There’s a connection between the Harriet Tubman quote “I looked at my hands, to see if I was the same person now I was free” and the story about the quadriplegic who swam the channel. I think there’s a moment, maybe more than one, when a person who undergoes traumatic amputation has to decide if they are the same person as they were before the limb loss. They might decide that they are better or worse, but that’s a quality judgment on their basic nature. “Am I the same” is a deeper question than a decision about the quality of their nature. I speak from experience here as a lower left leg below the knee amputee. Thanks Bill, great writing as usual.
I’m a swimmer, and this story about Philippe Croizon is both amazing and inspiring. I’ve done open water swims but never more than a couple of miles. Thanks for sharing.
That is one heck of a story Bill. My lord, I can’t imagine what it took to turn one’s mind into positive territory. It would be so easy to use the lack of physicality to do nothing or as an excuse for why one couldn’t do any better than before the incident that left them in a diminished state.
What stays with me is that he'd keep it, not just that he survived it. I don't think Croizon is saying the accident was good. I think he's saying the version of himself it built is one he wouldn't trade for the version that never had to build it. "I decided to live" is a decision we all make at any minute or second in our lives. Looking back into past possibilities that never happened and never will is a form of self-inflicted pain, a victim-type mindset that is very predominant in our modern times. Croizon reminds us of what's available to all if we want it.
There’s a connection between the Harriet Tubman quote “I looked at my hands, to see if I was the same person now I was free” and the story about the quadriplegic who swam the channel. I think there’s a moment, maybe more than one, when a person who undergoes traumatic amputation has to decide if they are the same person as they were before the limb loss. They might decide that they are better or worse, but that’s a quality judgment on their basic nature. “Am I the same” is a deeper question than a decision about the quality of their nature. I speak from experience here as a lower left leg below the knee amputee. Thanks Bill, great writing as usual.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience, Tom. It's truly insightful.
Lots of great stuff again in this one Bill! I’ve always wondered if/how writers get through stuff like Sir Paul described.
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I’m a swimmer, and this story about Philippe Croizon is both amazing and inspiring. I’ve done open water swims but never more than a couple of miles. Thanks for sharing.
As someone living with bilateral ALS I know that I have a choice… ALS Advocacy! This story is a lovely reminder. Thanks
That is one heck of a story Bill. My lord, I can’t imagine what it took to turn one’s mind into positive territory. It would be so easy to use the lack of physicality to do nothing or as an excuse for why one couldn’t do any better than before the incident that left them in a diminished state.
What stays with me is that he'd keep it, not just that he survived it. I don't think Croizon is saying the accident was good. I think he's saying the version of himself it built is one he wouldn't trade for the version that never had to build it. "I decided to live" is a decision we all make at any minute or second in our lives. Looking back into past possibilities that never happened and never will is a form of self-inflicted pain, a victim-type mindset that is very predominant in our modern times. Croizon reminds us of what's available to all if we want it.