Xtreme Para! anyone know who this is?

[Scorpion]

Eileen, you are actually judging him negatively and comparing/contrasting him negatively against people you know. It's as if you see any acknowledgement of Aaron's accomplishments in this sport/activity is somehow an affront to others with disabilities or somehow belittling the accomplishments of others with disabilities, when this is not the case at all.

Your friend may in fact be more courageous in many ways, but the thing is, Aaron's "extreme" pursuits are in no way diminishing anyone else's life choices. I'm curious as to why you seem to need to justify others' life choices that don't include adrenaline rush activities in contrast to Aaron's life choices, and I'm curious as to why you seem to think someone who might do a certain activity that makes them feel more alive is somehow emotionally lacking in other areas of life. Again, I ask you, do you make similar judgments about gymnasts or snow ski jumpers, or others who enjoy adrenaline rush activities? Would you feel the same about someone who feels more alive when they sing, or when they have sex, or jogging, or playing and instrument, or when they cook a good meal...?

[djrolling]

[QUOTE=canuck;1246440]

Originally Posted by djrolling

Well he is not paralyzed, well I guess he may be considered that, but he has Spina Bifida(sp) so I am guessing it is not the same dynamic as SCI. But yes I am sure he takes a beating But if he is happy doing it.....[/QU
OTE]

The paralysis part of SB is the same as SCI, the only differences might be that people with SB might be more incomplete since the damage isn't related to any trauma, there are more deformities of the skeleton since we never had the chance to develop a a/b body so we end up with stuff like scoliosis & kyphosis at a much earlier age.

The major dfference with Spina Bifida is the associated Hydrocephalus. How do I know this? I've been living with Spina Bifida for 41 years. Paralysed is paralysed although there could be different types of paralysis depend on the cause, stroke, polio, sci, sb, ms, md.

Thanks for the 411, I just figured it was different than an Injury and while their might be similarities but at the same time could be very different.

[USASledSniper7]

I agree 100% with Scorpion!

[TMAZ]

I think he is in the movie Jackass two where he flips into the lake the rocket on the back of it.

[LindaT]

It makes the old mother in me nervous!

[My395]

Originally Posted by Eileen

I agree with you that it probably makes him feel a heightened sense of "being alive" although that begs all sorts of questions about his emotional satisfaction when he is not engaged in adreneline rush behaviors. All of us need to find peace from within, because even if he were to engage in these stunts for however long, the day will come when he will not be able to. I agree that he is probably less disabled than many ab's, but no matter how much the "that's amazing" factor comes into play, the AB's still will see him as disabled. Sad, but true. I don't know him, so I have no knowledge of what makes him tick, but whether he was born disabled or not he is still risking quadrapelgia or severe head trauma. Personally, I consider my body screwed up enough at this point, and have no desire to go a few vertebrae higher.

I know many people who engage in adrenaline sports. While it certainly can be an addiction, I do not think it reflects in the slightest about how these people feel when not engaged in these activities. It certainly never did to me. I carry my outdoor adventures with me wherever I go. There are some that I cannot do anymore, but I still carry the experience with me.

That being said, we are all very unique. What may be good for one person may not for another.

Yes, ABs still see him as disabled.... but in a completely different light. Maybe in such a way that it changes their perception of people with disabilities in general.

I used to hate it when my disability came to the forefront with ABs. To be called an inspiration. Or to say that I kick as because of some of the things I do. But I have come to realize that I do kick ass and I am an inspiration, even if only reluctantly. We all are if we get up and on with our lives to the best of our ability.

[djrolling]

Originally Posted by TMAZ

I think he is in the movie Jackass two where he flips into the lake the rocket on the back of it.

I am sure you are wrong about that...If that was just a joke pardon me but without any inflection it is hard to tell

[canuck]

Most of the people that I know that engage in adrenaline type sports are quite safety conscious. That being said I do know one guy who has "used up everyone of his 9 lives and then some" to the point where this spring where he broke his neck in multiple places including C1 & C2, he managed to walk away from it due to the fact that he was biking with friends who were all first aid attendents(they protected his c-spine right away) and was helicopter medivaced straight from the scene to the hospital. Hopefully this experience will make him pull back from the edge a bit.

[0xSquidy]

Originally Posted by TMAZ

I think he is in the movie Jackass two where he flips into the lake the rocket on the back of it.

Nope. Different people. Hilarious though.

[fuentejps]

Originally Posted by TexasWheelz

Nope, looks to me like he's still enjoying life and having fun.

absolutely. kid has a great attitute