But this isn't like the other stories because Oscar isn't just another media darling. He's the poster boy for overcoming adversity, for a triumph of the human spirit over the mortal body. His making it to the finals in the Olympics despite his condition as a double amputee became a symbol of hope for disabled people all over, a living manifestation of the time-honored tradition for overcoming adversity. And sadly, perhaps this disappointment makes it complete. That is, in spite of his strength and courage, in spite of the hope he may have filled the world with, Oscar Pistorius is tragically human. Which means that, yes, there is the possibility that in a fit of rage, or possibly even an illogical bout of fear and confusion like he's complaining, he can take the life of a beautiful human being whose only real crime was loving him.
The thing I hate about this is that few people in the world in general know about the amazing achievements of and within the world of the physically challenged. And I'm not talking about Murderball or Wheelz Fotheringham. Those are amazing in their own right, athletes with more heart (and steelier balls) than almost anybody alive. But what I'm talking about is the joint between science and humanity, the future of prosthetics and bionics being manifest now, the breaking of limitations previous thought to hold back the disabled and how pioneers are pushing it forward. When you look into this wild world, Oscar Pistorius is just a scratch on the surface, albeit a very visible one.
First off let's start with the other prosthesis-based press from last week, the FDA approval of a bionic eye. While not fully restorative, it allows recipients to discern colors, large letters, objects, shapes, so on. Then there's the mind-controlled hand, another bold new step in the world of bionics. Both of these will no doubt go down in history someday as medical breakthroughs on par with he first heart transplant or brain surgery.
But since we as people need other people to relate to something - that is, all the talk of the possibility of a real $6 million dollar means nothing to us until someone visible uses the new technology - and since the previous poster boy for the possibilities inherent in this brave new world of body meets technology, Pistorius, will no doubt be blacklisted for the rest of his life - I present to you a new face for human greatness in spite of physical adversity: The Gimp Monkeys.
First off, let's talk quickly about El Capitan, one of the world meccas for climbers, is a sheer granite wall in Yosemite. It was first climbed via the nose in 1958, a climb that took 47 days. I consider myself a decent athlete and have begun to be interested in climbing but I can safely say that I will never climb El Capitan.
The route they take, the 1800-foot Zodiac wall, wasn't summitted until 1972, very late for any first ascent in modern mountaineering. So to the Gimp Monkeys I can say even missing body parts you are more man than myself.
As they combine technology in the form of protheses and climbing gear with their own human strength and skill, these men have proven that there's really no limit.
Two lines to take from it: "Hey Pete, can you hand me my leg?" and something about how we all have disabilities of one kind or another and we can either let them run our lives or push through them. Attitude can be a disability as much as any physical problem.
So, as we find our inspirations shattered yet again (damn you Lance Armstrong, I wore your bracelet for, like, 2 years), we have to move on and find new people to give us courage to go out and tackle life. To use our will, our know-how, and our science to overcome any obstacle in our way.
On that motivational note, have a good short week.
- Ryan
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