The uplifting true story of Minda Dentler, the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship triathlon.

Minda Dentler made history when she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the world's toughest triathlon, using only her arms to finish a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile marathon. But the journey there wasn't easy. Minda was paralyzed as an infant in India after contracting polio, and was left in the care of an orphanage. After she was adopted by an American family and moved to Washington, she underwent surgeries to enable her to walk with leg braces and crutches.

As she grew, she faced many challenges, but remained undeterred by her disability. Her decision to begin training and competing in triathlons was no different. Despite the obstacles and failures she experienced along the way, Minda's persistence and determination in the face of setbacks helped her to make sports history and inspire people around the world to rethink what's possible!

Author: Minda Dentler
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
Published: 03/05/2024
Pages: 48
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 10.08h x 9.92w x 0.55d
ISBN: 9781728276533

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.6
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 552794 / Girl Who Figured It Out: The Inspiring True Story of Wheelchair Athlete Minda Dentler Becoming an IR


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2024
School Library Journal 08/16/2024 pg. 1

About the Author
Dehennin, Stephanie: -

Stephanie Dehennin is an Antwerp-based illustrator. After studying Illustration at Saint Lukas in Ghent, she -somehow unplanned- became a freelance Art Director in the magazine world, but never stopped drawing and painting. The love for illustration was too strong to ignore, so she decided to dedicate the rest of her career to drawing and painting for children.

Dentler, Minda: -

Minda Dentler is the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship. She has been featured on CNN and NBC, and was nominated for an ESPN ESPY Award for the best female athlete with a disability. She has also written for Huffington Post and TIME, promoting the eradication of polio, and has served as a global immunization advocate for Rotary International and the UN Foundation. In addition to being a mom, an athlete, and an activist, she is a motivational speaker. She shares her story with Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon and Microsoft; non-profits; and universities, urging listeners to find their own personal Ironman.