A Very Inspirational Story about an Athlete....

[jmayesvaultmom]

Check this out and her web site...

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article ... 5209990001

www.bethanyhamilton.com

[qtpie57]

wow... thats soooo sad

[qtpie57]

http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/11/25/3fc38427060

maybe its just me... but i cant believe this guy wrote that....

[jmayesvaultmom]

Which article is it?

[qtpie57]

oh sorry i put the wrong link... this is it: http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/11/25/3fc3842706088?in_archive=1

[jmayesvaultmom]

He is very insensitive. But the sad part about it is to look at it another way. If just some regular kid out surfing had had the same thing happen, they would not have the same media blitz going and their family would have had to deal with expenses not covered by insurance, etc. You have to look at it in another way, and that is from a religious point of view. Maybe it is God's plan that this tragedy is for a reason, being the power of her witness. That is of course something that the reporter didn't go into at all....

[qtpie57]

whether he has a valid point or not... i mean c'mon... joe disability? how insensitive can you get...?

[jhesch]

I guess I somewhat differ on opinions...while he may not have presented his article in the most appropriate manner, i think his "thesis", if you will, is very significant. Some may say she's making the best of a bad situation, others that she's taking advantage of it with all the media attention. Regardless, I believe that the people in this country/world who need the money/attention/resources are incredibly underreported and unknown (anyone been to homeless shelter, or even Calcutta for that matter lately?). It seems that with the importance of material possessions, entertainment and gratification in U.S. today its gonna be a lot bigger deal knowing that a star athlete and entertainer was injured instead of knowing about all the people that are fatally wounded or diagnosed with a chronic illness every day, and I don't feel its right. In the case of this girl who was injured, it indeed is a tragedy and she obviously did nothing wrong, but is it right, the attention that she gets compared to everyone who has it so much worse and fights to survive everyday? I think it's very sad what happened, but don't necessarily find it inspirational....I imagine most people given that situation would act similar i.e. learn to deal with the loss and move on, but maybe not indulge in media coverage as much? I think inspirational stories include those of the blind polevaulter and sprinters that continue after losing half their leg, as opposed to an arm (compared to her situation.) i find stories inspirational when people use their tragic experiences as a springboard towards improving the lives of others facing similar situations or becoming a better person in some way. I would like to wait and see what happens with her and how this loss affects her career, life, family, and pursuits in life and then look for inspiration.

[qtpie57]

i'm not saying hes wrong.. i'm not saying he's right either.. but he could have brought his point across just as well without the jokes...