Here’s to a couple of truly inspirational stories this past week. Sunday, Nov. 3rd, was the New York Marathon. The first story that I find totally uplifting and motivating is actually one that has a bittersweet ending. The other one carries on with renewed vim and vigor.
Joy Johnson, an 86 year old woman, was the oldest woman to run the marathon. It was her 25th one since she started running at the age of 59 (hey, there’s hope for me yet). She fell at about mile 20 and continued on till the end. The next day she had her moment on NBC morning news only to go back to her hotel room for a nap and die in her sleep. What better way to go than dying peacefully in your sleep right after doing what you love. Defying all beliefs and ‘old age’ mindsets about doing something so beyond the norm for her chronological age, she is a true inspiration in how to life thoroughly engaged in what you love without self-imposed limits and fears of all the ‘what ifs’.
Jimmy Jenson , a 48 year old man, became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete the 
marathon. He ran with Jenny Davis, a coordinator of a day hab program for people with disabilities. Together they worked up to this over the past ten years, running shorter distances and finally setting a record here in New York. Here again, breaking through a belief system which clearly limits one’s potential, a new example is set.
I started off this week with my interview of yet another person who lives beyond standard beliefs and preconceived notions. Having a daughter with cerebral palsy, in a wheelchair, has not stopped Laverne Bissky and her family from living out their dreams of traveling the world. In fact she’s turned that into a meaningful cause as well:
No Ordinary Journey Foundation
“This not-for-profit was created to fill a gap in services available to children with physical disabilities in the developing world. In resource poor areas of the world, such as Vietnam, people with disabilities and especially children, are the last to benefit from economic growth. Programs to train and educate individuals and families in managing disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy help lift them from poverty and bring dignity to their lives.”
In all of these stories a Can Do attitude prevails. All the seemingly logical reasons to not do are pushed aside for what I consider to be the love of life and the love, interest and desire to live well despite…..in these cases – age, mental disability, physical disability.
What are you pushing through, however small it may be? What limiting belief may be holding you back?
