Fooling Yourself

While the song isn't played in the course of the book, the album is referenced. I just realized that a few lyrics are ironic in context of the plot.

Unrelated, but of interest, here's my 2006 interview with (now) out gay former bass player Chuck Panazzo, who now sometimes tours with the re-formed version of the band. He was also one of celebrity ambassadors at Gay Games VII in Chicago. It was so neat to meet him there.

Oh, and the day I posted this, I noticed that there was a ticket sales link on YouYube for their concert in Concord tonight. As I type this, they're probably playing this song.

Personally, Styx was one of those amazing '70s bands that inspired me to learn to play the piano. But that's another novel!

'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky

"A quadriplegic skydiver died in a tragic weekend accident when his disability prevented him from manually deploying his parachute. His emergency chute was also not set to automatically release, said officials on Monday.

Zack Fogle, 27, plunged 18,000 feet to his death on Saturday when his parachute did not open during a jump at a skydiving festival in northwestern Montana. Fogle, who had completed more than 125 jumps in the past five years." (read more)

Several news stories covered the tragedy here and elsewhere. Ability News combines links to several articles.

(Zach Fogle after a previous successful jump)

Why is this getting so much coverage? Is it because he was handsome? Yes. A quadriplegic? Yes. The angle is easy when non-disabled writers feel the need to justify or even judge Fogle's adventurous daredevil life.

One column stands out on The Stir. From writer Jeanne Sager:

"It could be inferred by the massive amount of media attention to Fogle's story that his handicapped status somehow made this tragedy different. It's certainly an interesting bit of information. The journalist in me admits it couldn't have been left out. When I read Fogle was unable to reach his emergency cord in time, I'll admit curiosity made me wonder, 'Did his lack of mobility play a role here?'"

"Zach Fogle decided he wanted to be a skydiver. He made that choice. It's very sad that he died while doing it. But he didn't die because he's a quadriplegic. He died because he's a guy who wanted to try a risky sport."

It's not just sad that a man who defied limitations died doing what he loved, and knew how to do expertly. It's sad that most people with no disabilities suffer from not living their lives to the fullest.

Fogle's motto was "Live to the point of tears."

Mat-ter of Fact

Okay, this is just neat as all get out.

It's like PINS and Every Time I Think of You had a baby boy.

Here's prolific photographer Matt Roth's photo essay about Cliff McCormick, Towson High school's 103-pound wrestler with cerebral palsy.

Here's an article from 2009 about McCormick.

a quote:

“He is the reason we have sports in our public schools,” [physical education teacher, Bill] Yosca said. “Sports teach more than textbooks – they teach about life.” Simmonds emphasizes dedication and “a willingness to get in there and do it” as a few of the important lessons that Cliff has learned.

Here's a brief clip of Cliff being awarded a pin at a match.

Roll Models

I spent a lot of time considering the media representation, or over-representation of the "alpha crip." This isn't considered a derogatory term, and it's one I've read used in articles about high-achieving disabled athletes.

This web page includes brief bios of "roll models," men and women who have overcome a lot of obstacles, literally, to become their best selves. Among them is the amazing Rick Hansen of Vancouver, Canada, who wheeled 25,000 miles around the world in 1985 in a stunning two-year marathon through 34 countries. Hansen's Institute and PR efforts on behalf of spinal cord research have expanded the possibilities and public image of wheelchair users, specifically in athletics.

While the reality is that the majority of disabled people are economically underprivileged and not athletic, I took into account that Everett was a high-achieving athlete and scholar before we meet him in Every Time I Think of You. Reasonably, despite his bouts of self-doubt, anger and depression, he does come to regain much of his energy and interest in athletics, albeit in a different sport. Hopefully, he can be seen as a "roll model," even if he is a fictional one.