Opening Doors — Of ‘Idols,’ Heroes” and Magnificent Human Beings

We really do have to find a new word in our culture to describe those who “… in the face of danger and adversity … display courage and the will for self sacrifice … for some greater good of all humanity” (Wikipedia definition of “hero”).
The word “idol” has a connotation dating back to biblical times of excessive admiration or devotion. So the current “American Idol” fad by its very title could imply that the recognition these Idols receive may not be in proportion to their worth or achievement.
The term “hero,” on the other hand, has been so overused and loosely applied in recent years (William Safire, your sermons on the use and abuse of language are sorely missed!) that it seems to have lost all power and meaning. Case in point — Stephen Slater, the flight attendant whose meltdown and unprofessional behavior on a recent Jet Blue flight have caused him to be hailed as a hero by many on the Internet and may bestow on him more than the proverbial 15 minutes of fame. Drama maybe…but heroism?
Contrast with Mr. Slater’s story another that was reported on two days later but has received little comment from those in the Internet community. On Aug. 11, three permanently disabled American war veterans reached the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, climaxing a grueling six-day hike to their lofty goal. Kirk Bauer, a Vietnam vet, Dan Nevins, who served in Iraq, and Neil Duncan, who was injured in Afghanistan, have something besides determination and war service in common. All three are amputees, and refer to themselves as “Team Missing Parts in Action,” referring to the fact that they have one human leg and five prosthetic legs between them.
Bauer heads the nonprofit organization, Disabled Sports USA, that sponsored the Kilimanjaro trip. The organization’s mission is to help individuals with disabilities to develop confidence, independence and fitness through sports and recreational programs. This particular trip was part of the Warfighter Sports Challenge, a program of extreme sports events for permanently disabled veterans. The three amputees, according to Bauer, hoped by their efforts to inspire not only wounded veterans but also all people with disabilities to choose to live healthy, active lives.
Duncan, the youngest of the three climbers at age 26, had attempted the challenge in 2009, but poor planning and preparation had robbed him of the prize. He was convinced, though, that the goal was attainable, and this time, though the loose rock of the higher trails presented an exhausting challenge for his artificial legs, he persevered even through the difficult descent, a process he describes as “more of a controlled fall down the mountain.”
Until Dan Nevins, who lost both legs in Iraq, developed altitude sickness on the descent and had to be evacuated on a wheeled stretcher, little accommodation had been required by the team to complete the Challenge. The ascent took them two or three days more than the average, and they were allowed to spend the night in tents at 19,000 feet. Too, because the rough terrain was expected to take a huge toll on their titanium and carbon fiber prosthetics, their preparation included packing extra legs.
“Absolutely spectacular” were the words Ken Bauer used to describe the trio’s experience. Until our culture either restores the integrity of the word “hero” or finds a better word to replace it, to describe these wounded veterans as heroes seems sadly inadequate. “Magnificent” seems a better description of these three men and their accomplishments.
Did you know?
• The Un-limb-ited Support Group, a resource for amputees and their families, meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 1 pm in the Maruchi Room in Cape Regional Medical Center. The next meeting will be held on September 20th. Contact: Audrey Smith (898-0803), John McDonald (861-5695) or Paulann Pierson (465-4117 Ext. 28)
• The East Lynne Theater Company will present an American Sign Language interpreted performance of their current production, THE DICTATOR, on Friday, August 27th at 8:30 pm
• The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) of New Jersey is presenting a workshop on Basic Rights in Transition at the ARC of Atlantic County in Egg Harbor Township on Tuesday, August 31st from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The workshop will cover the issues related to transitioning from school to adult life and will discuss resources in the community that can help with that transition. For more information contact Mary Ann Philippi at 609-641-1877.
• Autism Family Services of New Jersey is holding their 2010 Beach Bash on Sunday, September 12th in Belmar, New Jersey. This FREE EVENT for the autism community includes arts and crafts, organized activities, face painting, informational booths and much more. Registration is required. Call 1-877-237-4477 Ext. 121 to register.
• A 5-session program of education and support for those who are caring for family members or friends is being offered this Fall in the Maruchi Room at Cape Regional Medical Center. Caring for You, Caring for Me will combine instruction and group discussion. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm from September 14th through Oct. 12. To register call Bonnie Kratzer (463-4043).
Pierson is the Coordinator of the Cape May County Office of Disability Services