Dwight Yearwood (born May 3, 1959, in Dibe, Port of Spain) is a long-distance runner from Trinidad and Tobago, who has completed 30 marathons and 33 half marathons in spite of his disability, becoming a symbol of hope to many locals.[1]

Yearwood has represented his country in marathons in New York (1987, 1988, and 1989) and in Barbados (1991, 1995).[2] In 2008, Yearwood received a lifetime achievement award, the Alexander B. Chapman Award from Oliver Chapman, the former Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee President watched by President George Maxwell Richards.[3]

Yearwood developed Polio shortly after his birth. The disease left him with a permanent physical disability and a speech impediment. He was placed in the care of his grandmother who became his source of strength and who taught him to do his best to be self-reliant as far as possible. Dwight Yearwood's inspiring story has been captured in the book, Dwight Yearwood – Polio…He survived and conquered by Anton LaFond.[4]

Further reading

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  • LaFond, Anton (2008). Dwight Yearwood:Polio...He Survived and Conquered. Morvant:Jhullian Graphics Communications Ltd

References

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  1. ^ Syms, Raymond (January 11, 2009). "Example of faith, symbol of hope". Trinidad and Tobago Catholic News.
  2. ^ Williams, Kwame (February 1, 2006). "Born to run". Trinidad Guardian.
  3. ^ Mohammed, Aslan (December 31, 2008). "Dwight Yearwood collects Oliver Chapman Award". Trinidad Newsday.
  4. ^ Clarke, Clayton (December 25, 2010). "Marathoner Yearwood launches book". Trinidad Guardian.
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