The Encouragement Foundation

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 children, born prematurely and frail. There was little chance of her survival. At the age of four she was diagnosed with double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralyzed, useless left leg and an iron leg brace.

When she was nine years old Wilma removed her leg brace and took the first step doctors said she’d never be able to take. Then in high school she entered her first running race. Although she came last it never stopped her from pursuing her dream of winning a race. She continued to enter every race in high school and continued to come last. Everyone begged her to stop but she never let it kill her motivation. And then the day came when she won her first race.

Wilma’s skill and strength continued to grow after years of perseverance and the help of coach Ed Temple, until she was accepted into the Olympic Games.

Wilma went on to win three Olympic gold medals against the fastest female runner in the world.

Pursuit of Happiness – Basketball Scene

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