"This is my Legs"

#FridayFortitude
I happened to meet Moran Samuel at JFK airport as she waited on the Alitalia line to board enroute to Israel. We began to talk to pass the time and eventually the topic of her disability came up. I asked her why her wheelchair was so battered. She explained that " this is my legs" and goes everywhere with her. "Like where" I asked. Well her response overwhelmed me.
Moran  is a world class para-rowing champion. Para rowing is like sculling for those without the full use of their body. Short for paraplegic they are usually confined to a wheelchair for life.  She had just returned from an event in Boston where she was one of the Israeli team out to compete at the Charles River Regatta.

Unfortunately she was disqualified because she was too-paralyzed! This was a big blow to here, but she explained that it was worth the entry to raise the awareness of how people can overcome adversity. She also spoke at the event and introduced a film titled "Endless Possibilities", www.endlessabilities.org
Social Media is chocked full of inspirational quotes, recipes and suggestions for ways to get more out of life.
Unfortunately I think many people just continue to read these rather than really put words into action.
Does it take a sea change event to really make those changes that will lead to a more satisfying and fulfilling life? Even without such a change, many will succumb to depression, lack of initiative and pessimism.
Well, not in this case. Ms.Samuels is motivated,a believer and dedicated woman using whatever skills and strength she has to compete and win.
Having met her, heard her story and subsequently looked her up on the web, I thought to myself, let me share this story. Hopefully those of you who read this will not be so challenged as she, but let this serve as a little bit of motivation that all of can use whenever we feel things are a bit overwhelming.
Go Moran!
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/10/19/israelis-appearance-head-charles-historic-moment/P3csGjCCzwSKPkL6gYQ8sL/story.html
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Artist Rocks

Love #jfkairport! It is a city with 7 "suburbs" or terminals.
Working there, one never knows who will be seen or interacted with.

My latest interesting encounter--Met ‪#‎RichardNonas‬, known sculptor from NY enroute to London via ‪#‎virginatlantic‬ ‪#‎richardbranson‬. I met him while he patiently was online ( literally) at Virgin Atlantic. Dressed casually with a green denim vest with a couple of mechanical pencils showing in his vest pocket whilst a backpack carried the rest of his belongings.
According to Richard  he is doing a rock sculpture arrangement at Regent Park. He hasn't seen the boulders, does not know now what will be. He has not bee there yet and will see his "canvas" in the next day or so. The most interesting part is his thought process. Right now he has had 18 large boulders placed in the park. They are waiting for him to arrive and then he will place in an artistic manner for the public viewing. . He is going to see the layout then ponder the site and layout. I was fascinated by this approach. So cool to discuss the artistic process while in the formative stages. I could hear the creativity pulse in his head as we spoke. Good luck. Oh, and by the way the Queen of England is scheduled to appear and view the creations.
If you are heading to London, drop by. More Info:http://www.artlyst.com/articles/frieze-sculpture-park-announced-for-2014-london-fair