Subtitles section Play video
-
My first time in the pool, I was 50 years old.
-
My coach was in the water telling me "Jump in, Vivian."
-
He said "Haven't you been baptized?"
-
I said "Not like this."
-
I was afraid.
-
What is gonna happen to me in all this water?
-
The kids said: "Look at that old lady trying to learn how to swim."
-
And I said to myself, "Why not now?"
-
And I jumped in.
-
I heard that blind people can't swim.
-
Oh yes they can!
-
And here you are showing off your first medal at your first Senior Olympics.
-
Oh, you were so proud of that, but now you have accumulated how many?
-
221.
-
Mm-hmm, and still racking them up.
-
Here's the "L.A. Times" article.
-
"Doctor's warning made a champion of her."
-
You took that warning and ran with it, didn't you?
-
When I was 50, the doctor told me I was gonna die if I didn't lose the weight.
-
I was 320 pounds.
-
I had my teeth wired to lose weight.
-
That was so dangerous.
-
Something clicked into my head.
-
I realized it's up to me to take control.
-
You're kicking my butt, Vivian.
-
I am?
-
Yeah, you are, you should see it.
-
Wow!
-
I went from a size 24 to a size 12.
-
I look delicious.
-
I look good.
-
I'm healthier.
-
I have more energy.
-
I started a foundation that teaches swimming lessons free.
-
I've become a city commissioner for people with disabilities.
-
On my 70th birthday, I got up rejoicing.
-
My work is not finished.