People who overcome obstacles

I like to hear about real people who did things in spite of obstacles. For instance, Helen Keller, FDR, Aimee Mullins, and Ray Charles are only four known for the accomplishments they excelled in, but rather paid little to no attention to their personal, physical obstacles they each had.

I've often imagined what it must have been like to not see, or hear.  How different it would be to relate to a world without color or sound, and live in dark silence?

Navigating a hiking path blindfolded


Photo credit: jppi from morguefile.com
 
I went hiking with a friend one time and blindfolded myself to experience how it would be like to navigate the trail without sight. I had a walking stick so I could have something to hold on to and my friend gave instructions to walk straight or turn or step up. It was fatiguing.  Then I've put in ear plugs to experience a few hours without sound. That experience left me numb and unfulfilled. Sounds are very needed for everything. Even small insignificant small sounds tell us information. For instance, when I don't hear birds outside, the  silence indicates something is going on with the weather without having to hear a weather forecast. Without sounds and sight, I wonder if another of my senses would really become more sensitive? Maybe I could become a super food or wine taster. I could gather more info of my world through a heightened sense of touch. What I'd really like to be is a nose. I think that would be very interesting occupation to have. But for now, I enjoy seeing others excel over obstacles and soar.


Dance and soar to your desire


Photo credit: wallyir from morguefile.com

 
Regardless of physical obstacles, the human spirit wants to fly high. This young man, a Little League pitcher, flies over his obstacle,  which happens to be a physical shortcoming to you and I. Rather than letting his physical handicap of having only one arm be an excuse to this young man, and limit the height he wishes to soar, he doesn't. He chooses to make the best of things-he pitched a no-hitter. His parents and family have got to be so thrilled of his accomplishments. That's the sort of spirit we need to all have. Determination, and motivation without hesitation. That shows us there's nothing too high or too wide that a determined spirit can't tackle, persevere, conquer and win.

Obstacles, what obstacles?

Check out this for running/sprinting.
And view this amazing ballet. Read their story below the video.
And check out Clair Lomas, completing the London marathon. in spite of being paralyzed from the waist down.