I believe in western society we tell stories like Natalie's, or Rachael Scdoris', because they are inspiring stories of triumph. I cannot argue with these stories as inspirational, yet I believe they create a separation between people who are "disabled"and those that are "able bodied." I know that Natalie was the 16th best open water female swimmer in the world, that separates her greater then her amputation.
As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I feel these stories are similar to the how many share Jesus. Most people seem to think, even in the church, that Jesus' Resurrection was only a spiritual one, therefore, they go as far to imagine heaven a place where wheelchairs, crutches, and disabilities are erased. This triumphant Christ upholds a prosperity Gospel and not liberation, and not even liberation from physical death.
We need to look closely at Jesus' humanity. He came as a helpless infant which we understand even though he was fully divine, but we then see his resurection as purely being fully God. His humanity seems to be left at the cross, yet Jesus is fully human and fully divine at all times, thus his resurection must be fully human, as well. So let us remember that the Gospel writers wrote that he entered the locked room with his scars. Thomas would not believe unless he touched those scars. Jesus could have wiped away his physical scars when defeating death. He did not and thus we should not see life for perfect bodies or only wory about our spirtual life. We live not in but as a human body, and it is Jesus' Resurection that promotes this reality. "Our bodies participate in the imago Dei, not in spite of our impairments and contingencies but through them" as Nancy Eiesland states.
Thus when Natalie states she is not happy, her triumph is knowing herself as whole. In Christianity, to know yourself as whole is to participate in the image of God which is the triumph that will come and yet we know now. The triumph over a disabilty stories we share actually separate people. God wants to bring people together, and even though it is a positive and wonderful sentiment to highlight these stories it only demonstrates to those who have a "disability" that they have to be better then most to be considered whole or at least special. Of course we will highlight what does seem remarkable but I hope we can keep Jesus' scars in mind and/or Natalie's satement, and not Larisa's statement " "I'd even go so far as to award [Natalie] a separate medal, I have enormous respect for her. It is exceedingly hard. Just looking at these people inspires you." (AP Press). She may have meant well, but she highlights what we all do, we become inspired because "these people" have surpassed our own talents.
I am however inspired by Natalie's unhappiness, and I will cheer for her in 2012.
