Can
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Y’know; lately I can’t seem to get the word can’t out of my mind (not even when I use my best Sam Kinnison impression: Get out! Get out! Get Oooouuuuuttttt!)
For instance, when I was a kid, I heard it all the time (”Hey, you can’t do that; you’re just a kid!) As a teenager, it was practically non-stop (”You can’t do that; you’re just a teenager!”) So by the time I was finally an adult (18 or 21 years, depending on the state you live in - and the State of Insanity doesn’t count), I’d heard it so many times I thought it was my middle name!
As a child in grade school, I used to play imaginary games of space exploration and adventure. My friends, when they discovered that, used to tell me, “You can’t do that! Nobody goes to space!” ‘Course, in 1961, Yuri Gagarin proved them all wrong.
I also made little toy models of moon rockets, lunar exploration vehicles, and habitats because I wanted to go live on the moon. My friends said, “You can’t do that! Nobody goes to the moon!” But in 1969, somebody did.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. The process of growing up necessitates the testing our environment, searching for boundaries. Hey, we all did it.
But sometimes I think all those can’t’s (?), if there’s enough of ‘em, eventually get to the point where they solidify in our brains like - well, like those little particles of sediment in the ocean. Given time, they make their way into the deepest, darkest places, piling thicker and thicker; turning into a thick layer of goo that eventually solidifies into rock-hardness for time immemorial.
So I guess it’s only natural for you to hear the word can’t when it comes to doing something outside of your normal experience. I mean, it’s what you’ve heard all your life, right?
Allow me to introduce you to Team Hoyt.
We heard Dick Hoyt speak for the first time at our Ignite (Eek! He mentioned it again!) convention last weekend. During his talk, they showed their DVD “It’s only a Mountain”, and I’m tellin’ ya; it was absolutely riveting!
Dick’s son Rick was severely handicapped due to an accident at birth, and he’s pretty much confined to a wheelchair for life. Now, I’ll bet here’s a couple of guys who’ve heard the word can’t all their lives! But, amazingly enough, it hasn’t stopped them from making an impact on the world.
Together, these guys have participated in, let’s see - at last count it was 938 track & field events, including (among a host of other events):
- 65 marathons, including 25 Boston Marathons
- 224 Triathalons
- Biked/ran across the U.S. (3,745 miles in 45 consecutive days)
In addition to that, they now travel the world, creating awareness of the issues the disabled face every day, while actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.
Rick communicates with the world through a special computer interface that prints his thoughts on the screen. It’s slow, of course, but it reveals an uncommonly sharp mind, hidden inside the misshapen body.
The video ended with a few of Rick’s computer-generated words summing up his experiences. In the foreground, you can see his computer screen displaying the letter “C”. As he continues to talk, the letter “A” appears. Finally, the last letter becomes visible:
C…. A…. N….
I couldn’t have said it better!
(top photo: Absolutely Nothing is Allowed here, by Vickie and Chuck Rogers - Best Friends)
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16 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee and exchange ideas, big or small, with applications in the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Isn’t it odd how that word can sometimes get a hold of you and not let go. I’ve been struggling with it lately, too. I want to get into freelance writing, but I have been fighting my “can’t” a lot in the last couple of days. I am someone who HATES that word because I have a daughter with Down syndrome and don’t want people using it on her. I keep reprimanding myself for subjecting myself to the work, but I can’t (there it is again) seem to stop.
Deb, I know exactly how you feel! Trust me when I say this: you’re not alone!
But here’s where your support system can help you overcome old habits, and help you build new ones. Remember; when you get right down to it, it’s only one decision at a time.
By the way, if your support system (i.e. your friends, mentors, etc.) aren’t helping you - maybe you need new ones!
We all need to surround ourselves with CAN people if we want to make a difference in he world.
Its not just a positive speak thing—CAN people see possibilities where Can’t people see road blocks.
Your site is on my CAN list.
sorry –i meant to type “in this world”—I can learn to type
Thanks, Mike! What an honor!
You’re absolutely right! We want to personally surround ourselves with as many “CAN” folks as possible - for inspiration, for support, for encouragement… Whoof! I think I need to go run around the block now!
I saw a story on these two a while back and they are seriously inspiring!! We all need to take a lessor or two from them.
Lucky are those, who have a support team.
Too bad when “can’t” people surround you from early on and by their good intentions (and in many instances narrow vision) weaken or paralyze your will. Adults are notorious in stalling the progress of chidren by stiffling their creative nature and dismissing their questions or pleadings for changes.
By trying to please and be good, children learn to bend, they loose a free spirit needed to succeed. Viva the Hoyt team!
You might have seen this–but it seemed apropos
http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds/2008/02/19/motivational-moments-gone-by/
@Char - When the video finished, a spontaneous standing ovation erupted in the stadium! Amazing people! Kinda makes my pitiful “I’m a bit tired today” seem pretty sad…
@Lana - You’re right, and it’s something parents need to be watchful of.
@Mike - Yes, I did see that, and it brought back a few nostalgic moments for me, too. Kudos to parents who understand the need to teach their kids some VALUES that count for life!
I blogged about Rick and Dick too, in 2006 — http://chenpn.com/2006/12/03/worlds-greatest-dad/
Have you also seen the video clip? Here it is, but do get lots of Kleenex ready — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE
Thanks, Pelf! I’m tellin’ ya, there wasn’t a dry eye in that place in Dallas, either!
Thanks for the clip!
I get the daily Google feed of articles on wheelchair travel and disabled travel. Almost all of it is about problems people are having. I enjoy my wheelchair. Everything that I write on the Internet is positive. My Blog, E-books, and videos are about the things you can do to enjoy life now. My blog is at wheelchair traveler.com.
Don, the Wheelchair Traveler
Interesting site, Don. How about filling out the About page for us so we can know more, er, about you?
Thanks for dropping by the Zone!
Wow, Robert, what a fantastic post!
When I was in sixth grade, my teacher, Mr. Quin, who later became the principal of the school I attended, would never allow his students to say “I can’t” in his classroom. He was strict but fair, and he made us feel as if each of us was special and could do whatever we wanted to do if we tried hard enough. As strict as he was, his students loved him, because he cared. It’s so important to give the word “can” a prominent place in our thoughts and our vocabularies–and banish the word “can’t” from both!
Thanks for reminding me of a teacher who had a real impact on my life!
Jeanne
Hey, you’re welcome, Jeanne! Isn’t it amazing, the lifelong impact a great and memorable teacher can have on our lives? I mean, here we are, (mumblemumble) years old now, and we can still remember them. Now that’s impact!
Amen to that, brother!
Jeanne