Disabled Athlete of the Year, 1997

 Dont think you can workout today? Here is another inspiring story of a remarkable woman...

www.alismith.com             

Aimee Mullins was born without fibula bones in both shins. Her legs were amputated at the age of one, but with the help of the most advanced artificial legs, she has set world records in running the 100-meter, 200-meter dash and the long jump at the Paralympics. She is a successful model, actress and speaker, making personal appearances and giving talks to companies, charities and schools.  

  Since the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 as the first disabled member of a Division I track team, Mullins' life has changed dramatically. News of her accomplishments and courage spread into the hearts of millions of people. She has been featured in many forms of media, including features in Sports Illustrated for Women, NBC's Dateline, The Rosie O'Donell Show, Parade, Esquire, Jane and Cosmopolitan. She was recently selected as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." She won the "Disabled Female Athlete of the Year" from USA Track and Field, was 1997's "Women of Distinction" from the National Association of Women in Education, a nominee for ESPN's Arthur Ashe Award for courage to be presented at the ESPY Awards show in 1998. Mullins was named to the Disabled Sports, USA Advisory Council and was nominated by Sen. Max Cleland for a position on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  

Her passion for running is equaled only by her drive and determination to make a difference in whatever she pursues. She says, "I want to do projects that challenge people's ideas of beauty and the myth that disabled people are less capable, less interesting. I want to expose people to disability as something that they can't pity or fear or closet, but something that they accept and maybe want to emulate. To me, beauty is when people radiate that they like themselves."

http://www.lordly.com/talent/lordly/MullinsAimee.html