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Handicapped by a twisted foot and slow learning skills, Loretta Claiborne (Kimberly Elise) faces an unpromising future. Her hard-working mother, Rita (Tina Lifford), refuses to cater to Loretta's shortcomings and instead nurtures her daughter's fighting spirit. Picked on at school and resented by her pretty older sister, Christine (Nicole Ari Parker), Loretta sometimes resorts to using her fists in frustration. In grade school, a teacher encourages Loretta to excel in running, the one activity that brings her joy. In high school, fellow athletes encourage Loretta to raise funds and collect signatures for a female track team, all the while knowing that Loretta won't qualify to join because she's a Special Ed student. Loretta is expelled after she tackles her chief denigrator, and she sullenly defies the efforts of her caseworker, Janet McFarland (Camryn Manheim). But Janet is just as stubborn as Loretta and forces her to participate in the Special Olympics, where Loretta shines. Despite her newfound success, Loretta encounters a series of setbacks, including the departure of her beloved brother (Damon Cupton) for the armed services and Rita's reluctance to permit foot surgery. Then, after participating in the world-famous Boston Marathon, Loretta discovers that she's ineligible for the Special Olympics and must cope with the terminal illness of her mother, who has always been her guiding spirit. Instead of the usual cheery, sanitized triumph over adversity, this true-life tale poignantly emphasizes the fact that Loretta's suffering was the catalyst for her hard-won victories.
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To order a copy of The Loretta Claiborne Story, visit edustation.com
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Coming Summer '04.
Disney Channel will be airing The Loretta Claiborne Story during the '04-'05 school year. Our programming calendar is coming soon!
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"The Loretta Claiborne Story" is the true story of a girl who overcomes overwhelming obstacles to become a world-class athlete, a famous speaker, an honorary doctorate, and a true American hero. It's also a story about the impact that being different -- in this case, mentally retarded -- can have on a person, as well as the impact that the right kind of support can have.
From this story, students learn about diversity in many forms � in a person's abilities, age, race, gender, economic status, and outlook on life. Much of the story, however, focuses on Loretta's mental retardation and people's willingness or unwillingness to help her succeed.
Service learning connects to many of the themes in "The Loretta Claiborne Story." With service learning, they will:
- Learn about different people, situations, problems, and organizations.
- Create solutions that help those who may be different from themselves.
- Overcome authentic obstacles.
- Become "I Can" people rather than "I Can't" people.
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