Most of us get to the point where we think ‘enough is enough’.
When something major happens we can often think – quite legitimately – that it’s time to call it quits.
That’s why stories like that of Lance Armstrong coming back from cancer to win the Tour de France more times than anyone else in the history of the event are so inspiring. Those stories tell us that God has put something inside us that gives us the ability to fight against the odds. (Lance’s doctors thought he had extremely little chance of living yet alone ever cycling again.)
Perhaps not so dramatic but inspiring nevertheless is this story about Robbie McEwan, the winner of the Green Jersey in the 2004 Tour de France.
McEwen went to a Dutch hospital today for an X-ray and cat scan which revealed the fractures, known as transverse process.
“Today was the first chance I found time to go to the hospital and I have to say I was relieved to hear the diagnosis because it explains why I was in so much pain in agony for much of the Tour,” he said.
“The two fractures are in the bones which are like little wings that come off your vertebrae,” he said.
Apparently he rode most of the gruelling 3 week race with a broken back. He rode up some of the steepest climbs in the world and didn’t just survive – he shone. Now the race is over is he going to take time out to let his back heal? No – he’s now preparing for the Olympics.
I have no doubt that people like this are absolutely driven and that we don’t all have the same ability to deal with adversity but I think we can learn a lot about the human spirit from these guys.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
