Sometimes you have no choice but to move beyond yourself.
And in that space beyond self, you will sometimes discover vast new worlds of
self you could have never before imagined.
Last week, I shared the stories of three people who have defied
limits of age, socio-economic background, and lack of experience to achieve seemingly
impossible dreams. Fauja Singh took up running at 89 and was still completing
marathons when he turned 100. Ingeborg
Syllm-Rapoport earned her doctorate at 102, having been denied it by the Nazis
nearly 80 years earlier. And Kathy Delaney-Smith, took herself from knowing
literally nothing about basketball to becoming one of the most celebrated
coaches in NCAA history. (If you missed last week’s post, you can read it
here.) All three have received extensive and well-deserved media coverage.
This week, I want to share with you three young heroes who,
unlike Singh, Rapoport and Smith, go about their work quietly, far from the
public eye. Given their life circumstances, it would understandable – almost
expected – that their life stories would portray breakdown, failure and defeat.
Yet – their accomplishments can only inspire awe.
In fact, they are my reason (in addition to turning 50) for
running five marathons this year. They are my heroes – the ones I look to when
I need an extra push to move beyond my perceived limitations and to expand my
circle of what is possible.
Asael, Ido and Caroline all train at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. The Israel Sport Center is the world’s largest sports center
for children with disabilities. It is an international model of possibility –
Asael, Ido and Caroline are but three of the 3,000 children and adults who are
building lives of hope and triumph at the Center.
ASAEL - A LIFE SHATTERED, YET ASTONISHINGLY REBUILT
Asael first came to the Israel Sport Center when he was nine years old. He had lost his leg in a Palestinian terrorist attack. But Asael had lost much more – his mother and three brothers were murdered in that same attack.
Asael started swimming not only to rebuild his physical
strength, but to gain a renewed sense of self and embrace life again even in
the face of devastating physical and emotional loss.
He fell in love with the sport, has trained hard, and is determinedly
working his way to the top. Incredibly, despite everything, Asael declares
confidently, “My dream is to represent Israel at the Olympics.
IDO - A LEADER, DESPITE EVERYTHING
Ido was once an up and coming Israeli football player, a leader on one of Israel’s elite youth teams. Ido’s future seemed full of possibility – until one day, when his doctors diagnosed him with bone cancer. After several extensive surgeries, the doctors told Ido that he not only wouldn’t play football, but would never walk again.
Although Ido is now in a wheelchair, it would not be accurate to say that Ido “sits” in a wheelchair. For Ido is always on the move. While no longer on the football field, Ido can be found on the basketball court. Today, Ido is one of Israel’s up and coming wheelchair basketball stars, setting the highest standards for himself and serving as an inspiration to his teammates.
CAROLINE - SHOWING WHAT WINNING IS ALL ABOUT
Unlike Asael and Ido, Caroline was born paralyzed in both her legs. She came to the Israel Sports Center when she was three. Now a teen, Caroline serves as a role model to younger children at the Center.
Caroline began as a swimmer. After placing third in a
swimming competition, she was devastated, but eventually discovered both her
ideal sport and the true meaning of winning.
One day, Caroline watched a wheelchair table tennis match. She was hooked. As she started to play for the first time, as an Israel Sports Center staff member said, “we all knew – a champion was born that day.”
Caroline now ranks number 16 in the world and aspires to
represent Israel at the Olympics. Even as she excels to the top ranks, Caroline
reflects, “Winning is not the most important thing in sports . . . the most
important thing is to do the best you can.”
A video about the Israel Sport Center featuring Caroline and Ido
How many of us push off a workout because we’re tired or
don’t feel like it? How many of us stop short of achieving our goals, citing
all the obstacles that stood in our way? How many of us give up on projects we
began with enthusiasm because we’ve decided it’s too hard?
Full disclosure: I’ve done all of those things (but I know I’m not alone).
Yet, it’s hard for me to rationalize why I’m too tired to go out for a run when I know that Ido, Asael and Caroline are training a lot harder than I. It’s hard for me to say that something is too hard knowing what incredible obstacles Asael, Ido and Caroline and the thousands of other children at the Israel Sports Center have overcome to achieve a level of outer and inner strength that few of us possess. If they can achieve what they have with the all the obstacles that have been thrown in front of them, then how can I ever make excuses for myself?
Boaz Kramer, the Executive Director of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, has said that while a number of participants at the Center do become Olympic champions, that’s not their ultimate goal. “Our ultimate goal,” declared Kramer, “is to make them champions of life.”
As many know, while I am running these five marathons, I am
raising $5,000 for the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled to make it
possible for people like Ido, Asael and Caroline to achieve their dreams. Many
have generously donated already, and we are nearly halfway to our goal. If you
wish to make a donation, you will be giving a lifeline to these
beyond-incredible people.
And even if you don’t, I hope you’ll use their stories as
inspiration. In the end, what could be better than becoming a “champion of
life?”
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I am running these five marathons for the amazing children and adults at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. We have set a goal of $5,000. Every donation of any amount makes a difference. Click here if you want to help us get to the finish line!
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