Synopsis
This story is about a champion, a tragedy, hopes crushed along with vertebrae, and the enormous willpower to rekindle a purpose - a story meant for us all. The story is about Beth Sanden, a 63-year-old paraplegic global champion marathoner and triathlete contender, who has made a dramatic and inspirational impact worldwide. In 2017, she achieved an entry in the Guinness World Records for being the first disabled woman to complete 7 marathons on 7 continents and the North Pole Marathon, on a handcycle. Beth’s story is of hope turned into grit, commitment, perseverance, faith, and ultimately joy. It will move you forward to achieve your own goals and dreams, and to overcome the obstacles that are sure to meet you on your journey. As an able-bodied champion athlete, Beth raced triathlons and marathons. She became a world-class competitor by 2001. She raced in the Ironman California, and the Kona Hawaii Ironman World Championship. She qualified for the 2002 Boston Marathon. But a tragic bicycle accident in April of 2002 interrupted Beth’s plans to run in Boston. As she trained for another Ironman on her bike, she suffered a terrible accident, and shattered the T6-7 vertebrae in her back, like glass. It stabbed her spinal cord, which then leaked spinal fluid. She underwent an eight-hour surgery. She was told she would never walk again. But, Beth turned this accident and pain, which was supposed to cripple her for the rest of her life, into a “detour,” not a nemesis. The champion in her, who had to heal, and had to learn to live in a new body with constant pain, roared up to the challenge. After months of hospitals, a body cast, a wheelchair, and a second surgery, Beth's husband and Ironman friends threw her into a swimming pool. “You don’t have legs, but you have arms,” he said, knowing the competitor was still inside her. She swam every day. Her physical therapists used electrical stimulation on her legs to move over a treadmill. With determined willpower, within 18 months, she freed one leg from total to partial paralysis. Now, using her arm strength, a cane, a walker, and a handcycle, Beth has been back in the race, back in the winner’s circle, since 2004. She goes beyond the ability of many able-bodied triathlon and marathon contenders. Since the accident in 2002, and her painful recovery from a complete paraplegic to a partial one, as of this writing, Beth has competed globally in: 78 Marathons including: The North Pole Marathon 4 Boston Marathons The “Seven Continents” Marathons (Yes, a marathon on each of the seven continents!) A “Triple 7” in Africa (As this book is published, Beth completed her “Triple Seven” in Africa: 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 different countries.) 70 Triathlons, Sprint, and Olympic distance She races to win on behalf of the worldwide physically, emotionally, and mentally challenged population, including our warriors who are wounded who come home with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and loss of limbs; and the disabled who are ready to win their own literal and metaphorical “races” to integrate themselves back into life. She is determined to show them to the world and help them choose to participate in life fully, and resurrect their dreams. She also races on behalf of all of us who have been disappointed, discouraged and detoured from the path of our dreams and purpose because of age or circumstances. She is the perfect person to take on this role, after being brutally and abruptly injured, and distraught that she might never achieve the dreams she had as a racer. No matter who you are, no matter where you are, and no matter what you do in this world, you will learn lessons to share from the life of this unforgettable woman. She knows YOU can get back in your own race, too, breaking through to rekindle your purpose. Start your journey of becoming a “champion” in your life; better, stronger, and on the path to whom you truly dream to be.
About the Author
About Diane Y. (Di) Chapman This story about Beth Sanden is author Diane Y. Chapman’s fourth book. She is an international speaker who has motivated, inspired and entertained audiences with her passionate and poignant stories about success, achievement, and living with purpose, for over 20 years. Diane enjoys bringing these stories to everyone. Most recently, Di was the coauthor of "How Smart People Sabotage Their Job Search: Ten Mistakes Executives Make and How to Fix Them." She was also a featured contributor to the Simple Truths’ book "Customer Love." She has written more than 60 published business and health pieces. Her presence on the Internet includes business blogs as Chief Communications Officer for Power Connections, Inc., a Southern California boutique executive outplacement, leadership coaching, and career transitions service. Di writes for, and manages the blog for the company, editing and posting the team’s contributions, and coordinating distribution throughout social media. In addition, she has written blogs posted on numerous other sites online, including SimpleTruths.com, and "The Daily Job Hunt" and "Ask Di", both on WordPress.com. Di is a respected media personality who has appeared on the radio airwaves, the Internet, and television. She has been in over 50 featured media interviews. She created the program “High Visibility: The Success Perspective,” to interview notable authors, experts, entrepreneurs, and politicians, while broadcasting in the greater Los Angeles area. This led to numerous live segments on Dr. Stephen Mason’s Look At It This Way, and in 2008 she joined the on-air team of Better Times After 50. She has been a regular guest on Anything Goes hosted by Bennet Pomerantz on Blog Talk Radio. Some of her past writing and media production clients include CIGNA, AT&T, Metropolitan Life, PBS, NBC, CBS, Nissan, Dr. Soy, and more. In the Atlanta area since 2011, Di has been writing a humorist column for "The Current Hub" newspaper, called “Life 50+.” Now, she shares with you the passion and purpose of paraplegic Beth Sanden and her global marathons, including the 7 Continents Marathons and the North Pole Marathon. Time and again, she is the only paraplegic competitor. You will be amazed at what she’s made of. She is a lady, and a champion, with a signature smile that she flashes to everyone, everywhere. Di hopes this book will encourage you to look at your own dreams, potential, and purpose in a whole new light.
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