04/26/24
June 14, 2010
Wheelchair Athlete Excels at 'Hardcore Sitting': Aaron Fotheringham practices Hardcore Sitting. Indestructible wheelchair by Colours in Motion. Previously, previously (after a manner of speaking). Aaron's motto on MySpace: "Pain is temporary. Glory is forever" (via MetaFilter).
Somehow I don't see the glory in getting killed in your wheelchair attempting extreme sports moves.
posted by irunfromclones at 12:23 AM on June 15, 2010
Good for him, and his parents. Every extreme athlete "could be killed out there in search of this "glory". " He shouldn't be refused his search for glory just because he's handicapped. If he wants it, he should chase it.
posted by bobfoot at 01:02 AM on June 15, 2010
Yes, but do you believe the same for sailors?
I AM HUNTING HYPOCRITES.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:06 PM on June 15, 2010
Yeah, Weedy, I do believe the same for sailors. And I'm in a wheelchair. Hunt elsewhere.
posted by bobfoot at 01:16 AM on June 16, 2010
Not you bob, everyone on the sailor thread who thinks those parents should be arrested for putting their child in terrible danger. I think those people should also demand the same for these parents, and if they aren't, well then they're all full of shit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:39 PM on June 16, 2010
I AM HUNTING HYPOCRITES TROLLING FOR A PISSING CONTEST.
Fixed that up for you. Good luck.
posted by tahoemoj at 11:27 AM on June 17, 2010
I think those people should also demand the same for these parents, and if they aren't, well then they're all full of shit.
This guy is 18 years old at this point and the stunts he performs are no more dangerous than most skateboarding. Your comparison is full of shit.
posted by rcade at 04:59 PM on June 17, 2010
This guy was 14 when he started. Two years younger than little Miss Atlantic Ocean. Why is it ok for his parents to support and encourage such behaviour? This is an acceptable level of risk?
Who gets to decide?
Why is it so cut-and-dried for Miss Wind-in-her-hair, and so obviously different here? Both involve a young person, and in this case - doing something that's never been done before and involves physical risk? Hey, at least someone could teach the young lady how to sail.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:31 PM on June 17, 2010
If you don't see the difference in risk between being a skateboarder and sailing alone 48 hours from any rescuers in some of the world's most dangerous ocean, I don't know what to tell you.
The builder of her boat said that she didn't have enough experience to make the trip. An experienced adult yachtsman who has circled the globe said it was foolhardy for her to be in the southern Indian Ocean in the middle of winter. Her dad was broke and inked a reality TV deal before this stunt. The state of Australia is paying $200,000 to rescue her because her folks didn't put a team in the water to follow her around.
How many alarm bells have to go off for you to acknowledge it might, just might, have been a reckless decision to put her out there?
There are probably examples of extreme youth sport where you could hammer the point you're making and get some traction. How old are some of those X Games competitors with the massively crazy ramps?
But this comparison is completely asinine. He does some acrobatics in a light wheelchair. Wearing a helmet. It's not even close to the risk that Miss Nearly Died for TV undertook.
posted by rcade at 07:03 PM on June 17, 2010
I think his parents should be arrested. He could be killed out there in search of this "glory".
Great links, though. Go kill 'em all kid.