Wilma+Rudolph+by+Hannah

**No members of Wilmas large family expcted Wilma to have her first birthday in Clarksville, Tennessee! This was because she weighed just over four pounds at birth! But with ninteen older brothers and sisters her chance of life was even lower! But when Wilma Rudolph appeared in the 1960 summer olympics games, in Rome, Italy everyone was amazed that this small girl, at birth, had survived, and that she made it in the olympics! This is her story:** **Even since Wilma could walk, she had ran or jumped instead! Most people thought this girl was small and sickly. She easily cought colds and was always worse with sicknesses then the rest of the family. Luckily, the doctor in Clarksville was willing to treat black people, so he got to know the busy Rudolph family very well.**A little time went by but shortly before Wilma turned five she got very sick. The doctor came and the Rudolph family found out that Wilma had scarlet fever and she had gotten polio. This was very sad news because most children who got polio either died or were crippled for life! But this didn't stop Wilma she found many other ways to move around.Like, hopping on one foot or going to classes to make her leg stronger. Wilma was very sad because she would see the other kids playing while she watched from the sidelines. Wilma worked very hard to be able to walk again. And her work payed off at the olympics when she won a gold medal!

To for out more go to: Wikipedia.com EspnSports.com or read Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull

Picture From: UltimatePictures.com