A Tenacious Pursuit of Altered Dreams

In 1955 Jill Kinmont Boothe, a U.S. champion skier, crashed during a race, which paralyzed her.  Boothe became a role model for her tenacious pursuit of altered dreams.  She learned to use her shoulder muscles to write and paint.  She studied German and English at UCLA.  She was a teacher for 30 years.*

In other words, Boothe chose to make a life without skiing, a life lived paralyzed,  a life  still worth living. 

So often we define a life worth living as one where bodies are perfect and intellects intact.

My respect goes to  those who have chosen to turn their challenges into inspiration.  Those who refuse to let society dictate to them what boundaries they must stay within and what lines they aren’t to cross.

Parker has a tenacious spirit.

He recognizes no limits.

Life is his to live on his terms, to the best of his ability.  He inspires by his determination to master what ever new skill is put before him, while navigating a world often only 50 feet in diameter.

He’s endured more pain in his seven years, than most of us are asked to endure in a lifetime.

Still he smiles.  Still he trusts and loves and lives.

In this setting roles are reversed.  Parker inspires me to be a better person.  A stronger person.  A more forgiving person.  A person unwilling to live life confined within someone else’s lines.

In this realm Parker is my teacher, and I hope to prove an intrepid student.

*Time Magazine