Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Navy vet blinded in Afghanistan will swim in the Paralympics


Warning: This article is a tear-jerker. We all must commend the IOC International Paralympic Committee for it's Paralympics work. It's incalculable how much they have contributed to the mental health of those individuals with disabilities and their families at large.

There is a slideshow as well. A must see.


From NBC News:
“During the Olympics, I read about the races, about (Michael) Phelps and (Ryan) Lochte and Missy Franklin. I heard the commentary and used that to pull out the details to produce this image,” Snyder said. “But instead of reading about Lochte, I just implanted myself in there. 
“I imagine stepping onto the block, hearing “take your mark,” the sound of the start, hopping in the pool then just being smooth and strong down the middle of the lane, executing some good turns, and hitting the pad at the end. I’m imagining success. I’m imagining the good feeling that comes with competing well.”

[Link]

4 comments:

Amit said...

Thanks for posting, very inspirational story

Anonymous said...

"We all must commend the IOC for it's Paralympics work."

Actually that would be the IPC.

I would also note that, unlike FINA's role with ablebodied aquatic sports, there is no world governing body for Paraylmpic Swimming. It's organized through an office of the IPC. You may want to have a chat with a few people, in and out of the the US, involved in the sport before making up your mind as to the relative advantages of a sport with no advocate.

Last point - injured veterans form one of the smallest demographics within the sport. To focus on them, anywhere outside of the US, would likely be seen as implicit political support of a rather jingoistic sort of hero worship. Regardless of intent this message might not be well received amongst a community dealing, largely, with a horrific range of congenital disorders. Sure - no one signed up for this; but only a few signed up at all.

Just sayin'.

The sport is amazing, this is going to be the most competitive games ever and I hope the world is getting ready to cheer. Just be aware that the best these athletes get, often, is the opportunity to be treated as mascots. Bring on the sport, let's save the story of injury and dehabilitation (all to often the focus already) for another time.

Anonymous said...

"We all must commend the IOC for it's Paralympics work."

Actually that would be the IPC.

I would also note that, unlike FINA's role with ablebodied aquatic sports, there is no world governing body for Paraylmpic Swimming. It's organized through an office of the IPC. You may want to have a chat with a few people, in and out of the the US, involved in the sport before making up your mind as to the relative advantages of a sport with no advocate.

Last point - injured veterans form one of the smallest demographics within the sport. To focus on them, anywhere outside of the US, would likely be seen as implicit political support of a rather jingoistic sort of hero worship. Regardless of intent this message might not be well received amongst a community dealing, largely, with a horrific range of congenital disorders. Sure - no one signed up for this; but only a few signed up at all.

Just sayin'.

The sport is amazing, this is going to be the most competitive games ever and I hope the world is getting ready to cheer. Just be aware that the best these athletes get, often, is the opportunity to be treated as mascots. Bring on the sport, let's save the story of injury and dehabilitation (all to often the focus already) for another time.

Tony Austin said...

Thank you, the correction has been made and a link has been added to their official site as well.

I saw the report of this veteran and I posted it. I have no idea where you felt I was being jingoistic or engaged in hero worship.

IT sounds like the IPC has taken on a tremendous task and should be commended.