Wilma+Rudolph3

__Wilma Rudolph__

Olympic track runner, Wilma Rudolph, had many achievements during her career She had to persevere to earn these things because of the challenges she had. Wilma Rudolph exemplified perseverance by overcoming her physical disability, her rough childhood, and her education issues.

Wilma Rudolph overcame her physical disability. At a very young age, Wilma had been stricken with scarlet fever, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and double pneumonia; many sicknesses! Because of that, her leg became partially paralyzed.Wilma didn't get much care for her leg. The doctors predicted that she would never walk again. Wilma wanted to attend school, but couldn't because of her weak and deformed leg. Wilma was told by doctors that she had polio- a disease with no cure. Her parents massaged her leg everyday and Wilma had to do leg exercises to strenghen her leg. Twice each week they drove to the closest hospital which was over an hour away! During the 1940's, black and whites weren't allowed to mix. Because of this, the hospital they went to was for the entire black population. A few years later, Wilmas leg was finally strong enogh to get a brace on it. She didn't have to have it for long though because her leg was strong enough that the doctors told her she could have it off at age twelve.

Wilma Rudolph overcame her rough childhood.Wilma was born two months early and weighed just over four pounds-very small-and she wans't very healthy as a child. Wilma didn't have running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing growing up. Also, her family didn't have lots of money; they couldn't afford to have Wilma good leg care. But Wilmas family supported Wilma to persevere. Wilma never gave up just because she had a rough background.

Wilma overcame her education issues. Because Wilma wasn't allowed to go to school, she was tutored at home. Finally when she started going to school, the kids at school made fun of her leg brace. When Wilma was in high school, she tried out for the basketball team. Fortunatley, she made it! But, the basketball coach didn't put her into a single game for three years. But she didn't quit; she finally became the star of her basketball team, as well as her track teams. Wilma was noticed by the track coach at Tennessee State University. The track coach invited her to attend the summer program and that led her to the Olympics where many achievements were made.

Wilma won many medals running track because she never gave up. Wilma Rudolph was able to rise above a paralyzed leg, obstacles as a child, and her school problems. She kept trying inspite of the difficulties she faced and now is the worlds fastest track runner.



References: [] Humphrey, S. M. (2005). //Dare to dream! 25 extraordinary lives//. New York: Prometheus Books. Biracree, T. (2011). Rudolph,wilma. In //Grolier Multimedia Encycclopedia// Grolier Online. Retrieved from [] Stevens, P. (Photographer). (2001). //Wilma rudolph//. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwilma.htm