Ideas worth spreading

The opportunity of adversity

2,756,203 views | Aimee Mullins • TEDMED 2009

The thesaurus might equate "disabled" with synonyms like "useless" and "mutilated," but ground-breaking runner Aimee Mullins is out to redefine the word. Defying these associations, she shows how adversity -- in her case, being born without shinbones -- actually opens the door for human potential.

The thesaurus might equate "disabled" with synonyms like "useless" and "mutilated," but ground-breaking runner Aimee Mullins is out to redefine the word. Defying these associations, she shows how adversity -- in her case, being born without shinbones -- actually opens the door for human potential.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Aimee Mullins

Athlete and actor

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A record-breaker at the Paralympic Games in 1996, Aimee Mullins has built a career as a model, actor and advocate for women, sports and the next generation of prosthetics.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.