(gentle music) (crickets chirping)
- 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.
(water splashes)
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?
- [Vivian] 221.
- Mm-hm, and still racking 'em 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.
(bright piano music)
- [Male Swimmer] 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.
(numbers whirring)