How to Heal a Broken Body and a Broken Spirit | Janine Shepherd | Goalcast

Summary

The speaker recounts their journey from being wheelchair-bound after a spinal injury to becoming a pilot. Despite initial despair, a transformative moment watching an airplane inspired them to pursue flying. With determination, they overcame physical challenges, passed medical exams, and obtained various pilot licenses. They eventually became an instructor, teaching others to fly. The narrative emphasizes the power of letting go of past identities to embrace new possibilities and the resilience of the human spirit.

Takeaways

• 🦽 'After almost six months, it was time to leave the spinal ward.' - The speaker had to leave the spinal ward after a significant period of time.
• 🏃‍♂️ 'I wanted my life back. I wanted to put my running shoes on, and run out the door, but I couldn't.' - The speaker yearned to regain their mobility and previous lifestyle.
• 🚁 'If I can't walk, then I might as well fly.' - A moment of inspiration led the speaker to consider flying as an alternative to walking.
• 👨‍✈️ 'I'm here for my flying lesson.' - The speaker began taking flying lessons despite their physical limitations.
• 🌏 'They lifted me up into the aircraft.' - Assistance was required for the speaker to participate in the flying experience.
• 🛫 'As the wheels lifted off the runway, I felt the most incredible sense of freedom.' - The act of flying provided the speaker with a profound sense of liberation.
• 📚 'I went on with my theories study.' - The speaker continued their education and preparation to become a pilot.
• 🎓 'I passed my pilot's medical.' - Despite initial doubts, the speaker was able to meet the medical requirements to become a pilot.
• ✈️ 'I got my commercial pilot's license.' - The speaker achieved multiple pilot certifications, including a commercial license.
• 👨‍🏫 'I found myself teaching other people how to fly.' - The speaker transitioned from learning to teaching others, sharing their knowledge and passion for flying.
• 💪 'My real strength never came from my body.' - The speaker emphasizes that inner strength and spirit are more significant than physical capabilities.

Q & A

What was the speaker's condition after leaving the spinal ward?

The speaker had no feeling from the waist down after leaving the spinal ward.

What was the turning point for the speaker that changed their perspective on life?

The turning point was when an airplane flew over the speaker's house, prompting them to shift from asking 'Why me?' to 'Why not me?'

How did the speaker's family and friends support them in their desire to fly?

The speaker's mom and friend Chris bought them baggy overalls and drove them to Bench Town Airport for their first flying lesson.

What was the speaker's initial experience like when they first attempted to fly?

The speaker's initial experience was exhilarating, as they felt an incredible sense of freedom when the airplane lifted off the runway.

What was the speaker's reaction when they were asked to take the controls of the airplane?

The speaker was excited and complied, taking the controls and heading towards the mountains, which marked the beginning of their journey to becoming a pilot.

How did the speaker's physical condition affect their ability to walk and pursue their pilot dreams?

The speaker had to practice walking extensively, going from needing two people to hold them up to walking with the aid of furniture around the house.

What was the sequence of licenses and ratings the speaker obtained on their path to becoming an instructor?

The speaker obtained their private pilot's license, then an unrestricted private pilot's license, followed by an instrument rating, a commercial pilot's license, and finally an instructor rating.

How long did it take for the speaker to go from leaving the spinal ward to becoming an instructor?

It took just over 12 months for the speaker to transition from leaving the spinal ward to teaching others how to fly at the same school where they had their first flight.

What lesson did the speaker learn about the human spirit from their experience?

The speaker learned that their real strength did not come from their body, but from the defiant human spirit, which remains steadfast and cannot be lost in life.

What message does the speaker convey about the importance of self-improvement in the context of building a better world?

The speaker emphasizes that building a better world starts with building a better self, suggesting that individual growth and change can contribute to a larger, positive impact on the world.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Overcoming Adversity to Soar as a Pilot

The speaker recounts their journey from being wheelchair-bound after a spinal injury to becoming a pilot. Initially unable to walk, they found inspiration in the flight of an airplane overhead and decided to pursue flying. With the support of their mother and friend Chris, they began flying lessons at Bench Town Airport. Despite initial skepticism from the staff, they were paired with an instructor named Andrew who helped them take to the skies. The exhilaration of flight solidified their resolve to become a pilot. Through determination and practice, they regained mobility and passed a medical examination, eventually earning various pilot licenses. The speaker concludes by sharing their transformation from a patient to an instructor, emphasizing the indomitable human spirit that transcends physical limitations.

05:07

🌟 Building a Better World Starts with Self-Improvement

In the second paragraph, the speaker introduces a poem that reflects on the question of how to contribute to a better world. The poem's dialogue between the speaker and a voice of guidance suggests that the world can seem cold, dark, and complex, making individuals feel small and powerless. The voice encourages the speaker to focus on self-improvement as a means to build a better world. The message is that personal growth and positive change can have a ripple effect, inspiring others and contributing to a broader societal transformation. The inspirational music that accompanies the poem underscores the uplifting and motivational nature of the message.

Keywords

💡Spinal ward

A 'spinal ward' refers to a specialized hospital unit dedicated to the care of patients with spinal cord injuries or disorders. In the context of the video, the speaker was in a spinal ward for treatment, indicating a severe health condition that left them without feeling from the waist down. This setting is crucial as it marks the beginning of the speaker's journey towards overcoming physical limitations and rediscovering their sense of freedom.

💡Freedom

Freedom, in this video, symbolizes the liberation from physical constraints and the mental barriers that limit one's potential. The speaker experiences a profound sense of freedom when they first fly, which is a turning point in their narrative. It's not just the physical act of flying but also a metaphor for the emotional and psychological liberation they seek after a life-altering injury.

💡Flying lesson

A 'flying lesson' is a training session where one learns to operate an aircraft. In the video, the speaker's first flying lesson is a pivotal moment that shifts their perspective from being confined to a wheelchair to aspiring to become a pilot. This experience is transformative, as it introduces the idea that despite physical limitations, one can still achieve great heights.

💡Pilot's medical

The 'pilot's medical' is a health examination required for obtaining a pilot's license, ensuring the individual is physically fit to fly. For the speaker, passing the pilot's medical is a significant achievement, as it validates their capability to pursue their newfound passion for flying despite their physical condition. It underscores the theme of overcoming adversity.

💡Private pilot's license

A 'private pilot's license' allows an individual to fly aircraft privately, without the need for commercial purposes. In the video, obtaining this license is a milestone for the speaker, marking their progression from a person with a disability to a licensed pilot. It represents the tangible result of their determination and hard work.

💡Instrument rating

An 'instrument rating' is a higher level of certification that allows pilots to fly solely by reference to instruments, which is essential for flying in poor visibility conditions. The speaker's acquisition of an instrument rating demonstrates their commitment to mastering their craft and expanding their capabilities as a pilot, reinforcing the video's message of pushing beyond perceived limits.

💡Commercial pilot's license

A 'commercial pilot's license' permits the holder to fly aircraft for compensation or hire. The speaker's attainment of this license is a significant step in their journey, indicating not only their proficiency as a pilot but also their ability to turn their passion into a profession. It exemplifies the video's overarching theme of reinventing oneself.

💡Instructor rating

An 'instructor rating' authorizes a pilot to teach and train other pilots. The speaker's achievement of this rating is a testament to their expertise and their transition from a student to a teacher. It highlights the video's message of empowerment and the idea that one's experiences can inspire and guide others.

💡Defiant human spirit

The 'defiant human spirit' refers to the indomitable will and resilience of humans to overcome challenges and adversity. The speaker emphasizes that their true strength comes from this spirit, not from physical abilities. This concept is central to the video's narrative, suggesting that inner strength and determination are the keys to overcoming life's obstacles.

💡Building a better you

The phrase 'building a better you' from the poem mentioned in the video script suggests self-improvement and personal growth. It aligns with the speaker's journey of transformation, where they didn't just accept their situation but actively worked to create a new, better version of themselves. This concept encapsulates the video's theme of self-empowerment and the potential for change.

Highlights

The individual's determination to regain their life after being paralyzed from the waist down.

The transformative moment when the person stops asking 'Why me?' and starts asking 'Why not me?'

The decision to pursue flying as a new passion despite physical limitations.

The emotional experience of feeling freedom while flying for the first time.

The physical progress from being completely dependent to walking with support.

Passing the pilot's medical examination against all odds.

Achieving the private pilot's license after overcoming significant challenges.

The journey of learning to navigate and earning an unrestricted private pilot's license.

Mastering flying in all weather conditions and earning an instrument rating.

Obtaining a commercial pilot's license as a significant milestone.

Earning an instructor rating and beginning to teach others how to fly.

The realization that true strength comes from within, not from physical abilities.

The profound understanding that one's identity is not defined by their physical body.

The inspirational message that we are not limited by our bodies, but by our mindset.

The poem's suggestion to build a better world by starting with self-improvement.

The call to action for individuals to embrace their potential and create new possibilities for their lives.

Transcripts

(melodic music)

- After almost six months,

it was time to leave the spinal ward.

I had no feeling from the waist down.

I wanted my life back.

I wanted to put my running shoes on

and run out the door, but I couldn't.

At home, sitting outside in my plaster body cast,

an airplane flew over my house,

and in that moment,

my eyes and my mind were opened.

I stopped asking, "Why me?"

I began to ask, "Why not me?"

I looked up and I thought, well that's it.

If I can't walk, then I might as well fly.

(audience applauding)

So, weeks later my mom and my friend Chris

had bought me a pair of baggy overalls,

and they drove me to the local airport,

Bench Town Airport, and they carried me in.

I held onto the counter,

because I couldn't even stand on my own.

I said, "I'm here for my flying lesson,"

and they ran out the back to draw short straws.

Oh my God, and this guy came out, Andrew.

He said, "Hi, I'm going to take you flying."

I said, "Great." So they put me in the car

and they drove me down to the tarmac.

There, on the tarmac, was a red, white, and blue airplane.

I had never seen anything so beautiful before.

They lifted me up into the aircraft.

They put me in the front seat.

They did my seatbelt up.

He got a clearance from the tower,

and he took off down the runway.

As the wheels lifted off the runway,

I felt the most incredible sense of freedom.

And then, as we flew over the training area

of Bench Town Airport,

Andrew said to me, he said,

"Right, you see those mountains over there?"

I said, "Yes," as I looked towards

the Blue Mountains west of Sydney,

where my journey had begun.

He said, "You take the controls,

"and you head towards those mountains."

I did.

I was flying.

I knew right then that I was gonna be a pilot.

I didn't know how on earth I'd ever pass a medical,

but that didn't matter because

I practiced my walking as much as I could,

and I went from the point of two people holding me up

to one person holding me up,

to the point where I could walk

around the house holding on to the furniture

as long as it wasn't too far apart.

So, while the doctors continued

to put my body back together again,

I went on with my theories study.

Then, amazingly, eventually,

I passed my pilot's medical.

Eventually, I learned to fly.

I went for my first solo,

and I got my private pilot's license.

And then, I learned to navigate.

I flew around Australia,

and I got my unrestricted private pilot's license.

And then, I learned to fly in bad weather

as well as fine weather,

and I got my instrument rating.

And then, I got my commercial pilot's license.

And then, I got my instructor rating.

And then, I found myself at that same school

where I'd gone for that very first flight,

teaching other people how to fly.

(audience applauding)

In just over 12 months after I'd left the spinal ward.

(audience applauding)

I now know that it wasn't 'til I let go

of who I thought I was

that I had the freedom to create

something completely new for my life.

It wasn't 'til I let go of the life

I thought I was supposed to have,

that I'd worked so hard for,

that I was able to embrace the

possibilities that waited for me.

I now know that my real strength

never came from my body,

unlike anything you could lose in life,

the defiant human spirit remains steadfast.

And of this, I'm certain.

I am not my body.

And you, my dear friends, are not yours.

It's a daunting task,

and you might well ask,

"Where do I begin?

"Where do I start?"

Well, perhaps the simple words of this poem

might offer a clue.

He said to build a better world.

I said I would, but how?

The world is such a cold dark place,

and complicated now,

for I am small and helpless.

There's nothing I can do.

He said, of course there is,

just build a better you.

(inspirational music)