Sunday, June 6, 2010
Natalie du Toit - A fish out of water
Natalie du Toit came from Cape Town South Africa, coming from a working class family, she graduated from university with a bachelor degree in Science, specializing in genetics and phycology. She was a promising young swimmer.
In 2001, du Toit was involved in a scooter accident that left her left leg amputated through the knee. Shortly after leaving the hospital, she was back in the pool, inspiring those aro
und her with her dedication and winning attitude. Only a year following her accident, she became the first sportsperson in history to qualify for a final at an "able-bodied" - not a p
aralympic - international event - the Commonwealth Games.
"My message isn't just about disability. It's about going out there believing in yourself, setting goals, and having dreams. It is difficult to do; if your life is all good things, and there are some bad things, to get through those patches and just to carry on with life. Natalie competed in both able bodied and disability games. She had done what had never been done in the history of sports she broke barriers. Her ambition and passion drove her to success. She wasn't only an inspiration to all sports fans but an inspiration to people who believe in the beauty of their dreams. She did it her self she believed in herself. "Its important to swim your own race and not someone else's," Natalie du Toit. She didn't stop with her swimming she went on with researches to find cures and causes for diseases she wanted to make a difference in more ways than one. she was all that she could be and more!
Natalie's Inspirational Poem...
The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals;
The Tragedy of life lies in my having goals to reach for.
It is not a disgrace not to reach for the stars,
But it is a disgrace not to have stars to reach.
Her inspirational poem is basically telling us much of what Eleanor Roosevelt was telling the world with the quote she stated. Dream big and dare to fail.
Lance Armstrong - Live Strong
Lance Armstrong... the beginning...
Lance Armstrong began his physical career in Texas at the age of 13, displaying a gift early on for the Iron Kids Triatholon - a sport that included a combination of running, swimming, and biking. Not long after, he became a professional cyclist at the age of 16, training with the US olympic team. In 1996 he was ranked the #1 cyclist in the world by winning the Tour de France.
In October of 1996, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer which spread to his lungs and brain. Doctors gave him a 50/50 chance of recovery. which spread to his lungs... cancer left him scarred - physically and emotionally ... best thing that ever happened to me " - complete recovery seemed miraculous - won 7 tour de france - You have two options in life to give up or fight like hell Lance Armstrong was one of those people who fought like hell.
Lance Inspired millions of people from all ages young and old. It started with a dream and became the yellow LIVESTRONG wristband. The LIVESTRONG is a global movement and foundation to provide hope , empowerment and taking control of your life and health.
To me this is a strong symbol that gives people hope and inspiration to believe in there own dreams and to take the next step to complete there dreams.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Rick Hansen- Wheeling Against the Flow
After months of rehabilitaion Rick returned to his first passion; sports. Fuelled by his mantra, rick went on to win 19 international wheelchair marathons, including six medals as a Paralympian. "Courage is being able to recognize fear or act in the face of danger, and to do so with dignity and integrity." - Rick Hansen
Inspiration and passion to make a difference in the lives of others, Rick set out on a journey, his legendary Man in Motion World Tour, on March 21, 1985. Rick wheeled more than 40, 000 km through 34 countries, raising 26 million for SCI research and quality of life programs. He believed in his dreams and it got him to where he is.
25 years have past since the Man in Motion World Tour and till this day Rick Hansen is still making a tremendous difference. He is President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. The foundation is increasingly providing support and care for those living with SCI providing opportunities for them to live to their full potential. Despite a life time of accomplishments, Rick believes his best work is in front of him. Rick Hansen was a man who wheeled his way to the top he never quit when it got difficult. He was a hero for all and we should all follow the ambition he showed and still shows to this day.
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers. Jackie's family was the only black family on their block, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond.
He expe
rienced racial discrimination and abuse during his rise from amateur to professional baseball, but through it all he stayed strong, stuck to what he loved and never gave up. According to Larry Upton, "Jackie Robinson was more than just a great baseball player; he was a great human being." That says a lot about the person that he was and is. Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life. Jackie Robinson. This is exactly the way Jackie lived his life he didn't watch from the sides and let his life go by he realized his dream and broke barriers to achieve it. He was a great role model for not only African Americans but also Americans.
IN 1947, JAckie RObinson engineered the integration of professional sports in America by breaking the color barrier in baseball. Jackie became known not only for his skill as a baseball player but as his efforts as a civil rights activists. He inspired many different people by just doing what he loved. He played it like poker he ne
ver never quit when he was losing and he never quit when he was ahead. He believed in his dream and in doing so he made a bright future for himself and many others
"A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT IN
THE IMPACT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES"
Jackie Robinson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)