Lilo’s Bio:
Ljiljana (Lilo) Ljubisic is a Paralympic gold medallist with a story to tell. A story of triumph over adversity, hers is a journey through a life filled with personal challenge, tragedy, courage and overwhelming optimism and enthusiasm. Combined with an incredible zest for life, her presentations encourage her audiences to reevaluate their lives and expand the boundaries of their limitations. Hers is a story of achievement, personal greatness…and success.
Ljiljana, otherwise known as Lilo, is a blind athlete who since 1984 has successfully represented Canada in national team handball and athletics. It was her expertise in the events of discus and shot put, which took her on a meteoric ride to the top of the
international ranking in athletics for athletes with a physical disability, earning her many medals and world record titles. Included among those honors she has been named Paralympic and World Champion no less than Five times. Today, Lilo trains in British Columbia and continues preparing for the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games to be held in Athens, Greece.
Born as a healthy sighted child in the early 60′s, it was a bout with a common childhood illness at 16 months of age and its misdiagnosis that changed her life forever. The ensuing 25 years saw Lilo’s sight deteriorate one painful step at a time, finally resulting in the complete loss of sight. Then the ride began, with the emotional roller coaster of five corneal transplants in the attempt to save her remaining sight, and the resulting, devastating failure. Although Lilo has not regained her sight, she visualizes her goals which she has set for herself in the field of athletic endeavor, all the while continuing towards achieving another milestone of personal and athletic greatness.
Given her vast international experience in the sporting arena, it is without surprise that Lilo has been a popular and outspoken guest on international speaking and media podiums. For the past decade Lilo has been sharing her stories of challenge, perseverance and success with corporations, schools and various service organizations throughout Canada and the United States. She has delivered over 800 presentations to rave reviews and great many standing ovations.
As a motivational speaker, Lilo shares with audiences of all ages, her vision of “Living life to its fullest potential”. She encourages people to not only see with their eyes, but with
Lilo at another outdoor track & field event their hearts. Lilo helps others to get in touch with what can help them be the best they can be.
She shares stories and personal experiences to illustrate that by using life skills such as goal-setting, courage, and positive choices, life’s greatest challenges can be overcome. Truly a “Going Beyond The limits mindset.
- Listen to Lilo’s talk at Business by the Book: Play Audio