"Things You Wouldn't Know If We Didn't Blog Intermittently."
31 August 2012
No legs. One arm. Paralympic medalist.
Congratulations to Arnulfo Castorena. The brief video below shows his second-place finish in the 50-meter competition; his response during the medal presentation is heartwarming.
I feel completely humbled by the accomplishments of the paralympic athletes and congratulate each and every one of them for their spirit and determination.
Thank you for this post. Just when you begin to wonder what is wrong with the world, you see people like Sr. Castorena and the other paralympic athletes being shining examples of what can be achieved.
I saw one of the Irish swimmers on tv last night. 400 metres. The underwater camera revealed that he, like the Mexican, had one whole left arm, perhaps 6 inches - at most - of the left arm, and two very small stubs for legs. And yet at the end of the race - and in fact well before it - he was almost an entire pool's length ahead of the other competitors. Exceedingly moving for this full-bodied spectator who couldn't swim a length of the pool to save himself!
I can't help thinking about the Tod Browning's film... I wondered who invented the crazy concept of invalids athlets, isn't that an oxymore?
I admire the courage and strengh of the participants but i do not understand, when life takes your legs, may be you shouldn't run.
Our occidental society finally pushes people not to accept themselves as they are, what is the dark side? What happened when you are invalid without beeing an athlète?
It's perverse and a sad show, sorry, my friend has no right hand he doesen't play hand ball but I cannot win chess against him.
OT. Stan, I know you love old lodges and I just got back from Glacier National Park which has a lodge that dates from 1914. It's almost as good as the one at Mt. Hood. I took some pictures: http://jlbussey.exposuremanager.com/g/lkmcdlodge
I cried watching this video. Thank you for posting this. It allows us to realize how much we take for granted. Such an amazing moment to see him receive his medal. I wish I were there to give him a huge hug.
FYI: The woman holding the flag in the video might actually be Margarita Zavala, Mexico´s First-Lady. She has been incredibly engaged and supportive of Mexico's Olympic and Paraolympic delegates.
If it is her, I think its very cool to see her present and cheering Arnulfo on!
I feel completely humbled by the accomplishments of the paralympic athletes and congratulate each and every one of them for their spirit and determination.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. Just when you begin to wonder what is wrong with the world, you see people like Sr. Castorena and the other paralympic athletes being shining examples of what can be achieved.
ReplyDeleteI saw one of the Irish swimmers on tv last night. 400 metres. The underwater camera revealed that he, like the Mexican, had one whole left arm, perhaps 6 inches - at most - of the left arm, and two very small stubs for legs. And yet at the end of the race - and in fact well before it - he was almost an entire pool's length ahead of the other competitors. Exceedingly moving for this full-bodied spectator who couldn't swim a length of the pool to save himself!
ReplyDeleteI can't help thinking about the Tod Browning's film... I wondered who invented the crazy concept of invalids athlets, isn't that an oxymore?
ReplyDeleteI admire the courage and strengh of the participants but i do not understand, when life takes your legs, may be you shouldn't run.
Our occidental society finally pushes people not to accept themselves as they are, what is the dark side? What happened when you are invalid without beeing an athlète?
It's perverse and a sad show, sorry, my friend has no right hand he doesen't play hand ball but I cannot win chess against him.
OT. Stan, I know you love old lodges and I just got back from Glacier National Park which has a lodge that dates from 1914. It's almost as good as the one at Mt. Hood. I took some pictures:
ReplyDeletehttp://jlbussey.exposuremanager.com/g/lkmcdlodge
Very nice. I envy your recent trip to Glacier.
DeleteI cried watching this video. Thank you for posting this. It allows us to realize how much we take for granted. Such an amazing moment to see him receive his medal. I wish I were there to give him a huge hug.
DeleteFYI: The woman holding the flag in the video might actually be Margarita Zavala, Mexico´s First-Lady. She has been incredibly engaged and supportive of Mexico's Olympic and Paraolympic delegates.
ReplyDeleteIf it is her, I think its very cool to see her present and cheering Arnulfo on!
Thank you, Gonzalo. I've adjusted the text of the post accordingly.
Delete