"Be everything you want to be" is Natalie du Toit's mantra and something she pursues despite the obstacles life has thrown at her. Earlier this month, the 24-year old South African swimmer, who has only one leg, qualified to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fulfilling a life-long dream.

Natalie has not always been disabled. In 2001, Natalie was a normal seventeen year old with a very promising swimming career. She was busy pursuing her dream of competing in the Olympics and hoped to qualify for the 2004 Athens Games.

One morning after swim practice she was driving to school in her scooter when a careless driver ran directly into her left leg. She lost her leg that day, but not her dream of going to the Olympics.

All she could think about was getting back in the pool to practice. The only change she made to her dream was to switch to longer-distance freestyle events, to be able to compete more effectively.

Less than two years after the accident, she qualified for the 800-meter freestyle in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, making it the first time an amputee had competed in an International race with able-bodied people. She didn't win that day but did receive an award for the "Most Outstanding Athlete".

What is truly amazing is that Natalie is able to compete with able-bodied people in a sport that depends largely on strong leg kicks. When she is not swimming, she is studying sports management and inspiring others.

We wish this young girl the best in her quest and hope that she goes home with a medal. Incase you are wondering what Natalie does for inspiration, here is a poem that she hangs in her room and reads every night before going to bed.

The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals

The tragedy of life lies in not having goals to reach for

It is not a disgrace not to reach for the stars

But it is a disgrace not to have stars to reach for

To read more about this amazing girl check out her website: http://www.nataliedutoit.com/