Some people literally perform small feats every day. We collected 8 real stories about amazing people, whose diseases and injuries do not limit, but stimulate to new achievements and victories.
1. Serfengiste Bethany Hamilton
When young Bethany Hamilton was 13, she was attacked by a shark, who bit her hand on her shoulder. It seemed that the girl's dreams of becoming a professional serf-woman had collapsed overnight, but her tireless desire to conquer the waves brought her back to the board just four weeks after the tragedy. Two years later, she won her first national competition, and then in a few years she won several more titles. Bethany is actively engaged in charity, she founded her own fund "Friends of Bethany", and is also a fitness trainer and gives advice on her website on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. She is a happy wife and mother, and one of the best professional serfengists in the world.
2. Breakdancer Luke Patwelli, nicknamed "Lazy Legs"
Luke Patwelli is a Canadian breakdance dancer with a rare congenital disease - arthrogryposis, which limits the motor work of the joints and the growth of muscle mass. Luke suffered 16 operations on the spine, but at 15 years was carried away by breakdancing and began to represent Canada in the qualifying rounds of international competitions. He traveled all over North America, and in 2007 gathered from around the world an international team of dancers with disabilities. He participated in the popular US show Ellen Degeneres, spoke with Kanye West, and in 2010 was invited to speak at the opening of the Paralympic Games in Vancouver. Luke teaches dances to disabled children, and never ceases to repeat "there are no excuses - there are no restrictions."
3. Snowboarder Amy Purdy
In her youth Amy Purdy was actively engaged in snowboarding, but at age 19 she contracted bacterial meningitis, as a result of which she had impaired renal function, she was removed from the spleen and both legs. Forecasts of doctors were disappointing: only 2% (!) For recovery, so they had to introduce the girl into an artificial coma. However, two years later, Amy successfully transplanted the donor kidney, and less than three months later, she was already descending the snow-covered slopes on her new prostheses. Amy is one of the best American snowboarders and the bronze medalist of the Paralympic Games 2014. She acts as a model, inspires others with her example and is one of the developers of an adaptive technique that helps people with disabilities to engage in active sports. Well, in 2014, Amy finally won hearts, flawlessly dancing in the final of the American show "Dancing with the Stars."
4. Freestyler Aaron Fotheringham, nicknamed "Wheelchairman"
A 24-year-old Aaron Fotheringham had a congenital malformation - a spina bifida, and in the most severe form, which caused complete paralysis of the legs. Since the age of eight, he is chained to a wheelchair. However, Aaron never gave up his dreams. Following his brother, he began to disappear in the skatepark and, after winning several freestyle competitions, in 2006 for the first time in the world made a backflip in a wheelchair, and four years later - a double back flip. Aaron trains sick children and goes to the performances with the circus tent.
5. Traveler and public activist Spencer West
At the age of five, Spencer West lost half his body: due to genetic pathology, both legs were amputated to him from the pelvis. Nevertheless, Spencer did not shut himself up, but chose an active lifestyle. In 2012, he climbed to the highest peak of Africa - Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in seven days, breaking 80% of the way on his hands and earning $ 500 thousand for charity for children. He helped build schools in Kenya and India, and is now engaged in several environmental and humanitarian projects. Spencer wrote a book about his journey. He travels to different countries in lectures about an active lifestyle.
6. Actresses Lauren Potter and Jamie Brewer
These two charming ladies were born with Down's syndrome, but changed preconceived ideas about what it means to be a Hollywood actress. Lauren Potter was shot on a regular basis in one of the television series, and in 2011 was delegated to the presidential committee for people with mental disabilities. Jamie began attending the theater circle as a teenager and was shot in four seasons of the American horror story. She also works with several charitable organizations. In 2015, she became the first woman with Down syndrome, who walked on the catwalk during the fashion week in New York.
7. Musician Cornel Hriskka-Mann
Cornel Hriskka-Mann was born without the lower part of his arms, and because of pathology in his infancy he was amputated. But Cornelo was lucky to get from the Romanian home of a child to an English family. In his new homeland, he participated in charity bike rides, was engaged in swimming, and when he grew older, he showed interest in music. You will not believe, but somehow Cornel managed to learn how to play drums and bass! In recent years, he has acquired many fans and followers by placing on his channel in youtube famous compositions in his own performance. His game was interested in drummer Red Hot Chili Peppers Chad Smith.
8. The politician Angela Bachiller
By her appearance in the political arena in 2013, Angela Bachiller caused a shock to the political peace of Spain. She became the first person with Down syndrome who opened a public reception room and started a political career, earning a place in the council of the city of Valladolid. Her appointment can be seen as a huge step in the problem of normalizing attitudes towards people with genetic abnormalities and their involvement in public life, because many people with Down's syndrome are still deprived of the opportunity to vote in elections.