Originally Posted by allmike

A little girl--the 20th of 22 children, was born prematurely and her
survival was doubtful. When she was 4 years old, she contracted double
pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with aparalyzed left leg. At age
9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to
walk without it. By 13 she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said
was a miracle. That same year she decided to become a runner. She entered a
race and came in last. For the next few years every race she entered, she
came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running.
One day she actually won a race. And then another. From then on she won
every race she entered. Eventually this little girl--Wilma Rudolph, went on
to win three Olympic gold medals.

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