No Arms…No Legs…And Still Keeping Fit?

written by Ross St Quintin

Last Sunday evening I watched a segment of our local Sixty Minutes show with total wonderment and amazement. The main feature related to a 25 year old man. He was born without arms and legs. Well, he did have a little flipper of a foot…but that was all.

This courageous young man taught all of us an invaluable lesson in living. He showed us the value of just “being”, and in addition making full use of the assets we possess! This absolutely amazing young man demonstrated that even if you are born into this world limbless, you CAN make an invaluable positive difference that will impact upon millions of people.

He swam. He dived from a diving board into a pool! He piloted a boat. He hugged. He was highly intelligent. Undoubtedly he needed the assistance of a carer. And yet his remarkable courage and cheerful disposition on life was a lesson to each and everyone of us folk who were fortunate enough to be born with two arms and two legs.

Up until a few weeks ago I have enjoyed tearing off every morning to enjoy a really brisk 5 kilometre walk. Then, a couple of weeks back I developed an excrutiating pain in my right heel which finally stopped me from pounding the pavement. Within days the extra few kilos began to append themselves to my bod. I thought what will I do. Cant walk, because the heel spurs in my right foot just got worse during even the shortest walking exercise.

After the experience last night of watching the amazing sporting achievements of a man without arms or legs I thought what in hell have I got to complain about. Maybe I dreamt about the sixty minute show last night. Maybe not? However when I awoke this morning I knew that even though I cannot currently walk without suffering shocking pain, maybe I COULD ride my bike.

Guess what…I could, without any problems. Now I will head off every morning on my bike instead of my feet for an hours hard grind. I offer my thanks to that young man for his courage in dealing with life without arms or legs, and yet displaying more physical courage than most of us mature adults! His outstanding physical and mental courage really taught me an invaluable lesson…there is always a solution to our problems! Physical or mental!

You can do and achieve whatever you want…it’s just a matter of courage and believing you can! Think that way and a solution will be found!

(C) Copyright August 2008 owned by Ross St. Quintin. This article can not be reproduced or copied in any form whatsoever without the prior written permission of the copyright owner