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Posted on 06/11/2009 8:33:56 PM PDT by radar101
Iraq veteran British Army Major Phil Packer, who was told he would never walk again after he suffered a severe spinal injury in a rocket attack in Iraq, clings to the side of the 1,800ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California, United States. (PA)
London Marathon competitor British soldier Major Phil Packer, centre left, who lost the use of his legs during an attack in Basra, Iraq, as he complet - Saturday May 9, 05:01 PM es the Marathon in the Mall, London, Saturday May, 9, 2009, nearly two weeks after he started the event.
God Bless this Hero!
There is one very determined soldier. I wouldn’t try it, and both my legs work fine.
Amazing, simply amazing.
Thank you Major Phil Packer for visiting America and good luck to you, sir!
Having looked up at the face of El Capitan from the floor of the Yosemite Valley, I can tell you that this is a feat of unimaginable bravery. Even with four working limbs.
I salute you, soldier!
This rather begs the question as to whether he would have gone up El Capitan before he had a spinal injury. I’m sure I wouldn’t have done it before mine.
Interestingly, one of the problems with folks that have extremely painful conditions (spinal injuries), is that they tend to take on high risk behaviors. It wasn’t immediately obvious to me why that would be. After reading that folks with my condition have about 13 years shaved off their life, I asked my neurorlogist how that could be. I mean, how could it make any difference if most of the problem was moderate to severe pain?
The response was interesting. Apparently, folks with severe back problems do not “back off” and take it easy. Many take on high risk behaviors, motorcycles, booze, drugs, etc. I thanked him for the help and told him I wouldn’t be taking on any more bad habits than I already have.
He smiled, “In that case, we can lift the 13 year penalty”.
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