Don't think about what you can do--think about what you want to do. And start trying to do it.
This is Jason Pipoly's philosophy, and he lives by it. For over three years, Jason trained three hours a day, six days a week, to become the first paraplegic person to swim the Catalina Channel--21 miles from Los Angeles Harbor, California, to Catalina Island. And on September 4, he achieved his goal.
Paralyzed as a result of a car accident in 1998, Pipoly, 32, refused to let this setback derail his dreams. The San Antonio, Texas, resident has long been an ardent swimmer. In 1982, Jason at age 11 became the youngest person to attempt to swim the English Channel, a 21-mile course between England and France. He fell just four miles short after swimming 17 miles in rough, whitecap water for eight hours.
Jason faced formidable odds in his Catalina challenge. Strong currents, rough waves, and freezing cold water greeted him as he got underway. Rules forbid the use of a wet suit, so cold was a problem. Paralyzed at the T-8 level, Jason can't move his trunk and head from side to side, so he uses his powerful arms to propel himself through the water.
Things improved when Jason hit warmer water, although strong waves and wind continued their attack. Cheering him on were the boat crew, including his sister Gina and Hanger Orthotics Director Kaia Halvorson, CPO, LPO.
Staying hydrated enough was a problem, Jason said. "It was hard to give me enough fluids. Toward the end that started taking its toll." The longer-than-expected swim took 18 hours. Around 3 AM, as Jason continued thrusting through the dark water and the boat crew dozed, a pod of dolphins joined the swimmer for about an hour, lightening his spirits at the amazing sight.
Although strong currents forced him to abandon the return trip after about six hours, Jason is happy about his feat, and he hopes that his accomplishment will inspire others to go beyond their perceived limitations.
"Challenges are often a matter of our perception," he said. "If we stop perceiving them as challenges and see them as something necessary to achieve our goals, they will be easier to overcome, and we can reach our potential." He gives the example of swimming: "It might be hard to do in the beginning, but if you do it each day, after a while you're not going to perceive it as being hard. You're going to perceive it as being normal."
When back on land, Jason has hugely been enjoying his Fillauer reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, his sponsor. "I can't say enough good about it!" he exclaimed. "It stretches my muscles more, makes my bones stronger, and helps me physically in a lot of other ways. It also has been a tremendous boost psychologically to be able to stand up, walk around, and look people in the eye. I don't think RGOs are promoted enough."
What is Jason planning for the future? "I'm looking at maybe trying to qualify for the open swimming event in the Paralympics in Greece," he said. "I need to see how the times are, how I compare with other swimmers. And there are also several other swims I'd like to compete in."
Jason Pipoly has certainly achieved an impressive "first" with his Catalina triumph--which likely will not be his last!
