Rise Above Any Limitation
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, TLT, & Hypnosis
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
Rise Above Any Limitation
Ellie West
Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, TLT, & Hypnosis
Persevering against all odds is an extraordinary display of strength and determination. It means facing countless obstacles, setbacks, and failures yet refusing to give up or be defeated.
It entails finding the courage to keep going despite adversity, even when it feels impossible. It requires a deep belief in oneself and a relentless drive to achieve one's goals.
The journey may be filled with doubt, pain, and heartbreak, but those who persevere choose to rise above it. They find motivation in their dreams, inspire others with their resilience, and prove that anything can be accomplished with unwavering commitment.
This is a story of a young African-American woman whose journey of resilience and determination inspires others and highlights the potential, value, and worth of individuals with and without disabilities.
Loretta Claiborne was the middle of seven children raised in a poor, single-parent family, born partially blind, intellectually challenged, and with clubbed feet. She underwent surgeries to correct her feet and visual impairment when she was young, could not walk until age four, and learned to talk at age seven.
Although doctors advised Loretta’s mother to institutionalize her, her mother steadfastly refused, raising her at home with her other children.
When Loretta was 17, a school counselor suggested she participate in the newly formed Special Olympics. Loretta discovered her love of running and subsequently competed as a runner at the Special Olympics of 1970, where she received her first medal as an athlete.
She has since completed over 25 marathons and has placed twice as the top 100 women finishers of the Boston Marathon. In 2000, Loretta’s life was the subject of "The Loretta Claiborne Story, an inspirational television story. She has won medals in dozens of its events and holds the women's record for the 5000 meters at seventeen minutes in her age group.
Running is not the only part of Claiborne's life. She holds a 4th-degree black belt in karate, communicates in four languages, including American Sign Language, and holds three honorary doctorate degrees from Quinnipiac University, Villanova University, and York College of Pennsylvania, making her the first person with an intellectual disability known to receive such honors, according to Special Olympics Incorporated.
Considering Loretta’s achievements, these are just small steps in her life's purpose to show that persons with intellectual and physical disabilities are equal to those without.
Loretta says, "I figured if my story could change a person's mind about another person, or especially a child's mind about another child, then it was the right thing to do.” Now, close to seventy years of age, she recalls a time when children taunted her for being different and how the taunting turned her into an angry young woman who was expelled from high school and fired from a job.
Because of her love of running, she used her speed and strength to protect herself in fights against cruel classmates, but she also credits the Special Olympics with helping her realize that her tremendous athletic talent could be used to do good.
Loretta says, “If it weren't for sports, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I was very angry before, and sports was the arena that turned that around for me. I got support from family, community, and God - he is the strength of all and can make anything possible.”
The Loretta Claiborne Story outlines Loretta’s personal and spiritual journey and shows her joyful, sometimes mischievous personality. “In the simplest terms, it's about possibility,” says executive producer Suzanne de Passe. Loretta’s story is uplifting and full of renewal. But it's not humorless. It doesn't hit you like a freight train with a somber, one-note refrain. This story is also about a very engaging, funny personality."
Loretta says, “I want to continue helping people with intellectual and physical disabilities succeed.” She advises them, "Find an opportunity and seize it. Be your best, and never let anyone doubt you."
Loretta continues to run every day - just for the joy of it, the pleasure of the moment. It's how she lives her life. “I don't look toward the future because you don't know what tomorrow will bring,” she says. “You have to live your life for today.”
“I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot.” ~Nadia Comaneci
To connect with Ellie @coachelliewest Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, TLT, & Hypnosis
