Ispectrum Magazine Ispectrum Magazine #06 | Page 28

them, and present an outward picture to those who don’t know him that there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. A huge amount of conscious effort is required for every movement but I am sure that for Waterman it is worth it. His amazing story not only demonstrates courage in the face of extreme adversity but also how adaptive the mind and body can be, with Waterman developing an entirely new way of using his nervous system. Often we can see people who have crippling injuries on the news or television, such as losing a limb or mental faculties, 27 and we may pause to think how we would cope if that injury befell us. Usually, however, this brief moment of contemplation passes and we move on with our daily lives. But having read Ian Waterman’s story, can any of us really consider being in his position? Would we have the determination to tirelessly fight on and on, or would we slump onto the bed, cursing how unfair life is and accept that we will never move our body again?