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Does watching the Olympics inspire or depress you?
I always looked forward to watching the Olympics on TV – – until I was diagnosed with ALS. Suddenly I felt jealous of the athletes and angry that my body and muscles would become weak. I couldn’t bring myself to watch any of the events.
I’ve since changed my attitude and have a new perspective because I draw inspiration not from the medals they win, but from the many setbacks and challenges they faced along the way.
Does watching Olympic athletes inspire you or, not so much?
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9 Replies
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At the beginning depresed, but after, I change my mind thinking I can inspire others around me being positive, grateful with my caregivers, and say love more frecuetly. Now I enjoy the Olympics
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Bravo Roman!!!
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Neither.
Inspiration to do athletic things seems useless at this time, though I still have hope for something good coming from all the research happening.
Depression doesn’t come from watching the Olympics. I enjoy watching the sports that I’ve always enjoyed. Depression comes from the likely end of my ALS.
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Dave-Manley, what do you do to help keep yourself from dwelling on possibly dying from ALS? Do you have hobbies, favorite TV shows, or ??
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I always loved watching the Olympics. But at age 74 with rapidly degenerating limbs, I find that I no longer have the patience to just sit there and watch the advertising and dumb interviews thrown in with the sports. Thank goodness for streaming! Come to think of it.. I never “just” sat and watched before ALS either. I used to quilt by hand. Something else I’m no longer able to do.😢
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The worst part is watching the balance beam competition. That was “my piece” and although we didn’t do all the fancy acrobatics they do today, I was able to gracefully walk on the beam, turn, do pirouettes, arabesques, and hold my right leg out to the side without falling off. Now I can’t walk a straight line on the floor without help! Quite the change!!!😂
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I too was a former gymnast. That’s why watching the Olympics hit me so hard. But now, like you I’m wobbly when I walk – – now, I imagine I’m always doing a beam routine – – pretending not to fall. My walker with wheels is my personal set of parallel bars. Activities like getting dressed, putting on my AFOs, or hoisting myself into the van are my individual “events.” hahaha
I wrote a blog post about how my ALS clinic is an Olympic event. You might enjoy it.
https://alsandwellness.blogspot.com/2023/04/i-treat-my-als-clinic-like-olympic.html
alsandwellness.blogspot.com
I Treat My ALS Clinic Like an Olympic Challenge
ALS patient Dagmar Munn imagines her ALS clinic to be a mini-Olympic competition — a mind game that helps her cope with ALS.
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Thank you, Dagmar. That was interesting.😊
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Now that the Olympics are over, I’ve reflected on what the athletes inspired me to do…
1. Be in the moment… not thinking ahead to the next event. (gymnastics)
2. Show up with pizazz… (track & field)
3. Support each other… (all athletes & spectators)
🙂
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