Search Results: disability
Jessica Long – “The Only Disability in Life is a Negative Attitude”
Jessica Long, from Baltimore, Maryland, USA is a champion by all definitions of the word. She is one of the world’s most decorated swimmers. Jessica was the youngest athlete, at 12 years old, to win a Paralympics medal. And she is now on a mission to inspire the next generation of Paralympic athletes. But her…
Oscar Pistorius – Reaching for Ultimate Greatness Despite his Disability!
In November 1986, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a boy was born with deformed legs. Because of the deformity, the boy’s parents had to have his lower legs amputated. The boy was fitted with prosthetics 6 months later, and after that he was off and running, literally! The boy’s name? Oscar Pistorius. Because Oscar lost his lower legs…
Geeta Castelino – Realizing Her Dreams Despite Her Disability
When Geeta Castelino was two years old, she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that took away her speech and caused her to lose the use of her feet and her right hand. But Geeta had dreams of a happy life, and she wasn’t going to let her polio get in the way of them. Through therapy, she regained…
John McFall – From Paralympian to Para-astronaut!
John McFall’s life story is so inspiring that it could take up a few different stories on IMK! Faced with many challenges in his life, John has never let them stop him. Despite having his leg amputated as a young man, he has gone on to be first a champion Paralympic athlete and more recently…
No arms, No problem – Meet Richie Parker, NASCAR champion
Richie Parker has never listened to people telling him what he could not do. Born without arms, he and his parents did not let this stop him from having a normal childhood. This attitude served him well as he became an adult. His amazing perseverance and focus has enabled him to not only live independently,…
Chris Nikic – An Ironman Inside and Out!
Chris Nikic just did the impossible! At least what people thought was impossible. But apparently, he did not get the message! Chris, a 21-year-old young man from Maitland, Florida, completed an Ironman triathlon. An Ironman consists of a 112 mile run a 2.4-mile swim and a 26.2-mile run. While this is an amazing accomplishment for…
Greta Thunberg – Teen Climate Activist Uses Her Asperger’s Gift to Change the World!
Greta Thunberg, a Teen Climate Activist, from Stockholm, Sweden, was just 8 years old when she learned about the science of climate change. She did not understand why so little was being done to protect the world’s environment. By the time she was 11, she decided it was time to make some change herself. Greta…
Sean Stutman – A 5 Year Old Geography Superstar Rises Above!
Sean Stutman is, in many ways, a very typical 5-year-old boy. He loves to play with cars and blocks. He loves to hang out with his siblings and friends. He loves any sport with a ball. He does his chores every day just like his brothers and sister. He loves to read and, occasionally, watch…
Jennifer Bricker – Gymnast Born Without Legs Shows That 'Everything is Possible'
The story of Jennifer Bricker is one of the most amazing ones we have have ever featured on IMK! It is full of both great life lessons and great surprises. It is a story everyone should know. Jennifer was born in Romania without any legs. She was later adopted by a loving American family, the Bricker’s, and…
12 Year Old Ross Salvo – How to Live an Awesome ‘Rossome’ Life!
Ross Salvo, a 12-year-old boy from Newtown, CT, was a very special human being! He was special in the way he lived, in the way he served, in the way he cared about others and in the way he overcame challenges. In short, Ross was simply awesome ROSSome! ROSS’s EARLY DAYS Ross was a twin and…