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  • 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.

My first time in the pool, I was 50 years old.

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