The Power Of Belief - A True Story

On June 23, 1940 in Clarksville, Tennessee an African American baby girl named Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born prematurely weighing just 4.5 pounds (2kg).

Due to her small size, baby Wilma was often very sick. Her mother nursed her through measles, scarlet fever and mumps.

At the age of four she contracted infantile paralysis, caused by the polio virus, and her parents were informed by the local doctor that she would never walk again.

Wilma’s mother refused to accept the doctor’s diagnosis and told her young daughter that one day she would walk again.

Mrs Rudolph’s belief led her to take action and twice a week for the next two years, she took her daughter to a hospital that was over 50 miles away for treatment.

The doctors at the hospital taught Mrs Rudolph various physical therapy exercises and every evening once back at home she would massage her daughter’s legs for hours.

Wilma’s progression was slow but by the age of seven she could walk with the aid of a metal brace on her left leg and foot (which had become twisted as a result). At school, Wilma would watch the other kids running around. She told herself that one day she would be able to run too.

In 1952, then 12 years old, young Wilma finally managed to cast away her metal leg and foot brace. At last she could walk without assistance. It was then that she decided she wanted to be an athlete.

Most people thought Wilma didn’t stand a chance considering her horrendous illnesses and debilitating condition for so many years. But like her mother, Wilma believed.

Wanting to follow her sister, Wilma started to play basketball as well as doing a little running in the off season to keep fit. As time progressed Wilma became a basketball star setting State records and leading her team to the State championship.

During one match, Wilma was spotted by a man called Ed Temple (the Tennessee State track & field coach) who was amazed at her athleticism. With Temple’s assistance, Wilma changed focus from basketball to running and that as they say was that.

After turning 16, Wilma earned a place on the U.S. Olympic track & field team and came home from the 1956 Melbourne Games with a bronze medal in the 4 x100m relay.

Four years later, at the age of just 20, Rudolph returned from the 1960 Rome Olympics with three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay.

The girl that had been crippled until the age of 12 was now a multiple Olympic champion and the fastest woman in history!

"I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense
of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never
give up, no matter what else happened."

- Wilma Rudolph

A Game Changer says...

Throughout life it is so easy to become disillusioned and depressed or to lose sight of your goals, dreams and aspirations.

No matter what obstacles may appear to stand in your way today, the first step forward is to believe.