. >> reporter: when you hear the story of tatiana mcfadden, athlete tatiana mcfadden, you realize some people are just designed for success. her story might be titled "from russia with love." she was racing the clock when she was born 27 years ago in russia with spina bifida. she didn't get the necessary treatment. >> it's practically a miracle that i survived. >> reporter: her bh put her in an orphanage where she was expected to live a short life. >> i taught myself to walk on my arms. >> reporter: deborah mcfadden from clarksville, maryland, walked into that orphanage and the two fell in love. >> there was something when our eyes connected. >> reporter: she introduced her to sports. >> she was really sick, so i was thinking you don't need your legs to swim. i got her swimming. then i got her involved in gymnastices to tumble. >> table tennis, archery, fencing, basketball, wheelchair racing. i fell in love with wheelchair racing. >> reporter: tatiana always has a russian phrase that she used. >> what it means is and translated, i can do it myself. >> reporter: boy, could she do it. >>