How high can they fly?

That was great Linda. It just goes to show you, that sometimes potential sneaks up on us. Many times we become aware of a person's true talents by accident. Once realized we should try to expand on them. Wouldn,t it be great if we took the time to notice what makes each other unique and helped each other realize how our unique qualities could be leveraged to enhance our lives and those around us?

Patrick's Father did this. He saw a talent, helped nurture it and then did what it took to make his son a inspirational spoke on the wheel of life.

Thanks for the great video, Linda, and the story Duane. Here is another video (I feel challenged by Linda's techiness) about Johnny the Bagger. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, Rick - Johnny the Bagger is a great story!  Just goes to show how simple things can make a world of difference, eh?

Sometimes it's the little acts of kindness that have the most impact. Johnny is a fine example of a  man with hidden potential and a talent for making people want. There are a whole lot of people who make big money to come up with ideas that make people want, and it's refreshing to know that simple acts of kindness can sometimes trump the most sophisticated matketing campaigns. Maybe we complicate our live to much.

Thanks Linda and Rick for exposing us to a couple of fine examples of people facing long odds that still rise above personal challenges and impact those around them far more than we would ever imagine.

By the way this is kind of a neat string, maybe we should make it a discussion.

I agree, Henry - Patrick Henry's statement is so awesome. Now to get the rest of the world to see it that way, eh?

Here is another video that just blows me away every time I watch it. Sometimes I think those of us with two legs, two arms, and eyes that see are the ones who are "disadvantaged."

Duane, thank you for starting this discussion thread.  As I was reading through (and wiping a tear or three from my eye), I was not only struck by how amazing and inspirational each of these "disadvantaged" people are, but by how amazing and inspirational each of us is.

Each and every human being is as magnificent as each person described and seen here .  I don't just believe that, I KNOW it. We each have something unique, something special in us.  I call it "what we carry", and it is our gift to the world.  What I "carry" is the gift of having others express their gift as fully and completely as possible, as each of these young people do.

Duane, you said ..."you never know how high a bird can fly until you let it flap its' wings. How many people never realize their true potential because we never take the time either from a management or mentor point of view to dig for their hidden potential. It is almost always a surprise."  How true.  That's really the kernel of why I love what I do.  And how wonderful to have a company's culture be one that allows this to grow and blossom!

What these stories evoke so beautifully is coaching.  And now you know what I see when I look at you! 

Can it be that we spend so much time shining the light on a person's disabilities that the reflection blinds us to ther abilities?

Linda,

I just watched the Video of the dancers. I think it's human nature for us to feel sorry for this man who lost his leg. In reality, I for one am in awe, I just wish I had his strength, grace and ability. I recommend that anyone reading this string take a look at the videos Linda and Rick provided. These are fine examples of the strenght of human spirit and the power of building on potential instead of dismissing because of percieved dificiencies. We should not look at people for what we think they can't do but dig for what they can do and figure out how it can work for them and us. What do the call that, Win Win?

Duane asked: "Can it be that we spend so much time shining the light on a person's
disabilities that the reflection blinds us to their abilities?"

I came into this life with a skeletal "disability" - nothing as severe as Patrick Henry Hughes or the two amazing dancers - but I speak from experience in answering "YES" to Duane's question. I was raised to see myself as "different" and that "different" was a negative. It took me decades to get beyond that, and it still rears up now and then.

I cried during the opening scenes of "Forest Gump" because I related so deeply to the emotional devastation of the child in leg braces and the taunting he endured. I cried watching the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" segment on Patrick Henry Hughes. I cry every time I see the one-legged/one armed ballet video because I didn't get  "nothing can stop you but yourself" encouragement.

And I repeat what I said earlier: Sometimes I think those of us with two legs, two arms, and eyes that see are the ones who are "disadvantaged."

Linda,
Your personality shines so bright that it relegates any problems that may exist to background clutter that is easily ignored.

I'm kind of ashamed though and wish my computer at work would let me open the videos of the dancers. Judging from your reference to one arm and one leg I missed half the story. I focused on the man and did not even notice that the woman was missing an arm. Shame on me.

It just goes to show you that if you don't look at the whole package you may miss the most important point. I have an excuse though, I have Glaucoma and tend to focus on individual objects up close. Because I do this I miss out on a lot of the other objects in the picture. Unfortunately I saw the man's missing leg first so that gat my attention.

This is a fine example of a person (me) noticing the obvious and not noticing as the true point of the video flew slowly over my head. Look beyond what catches your attention and uncover the true potential of any interaction.

Thank you, Duane, for your wonderful compliment - I'm honored you see me that way.

I think the woman's missing arm is less obvious because the man's crutch is such a prominent part of the dance, and the design of her costume. Actually, I don't think I realized she was missing an arm until the second time I watched it.

And, I have to say that you are brighter and more eloquent in your communications than a lot of people I know who haven't had a closed head injury - I think you are brilliant!

Be afraid, be very afraid, I just had another thought.

How many times have people hired someone for a specific task and ended up letting them go because they did not meet expectations. You spend the time training someone only to see the investment go down the tubes. Well guess what, you know what they can't do but why not dig a little deeper and see what they can do. Why loose your investment in an individual and possibly more money if they draw unemployment. Figure out what their strengths are and if there strengths compliment the goals of your company re-purpose them and they might become another building block to secure future profitibility.