh he almost didn't make it. What a fun lens! :)
  • BevsPaper Aug 17, 2009 @ 6:46 am | delete
    Great lens, Holley! I was a bit of a tomboy myself. I wasn't a true daredevil but I did learn that while racing your bike it is never a good idea to slam on the brakes in loose gravel. The result can be a concussion and a spanking for racing down that street in the first place.
  • bdkz Aug 17, 2009 @ 6:25 am | delete
    I remember this toy! They should bring this back!
  • WindyWinters Aug 17, 2009 @ 4:41 am | delete
    Great Toy Memories. I never had a Debbie; just Barbie's. But I had a blue Datsun and a bike but I never combined the two. I had a few spills on my bike but no driving accidents. Well, do parked cars really count, lol!
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About 24Websurf

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Daredevil Debbie

3-23-2012

by

24websurf

Hi I'm Holley, a Squid Angel, mom to one 19 year old son and a one large furry kid. I'm also coupon shopper who loves to save and stockpile!... more »

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