Being inspired by someone is a fascinating phenomenon. It might take quite a bit of time to realize that a certain person has changed your outlook on the world. One of the beauties of snowboarding, is that there are many inspiring characters to learn from. Whether it is through their influencing style, skill-level, personality or usually a combination of these characteristics.
Bibian Mentel certainly has combination of all those characteristics. Her contribution to Para- snowboarding has been enormous - she actually put it on the map! A few years ago I followed her run up to the Paralympics in Sochi for a school assignment. She is truly inspiring in many ways. I don’t think I have ever met someone with an equal amount of passion, love and appreciation for our so-called sport.
One of the things I observed was the great mentality that all athletes in the Paralympic snowboard team had. They all seemed very upbeat and stoked about life. It crossed my mind that everyone in that team seemed more appreciative, happy and motivated than I had ever been in my life at the time. To tell you the truth - I felt a bit spoiled. Perhaps because I actually was and probably am.
The main thing that I learned from hanging out with the Dutch Paralympic snowboard team is the possibility for humans to smile in the face of adversity. People that have gone through a lot and have come out the other end with a smile are exactly the people that have created the strongest personalities. I also think that Bibian’s enthusiasm had something to do with the great overall spirit in the group – she is a true leader.
The list of adversity that Bibian has faced is enough for multiple life-times. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose my leg to cancer - and then having the disease return multiple times in my life. Bibian knows this all too well. Not long ago she was fighting for her life. On the bright-side, this continuous battle for survival has made her one tough cookie. This recently became apparent once again after winning TWO GOLD MEDALS in the still ongoing Paralympics. What an incredible achievement!
Life can be brutal, chaotic and far from pleasant at times. What we have to realize is that those moments are also an opportunity to show our true self. This is why Bibian is so inspiring. The ripples of positivism that she sends out is exactly what we need in the world. Congratulations to Bibian and the whole Dutch Paralympic team for your performance. You guys are true legends!
Swifty
Darren Swift was working in an arms explosives search team in Belfast, Northern Ireland when the IRA dropped a ‘Coffee jar’ bomb – a homemade Grenade - on him in May 1991. Darren lost both of his legs and his teammate, Jordy, died that day.
After going through 18 months of rehab, he decided that he was going to continue to do what he was doing before the incident – except now without legs. Swifty wanted his dignity back. In the following years, he tried canoeing, hand cycling and eventually became the first skydiver (together with one of his mates) with no legs (above knee amputee).
Eventually, he got a bit bored of skydiving. One day, he found himself drinking some quality wine in the Italian mountains, when he saw some guys sending it down on snowboards. That’s what he wanted to do from now on!
Back home, him and his mate drew up something that looked ride-able – something that might work (this turned out to look nothing like the board he is riding today). Loads of people said that he wouldn’t be able to do it – ‘’you need knees to snowboard, you are not able to ride without knees.’’ But in his own words ‘’they said the same about skydiving so….bollocks’’.
It took 14 years to finally get to this current board design. A professional company got involved and added suspension as no knees means no suspension. The femur, pelvis and spine take up all the impact, that is why he is only doing small jumps and side hits. He also has to be a bit more route selective than most snowboarders. He broke two ribs on his first snowboarding trip – things didn’t come easy.
Swifty nearly made it to the last Paralympics but missed out by a small margin. He was doing well on some competitions and even managed to ‘beat’ people less disabled than himself. He would have liked to compete in the Paralympics, but feels that he might be getting to old now – he will be 56 for the next one and would rather see some younger people go. He appears to get a lot of energy out of coaching others these days.
As soon as I saw Swifty ride down with a giant smile, I knew I had to write up his story. It fascinates me that the people who endure the most adversity are usually some of the most upbeat people I come across. When you meet Swifty, you will understand what I mean. He doesn’t regret or resent life in the slightest. ‘Fate’ might have dealt him some interesting cards – but that’s no reason not to live. I feel that I can learn a lot from people like Swifty – he is a true inspiration.
It’s good to know that you’re out there man!