Above: Chris Waddell climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2009 (photo from Facebook)
The Metrowest Daily News was on hand last Thursday when Paralympian Chris Waddell visited Neary School to share his compelling story. The visit was sponsored by Fay School where Waddell hosted a screening of his documentary One Revolution later that day.
In 1988, then 20-year-old Chris Waddell was a star skier for Middlebury College in Vermont, and, in his words, his nametag would read “cool.”
But then, on a ski trip with his brother the first day of Christmas vacation, one of Waddell’s skis popped up during a turn and he went down. The fall broke two vertebrae in his back, paralyzing him from the waist down.
Most would see paralysis as a limiting factor, something that precludes one from being “normal.” But as the 12-time U.S. Paralympic medalist told the students of Neary Elementary School yesterday, the only limitations anyone has are self-imposed.
Put differently, a person fashions his own nametag.
You can read more about Waddell’s inspiring message in this article by the MWDN.
If you did not take advantage of the September screening of Chris Waddell’s documentary… Please do not miss the October screening at Fay. Chris was a student at Deerfield when my little brother was there…my bro remembers him … Larger than life, kind, charismatic, amazing athlete. His accident during a break from Middlebury did not dampen his spirit… He is an inspiration that is truly unparalleled! Do not miss the chance to bring your kids to Fay in early October to see his kilimanjaro victory and hear his message!