The powerful story of Robert M. Hensel caught our eye here at Failure Blog. His story is one that shows how failure can lead you to success.
Hensel was born with Spina bifida, which is a congenital disorder that can actually cause your spine to protrude from your back. Though the opening where the spine has extended outward can be surgically closed at birth, it doesn’t restore normal function to the affected area. Though he was born with this disorder, Hensel has pushed himself to succeed. He is the Guinness World Records holder for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair. The award winner has worked with his town, Oswego in New York, to bring to light the many accomplishments of people with disabilities. They have since proclaimed October 1st through the 7th of every year to be Beyond Limitations week.
A quote from the man himself is truly inspiring:
“Every failure is just another step closer to a win. Never stop trying.”
His story reflects that of another disabled individual we wrote about, the disabled soldier who changed the way we use maps. Like him, Hensel did not let his handicap stand in the way of his goals. Instead, he worked with the affliction to spread word about the challenges disabled persons face, and the achievements they accomplish. He has found his path to success beyond the hurdle of a disability.