I was on the couch, nursing an aching leg, having cancelled my plans, due to the lack of mobility…and I turned on the Ironman upon Blazedad’s reccomendation. Robert Blais and his bride are the core of the Blazeman foundation, an organization that raises funds for ALS research in honor of their son Jon Blais, an Ironman and a warrior poet in the war on ALS…check out their site www.waronals.com

I am constantly surprised and delighted by the ability of human beings to adapt and transcend. As I watched the race I moved through many emotions from anger to awe~mostly hanging out around awe. The anger was reserved for myself,as I had been pushing it all week and was paying for it with my painfully sore left leg. I soon forgot about the pain as I watch the Ironman participants young and old, pro and amateur push themselves beyond beyond.

I saw Mike Adamle, a local Chicago sports newsman and former NFL Player who manages his epilepsy, complete the course at age 60. I saw a woman who 2 years ago had a stroke and was told she may not walk again…complete the course. Lee Hollander completed his 20th straight Ironman and I was balling like a baby as I watched Rudy Garcia-Tolson, an accomplished para olympian completely transcend that realm and compete although his legs were removed from just below his pelvis and therefor he propels himself on the bike solely with his glutes…the entire way.

As I saw people endure far more pain in many more places than I was experiencing, it made me feel not so alone. Many people say they are inspired to run to bike and swim for those of us who can’t, but it goes both ways…watching those who can-do it is tremendously thrilling for me as a spectator. It was a great evening!

Rudy Garcia-Tolson made a comment, and I’m paraphrasing here: ” What’s your disability? I’ve got mine, but it’s not stopping me!”
That young man is a walking talking miracle. He really got me thinking…what is your disability?
Is it an attitude? or a story you’ve told yourself for years about how you can’t? shouldn’t couldn’t etc etc- that’s a crippling disability the same as my physical limitations from ALS. Do you have a learning disability or have others told you some limiting belief about yourself? I have come to believe that human beings are endlessly adaptable and innovative. Infact, I believe that some of our best solutions have come from attacking problems in new ways from novel points of view. A distinctive point of view is an ability.

So what is your ability and how will you use it?