The golden rule within Special Olympics circles is simple: You never want to follow a speech by Loretta Claiborne. That’s because Claiborne communicates with a unique mixture of humility and passion that nearly always guarantees a standing ovation. There may be no tougher act to follow than Loretta.

What she has to talk about is her inspiring life story. Faced with obstacles at every turn, Loretta has blossomed into an American success story. In 1953, Loretta was born legally blind and with mental retardation in York, PA, where she lived in the projects with her mother and six siblings.

Loretta did not walk until she was 4 years old. After corrective eye surgery, she began attending school - only to have school officials advise her mother to put Loretta into an institution. Her mother refused, and Loretta continued her education. All through school, Loretta endured the taunts of her classmates and often lashed out at those around her.

In 1970, Loretta discovered her joy. “I found a place to belong,” she recounts some 30 years later when asked about her introduction to Special Olympics. Loretta, who loved to run, began training in athletics with Special Olympics. Her discipline from her training and the new confidence she gained from her success transformed her from an angry teenager to a positive, composed role model.

She steadily progressed, participating in numerous Special Olympics and local road races. In 1981 and again in 1982, she competed in the prestigious and grueling Boston Marathon. Both years’ times of just over 3 hours put her among the top 100 female finishers. In all, she has run in 26 marathons.

Loretta’s achievements have brought numerous honors, including Runner’s World’s Special Olympic Athlete of the Quarter Century, and Honorary Doctorate, and the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPY Awards before a national television audience.

Despite her successes, Loretta remains exceptionally humble and will talk about her accomplishments only if prodded. One of the most gracious competitors you would ever want to meet, Loretta keeps all her Special Olympic shirts and other gifts and then gives (not trades) them to athletes from poorer countries at World Games.

The hallmark of Loretta’s character is that she is a person of her word. In 1995, she turned down an invitation to run with President Clinton because she had promised a fellow athlete she would attend the Pennsylvania send-off where he was singing.

Along life’s journey, Loretta has developed into a polished and inspiring speaker who's spoken before national TV and live audiences reaching hundreds of thousands of people. Her ability to communicate about focusing on one’s abilities, not disabilities, has inspired countless people to better themselves and help their fellow citizens.

Even President Bush asked her at the White House gala in December, 2001, "How did you do that introduction so well, Miss Claiborne?  I saw you used no notes!"  Before every speech, Claiborne keenly observes the place, the people, and the atmosphere of her current speaking engagement and then weaves a perfect blend of the flavor, emotion and history she senses.  After every speech, Claiborne is often surrounded by grateful listeners...each one certain that Claiborne was speaking directly to them because their hearts were touched.  

In addition to speaking for Special Olympics and many other causes, she pulls up her sleeves and volunteers for whatever needs to get done...tedious, strenuous work or repetitive tasks that just need an extra pair of hands.  "I've been blessed," she says. "It's time to give back. Volunteerism, to me, has to come from the heart."

Like so many other Special Olympics athletes who serve the movement in volunteer roles, Claiborne is serving others in a truly meaningful way...a way that emanates from her heart and touches people's lives.

Click Here to view some of Ms. Claiborne's Awards and Motivational Speaking Accomplishments

To contact Ms. Claiborne for keynotes, workshops or motivational speeches, please call 1-877-885-3091 or click here.