Last night I attended the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic opening ceremonies. It was amazing! It was not just the spectacle of the event. It was the inspiration of the message.
At one point in the proceedings we were told two stories. Both stories were about overcoming adversity to make a difference.
The first was about Rick Hansen. In a wheelchair, Rick’s mission was to raise money to find the cure for spinal cord injury and to make communities fully accessible and inclusive. Through Rick's Man in Motion tour he was able to, not only raise money, he significantly change the views of people over many continents. He was able to reach people so that they could look beyond the wheel chair.
The second was Terry Fox. Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer at 18. While going through treatment, he was so moved by what he witnessed others endure, many children, he decided to run a Marathon of Hope to raise money for Cancer research. Terry had lost his leg to cancer, but that did not stop him from his determination to run across Canada. He started in Newfoundland, Canada.
Terry did not finish the marathon himself, as his cancer returned, but now his marathon is completed through others, as it is run once a year in 30 countries.
The emblem of the Paralympics is three agitos (Latin for "I move"), that encircle a centre point which reflects the bringing together of athletes from all over the world. Like Rick and Terry, these women and men have overcome adversity to be the best they can be. Through mind, body and spirit they prevail.
It made me recognize the power we all possess as individuals no matter what the cause or the message. We all have the power to inspire. We can all make a difference.
Oh gosh – I have to go and get a tissue now.
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