"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Happy Birthday to Jean Driscoll

“Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It's something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.” —Vincent 'Vince' Lombardi
OR WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this is the biography of one such woman -

American professional athlete and Parolympian and marathon wheelchair racer, motivational speaker and author. Driscoll was born premature and kept in a neonatal unit in the hospital for a week after her birth. Born with spina bifida and cleft lip that was later surgically repaired, she suffered from colic as a child. But she was tough and didn't like being told what she couldn't do.

Even with her leg braces she raced around as a child. She was a good student in grade school despite the disappointment of not making the grade as cheerleader and the physical hardships she endured, including multiple surgeries. As a teen she shattered her left hip in a cycling accident and was confined to bed while she recuperated. She developed severe and painful bed sores and was in a body cast for three months.

Returning to high school in a wheel chair, she met Jim Ratzburg, a fellow spina bifida patient, who convinced her that her wheelchair could be used to her advantage in sports. She joined athletic teams and played soccer, basketball and other games from her wheelchair, developing the strength and stamina needed to compete. But racing was her love.

In 1990 she won her first marathon, racing in her wheelchair. She has since won seven additional Boston Marathons and holds the world record in the women's wheelchair division. She also won a contract to endorse Ocean Spray cranberry juice. At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 she won a silver medal and won her second silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She holds twelve Paralympic medals and several awards including the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award from The Women's Sports Foundation (2006).

Well-educated and versatile, Driscoll has a bachelor's in speech communication and master's degree in rehabilitation administration both from the University of Illinois. She plays guitar and sang the national anthem at opening day of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team in 1992. From 1996 to 2000, she served on the Illinois Governor's Council on Health and Fitness and co-authored a book in 2000 called "Determined to Win."

From - http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Main_Page

Okay, doesn't this make you think, or I should say it makes me think - what does she have that makes her so strong and the article said it - it was determination to win.

So girls, how do we get that same determination?

Love,
Chatty

12 comments:

Deb said...

I just noticed the dog photo dressed in a turkey costume. Is that your dog??? giggle!

Chatty Crone said...

No, I am allergic to dogs :( - I love pugs - so it is my wish dog (lol).

ClassyChassy said...

I often hear about people with such determination as she has - and I believe that it comes with the thinking that nothing in life is HANDED to you. You have to WORK for it. The folks that think everything SHOULD come easily, that there's an EAST way to money and success - they are either unsuccessful, swindlers, or are still sitting around waiting with their hands held out...Pardon me, but the government bail out for the auto industry comes to mind!!!

Chatty Crone said...

Determination is the key and not being afraid to work hard and try.

betty said...

she truly is an inspiration! I'd like some of that determination she has. It is amazing that some have it and others struggle to find it with just the simplest of obstacles and not the "mountains" of ones that she had

good for her!

betty

Angela said...

I think if I had just a quarter of her determination I could get some things done around here!

Chatty Crone said...

So what do you all think makes one person determined and another person not?

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I have found when faced with a big obstetrical God gives us the strength and determination to do whatever we have to do. Driscoll is an amazing woman.

Have a fantastically blessed day!!!

Joyce said...

I wish a few people in our government would have as much determination as her to get things done instead of talking about it.
Joyce

Chatty Crone said...

Your right Joyce - but being the devil's advocate (and I am including myself here) - why don't we do more like writing our congressmen every day! I don't do that myself. . .

Chatty Crone said...

Nezzy - right again - we are nothing without God.

A Lil Enchanted said...

Happy Birthday to Jean.... what a determined and wonderful lady!

A Lil Enchanted,
~Lashan~