Paralympian motivates students at Belen Jesuit

By Teresa Martinez - Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

MIAMI - Paralympian Rudy Garcia-Tolson spoke to students at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School  Oct. 24.

�His message of faith, determination, positive thinking and belief oneself served as an inspiration to our students,� said Carlos Barquin, Belen Jesuit's athletic director.

Throughout his morning presentation, Garcia-Tolson told students about how he lost both legs, overcame challenges and maintained a positive attitude. He encouraged students to remain positive and stay focused on their goals.  Garcia-Tolson also took time out of his schedule and swam with the Belen Jesuit swimming team and ran with the cross country team.

Garcia-Tolson, 24, is an athlete on the United States Paralympic team. He competed at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens and in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing in swimming. Most recently, he swam in the 2012 London Paralympics and won a silver medal in the 200m individual medley.