July 2nd, 2008
Inspiring Women: Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was born with spina bifida and has been in a wheelchair since the age of seven. She is one of the world’s most respected sportswomen and is considered Britain’s greatest ever Paralympian. Dame Tanni started her sporting career in 1984 representing Wales in the Junior National Games. She has since won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds, the London Marathon 6 times between 1997-2002 and held over 30 world records. She is indeed a force to be reckoned with. In 2000 she was appointed an OBE for services to sport.
Photos from BBC
To me, Dame Tanni is a great inspiration for her perseverance and hard work, and not allowing how others view you to impact how you view yourself. No doubt there were naysayers when she first mentioned her dream to win a gold medal, and now she proudly owns 11 of them. Far too often we let our own disabilities - whether physical, emotional or mental - stand in our way of reaching for our own dreams. We allow ourselves excuses so we don’t have to try. Dame Tanni didn’t and she continues to be an inspiration to all athletes.
Since her retirement from the track, Dame Grey-Thompson has been a presenter for shows on BBC1 and BBC Wales. She continues to play an important role in sports and in 2006 was elected to the Laureus World Sports Academy. She is a wife and mother, as well as the author of Aim High
This post is part of our new Inspiring Women series. Each week we will focus our attention on inspiring, and amazing, women who are doing extraordinary things. From women entrepreneurs and world leaders, to single moms and activists. If you have a recommendation for a woman who you think is inspiring and deserves some attention, let us know.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I saw Dame Tanni at a Soroptimist conference in Newcastle a couple of years ago and she truly is inspiring. She has amazing energy and listening to her you could tell that she supported and encouraged others. She let nothing limit her achievements.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:43 am
[…] Inspiring Women: Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson She continues to play an important role in sports and in 2006 was elected to the Laureus World Sports Academy. She is a wife and mother, as… […]