How about Norman Croucher? He lost both legs in an accident at the age of 19 - then took up climbing. He climbed in the Alps, Andes & Himalayas through 1970's & 1980's - 1st Brit to climb Muztagh Ata. I had the privilage of being with him on Broad Peak in 1987, when we all (including Norm) reached nearly 7000m. I have since fallen out of touch, but I do know that he eventually got his 8-thousander - summiting Cho-Oyu.
Well Mark, I am very glad you had the chance to meet in person one of those heroes!
But remember, I presented just a few cases, probably there is a lot more out there...I probably missed not someone, dozens of them! :)
Cheers
Paulo
I never lost a limb; however, I did lose the fine motor control over the right side of my body. I was offered the chance to have myself declared disabled, but it was too inconsistent with the life I planned to lead.
I have absolutely no desire to be seen as different. But I do wish to point out that an obvious physical disability can sometimes be advantageous over a crushing neurological condition that does not involve loss of limb. I have no proprioception in my right hand or leg, but have gone on to do much more than I did when I was "whole." Six months after my brain damage, I was in line at the grocery, in front of a fat man in a wheelchair. I had a very hard time signing my name on the VISA receipt. The man behind me burst forth angrily, "can't you see that I'm crippled?" He didn't like waiting the extra 4 seconds it took to sign my name. Yes, I could see very well that he was crippled in his legs and fatness, and chose a life of wallowing self-pity and his infirmity... but he didn't see my infirmity. And after 10.5 years, I prefer to let people think I am normal.
My brother lost a leg in an accident, and I admire him greatly for the things that he has done since. But he never suffered crushing vertigo, nor complete loss of balance, and even his upper leg has the proprioception that I lack.
No sympathy for me, please; I detest it. But remember that many of those out there who look "whole" suffer as badly than those who are missing limbs.
Believe me, I have thought about this point of view, that's why I wrote JUST about AMPUTEE climbers. Never got into other disability because the text would just be too big.
Either way, thank you for pointing out this point of view. I think you're much better than me to share this kind of knowledge anyway...
Best wishes
Paulo
For Hugh Herr, after his amputation, he did two amazing routes of note ( among his MANY ofthe accomplishments both climbing and engineering ).The first is the second ascent of City Park. City Park is a 5.13d fingers/ tips crack. Many disputenhis ascent saying his was with aid ( since his prosethetics fit in the cracks). My response is go cut off your own damn legs and do the climb. The other biggie is Stage Fright 5.12d X, a route that took 20 yrs to see a second ascent. Not only is he a kick ass climber, but a world class engineer,.
Also to add to list is Nawang Sherpa. He lost his legs in an accident in the early 2000's and then came back to summit Everest in a small expedition with Tom McMillan from the Bay Area. Given the incredible nature of such acomp lishments are for amputees in the Western world, we souldn't overrlook the accomplishments of those athletes in countries without the access tothe rehabilitation that many of us have....
And have to say that Spencer Wests acomplishment is probably the most ammazing. A double amputee at the waist to do Kili....think of the perseverence....major kudos to you all.....
Thanks Claude for the great adds! Remembr, just like I said to Mark: "But remember, I presented just a few cases, probably there is a lot more out there...I probably missed not someone, dozens of them!"
Cheers
Paulo
That's it James, you got it.
Know what? The other day I was watching NatGeo, a show about a portuguese middle aged man who had no face due to a tumor, huge, about 4,5kgs. "The man who lost his face".
After that you know what I thought?
"Damn, I 'm glad my problem is on my bone marrow..."
PS: Your friend never wrote me!
Cheers
Paulo
I don't want to minimize what these men have gone through, climbing is hard enough with four fully functioning limbs, but i don't think people should be getting so famous just because they got injured one time. mediocre, walk-up route climbs are still just that, even if you have a prosthetic limb or two.
Aron Ralston is a perfect example: the guy was an egocentric fool before he did something dumb and had to cut off his arm, and now he makes tens of thousands of dollars while much better climbers starve in obscurity.
I don't mean to be contrary, but i really wonder about our fascination with disfigurement and feel-good stories of "incredible odds."
You have a valid point of view, but think about the pain those people went through in the frostbite, cutting it off, and after that climbing over it...
Inglis had to be carried down the mountain, he just couldn't take any more pain and ended up losing another peace of both legs...
Unfortunately media likes this sort of thing, that's the reason they get famous.
Ok so maybe there is a mistake in one of the stories, that does not discredit the article. My brother always tells me to do your own research if you want to verify a story or not. This article was written by a passionate writer who wanted the amputee's stories to be heard. This is definitely a unique article that is worthy for folks to read. Although accurate facts are important, the most important thing though is the theme and message behind it. Parofes, don't let folks discourage you from writing. People in the past have tried that with me, but I persisted though it. :-)
Marcsoltan - Oct 23, 2012 10:24 am - Voted 10/10
Thank you...Paulo! Thank you for doing inspirational articles like this.
You are the best.
Cheers,
Marc
PAROFES - Oct 23, 2012 11:37 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Thank you...Thank you Marc for reading it and leave such cool comment!
:)
Cheers
Paulo
Ejnar Fjerdingstad - Oct 28, 2012 10:40 am - Voted 10/10
Amazing people!What determination they must have, one cannot help admiring them, and wondering what one would have done in their place.
Great article!
PAROFES - Oct 28, 2012 11:22 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Amazing people!Thas was precisely what drove me to write about them!
:)
Thanks Ejnar.
Paulo
macintosh - Oct 28, 2012 1:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Amazing people!Good job, Paolo !
PAROFES - Oct 28, 2012 2:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Amazing people!Thanks buddy!
markhallam - Oct 28, 2012 2:18 pm - Voted 10/10
Great article Paulo - but.....you missed someone!
How about Norman Croucher? He lost both legs in an accident at the age of 19 - then took up climbing. He climbed in the Alps, Andes & Himalayas through 1970's & 1980's - 1st Brit to climb Muztagh Ata. I had the privilage of being with him on Broad Peak in 1987, when we all (including Norm) reached nearly 7000m. I have since fallen out of touch, but I do know that he eventually got his 8-thousander - summiting Cho-Oyu.
Here is his website address:
http://www.normancroucher.co.uk/
Best wishes
Mark
PAROFES - Oct 28, 2012 2:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great article Paulo - but...Well Mark, I am very glad you had the chance to meet in person one of those heroes!
But remember, I presented just a few cases, probably there is a lot more out there...I probably missed not someone, dozens of them! :)
Cheers
Paulo
MoapaPk - Oct 28, 2012 4:43 pm - Voted 10/10
Think outside the boxI never lost a limb; however, I did lose the fine motor control over the right side of my body. I was offered the chance to have myself declared disabled, but it was too inconsistent with the life I planned to lead.
I have absolutely no desire to be seen as different. But I do wish to point out that an obvious physical disability can sometimes be advantageous over a crushing neurological condition that does not involve loss of limb. I have no proprioception in my right hand or leg, but have gone on to do much more than I did when I was "whole." Six months after my brain damage, I was in line at the grocery, in front of a fat man in a wheelchair. I had a very hard time signing my name on the VISA receipt. The man behind me burst forth angrily, "can't you see that I'm crippled?" He didn't like waiting the extra 4 seconds it took to sign my name. Yes, I could see very well that he was crippled in his legs and fatness, and chose a life of wallowing self-pity and his infirmity... but he didn't see my infirmity. And after 10.5 years, I prefer to let people think I am normal.
My brother lost a leg in an accident, and I admire him greatly for the things that he has done since. But he never suffered crushing vertigo, nor complete loss of balance, and even his upper leg has the proprioception that I lack.
No sympathy for me, please; I detest it. But remember that many of those out there who look "whole" suffer as badly than those who are missing limbs.
PAROFES - Oct 28, 2012 6:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Think outside the boxHello Moa,
Believe me, I have thought about this point of view, that's why I wrote JUST about AMPUTEE climbers. Never got into other disability because the text would just be too big.
Either way, thank you for pointing out this point of view. I think you're much better than me to share this kind of knowledge anyway...
Best wishes
Paulo
CClaude - Oct 28, 2012 8:52 pm - Hasn't voted
A couple of side notesFor Hugh Herr, after his amputation, he did two amazing routes of note ( among his MANY ofthe accomplishments both climbing and engineering ).The first is the second ascent of City Park. City Park is a 5.13d fingers/ tips crack. Many disputenhis ascent saying his was with aid ( since his prosethetics fit in the cracks). My response is go cut off your own damn legs and do the climb. The other biggie is Stage Fright 5.12d X, a route that took 20 yrs to see a second ascent. Not only is he a kick ass climber, but a world class engineer,.
CClaude - Oct 28, 2012 9:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Also to add to the list isAlso to add to list is Nawang Sherpa. He lost his legs in an accident in the early 2000's and then came back to summit Everest in a small expedition with Tom McMillan from the Bay Area. Given the incredible nature of such acomp lishments are for amputees in the Western world, we souldn't overrlook the accomplishments of those athletes in countries without the access tothe rehabilitation that many of us have....
And have to say that Spencer Wests acomplishment is probably the most ammazing. A double amputee at the waist to do Kili....think of the perseverence....major kudos to you all.....
PAROFES - Oct 29, 2012 6:05 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Also to add to the list isThanks Claude for the great adds! Remembr, just like I said to Mark: "But remember, I presented just a few cases, probably there is a lot more out there...I probably missed not someone, dozens of them!"
Cheers
Paulo
Fletch - Oct 29, 2012 3:06 pm - Voted 10/10
Thanks PauloHumbling reminder of how blessed we all are and how some people redefine inspiration.
PAROFES - Oct 29, 2012 3:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks PauloThat's it James, you got it.
Know what? The other day I was watching NatGeo, a show about a portuguese middle aged man who had no face due to a tumor, huge, about 4,5kgs. "The man who lost his face".
After that you know what I thought?
"Damn, I 'm glad my problem is on my bone marrow..."
PS: Your friend never wrote me!
Cheers
Paulo
jacobsmith - Oct 29, 2012 8:45 pm - Voted 10/10
Some DoubtsI don't want to minimize what these men have gone through, climbing is hard enough with four fully functioning limbs, but i don't think people should be getting so famous just because they got injured one time. mediocre, walk-up route climbs are still just that, even if you have a prosthetic limb or two.
Aron Ralston is a perfect example: the guy was an egocentric fool before he did something dumb and had to cut off his arm, and now he makes tens of thousands of dollars while much better climbers starve in obscurity.
I don't mean to be contrary, but i really wonder about our fascination with disfigurement and feel-good stories of "incredible odds."
PAROFES - Oct 30, 2012 7:49 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Some DoubtsYou have a valid point of view, but think about the pain those people went through in the frostbite, cutting it off, and after that climbing over it...
Inglis had to be carried down the mountain, he just couldn't take any more pain and ended up losing another peace of both legs...
Unfortunately media likes this sort of thing, that's the reason they get famous.
kpthomson - Oct 30, 2012 11:59 am - Hasn't voted
InspirationalVery Inspirational.
PAROFES - Oct 30, 2012 4:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: InspirationalThank you, glad you like it.
Cheers
Paulo
Josh Lewis - Oct 31, 2012 6:33 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Incorrect InformationOk so maybe there is a mistake in one of the stories, that does not discredit the article. My brother always tells me to do your own research if you want to verify a story or not. This article was written by a passionate writer who wanted the amputee's stories to be heard. This is definitely a unique article that is worthy for folks to read. Although accurate facts are important, the most important thing though is the theme and message behind it. Parofes, don't let folks discourage you from writing. People in the past have tried that with me, but I persisted though it. :-)