Aimee Mullins
One of the best talks I saw at TED was by Aimee Mullins.
She was wearing a skirt, but it took a couple minutes before I realized that her legs were artificial. Both of her legs were amputated below the knee when she was one year old.
Aimee told two stories:
Recently she was speaking at a grade school, and before she walked in, she overheard the teacher tell the kids, “Make sure you don’t look at her legs! It’s rude.”
So she started her talk by having all the kids gather around to feel her legs, and ask anything.
Later she asked the class, “If I wanted to jump over a house, what kind of legs would I need?” The kids brainstormed springs and kangaroos, before one kid asked, “Why would you only jump over a house? Why not a skyscraper?”
She loved that their perception of her was as a superwoman, not a disabled woman.
Later, she was out to dinner with friends wearing a new pair of legs.
Her friend said, “Why are you so tall today?”
She said, “New legs. I’m six-foot-one in these.”
Her friend, with no irony, said, “But... that’s not fair!”
I love it. Even among friends, she’s seen as having an unfair advantage.
It makes me wonder what things you call a handicap could also be seen as an advantage.
It seems her advantage is her choice of attitude.
Inspiring! Thanks.
Thank you for sharing, Derek.
I heard about Aimee for the first time today. Watched many clips on u-tube.
Very inspiring.
There are no excuses for being the best version one can become.
Du you have a link to a video of her talk at TED?
I only found one from 1989.
Derek, your most recent blogs are further proof that ANYTHING can be an advantage, so long as you make yourself aware of the opportunity when it is presented. Thanks!
Her newest TED talk isn't online yet. When it is, some day, I'll definitely link to it here.
Hi Derek,
I totally relate to this story since my wife has one artificial leg and she amazes me everyday by her mental strength and the way she deals with her disability. She has some funny stories too and she opened my eyes.
By the way, Aimee's video is available on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG5X31CDg_g
Cool, yah I had fun dancing with her at TED a few years ago ;)
Ela é linda e sua história é linda de se ouvir, ver e passar para os outros. Ela é realmente super,impressionante! Ao contrário de tantas pessoas que ficam fragilizadas e acham que o mundo acabou para elas, ela vive uma vida extremamente normal e ativa, nada a impede de fazer o que gosta e o que quer. É um exemplo de garra, força,superação e sucesso.Ela fez de sua característica física uma vantagem. porque os obstáculos que temos ou pensamos que temos na vida não é o corpo que os cria, e sim a mente.
cette femme est incroyable.
j'ai était amputée il y a 2 semaines et elle ma redonné le sourir . Elle a tellement de force !
vous avez un e-mail pour lui parlé ?
I also loved this ted and I admire her courage and of the rest people that are in the same situaction.
This is my favourite ted.
www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics?language=en
I also loved this ted and I admire her courage and of the rest people that are in the same situaction.
This is my favourite ted.
www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics?language=en
It was educator and founder of the Outward Bound schools, Kurt Hahn, who said "In your disability lies your opportunity."