Backed by the words he lives by, motivational speaker Chris Waddell speaks to Marshall Middle School students Wednesday about overcoming adversity. Item photo by Owen O’Rourke.
By Michele Durgin
LYNN — A respectful silence fell over the 1,000 people in the Marshall Middle School gym as Chris Waddell told the assembly that his mission in life is spreading a message he believes in.
“It’s not what happens to you,” said Waddell, 48. “It’s what you do with what happens to you. That’s my message to you today.”
Waddell said this stems from the lessons he learned after a life-changing ski accident in December 1988 left him paralyzed from the waist down. He called upon the audience to repeat his philosophy, loudly, throughout his presentation.
At the time of his accident, Waddell was a student and ski team member at Middlebury College in Vermont.
He returned to the school just two months after the accident and started monoskiing a few months after that. Within two years, Waddell was a member of the United States Disabled Ski Team and became the most decorated male monoskier in history, winning 12 medals in four Winter Paralympics. He was inducted into both the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Paralympics Hall of Fame.
“I had to decide whether I wanted to be a victim or a survivor. And I had to let go of things that tripped me up in the process,” he said. “It’s how you look at challenges you are faced with, and resilience is important.”
The charismatic speaker explained what he calls the four S’s of resilience and how they, along with the love of family and friends, helped bring him to a happy and successful place in life once again.
According to Waddell, the four S’s needed during a difficult time include self, situation, support and strategy.
“I am part of a team that came together after my accident,” said Waddell. “When my dad told my family that I had broken my back they all cried and cried. Then my dad told them they had to stop crying and pull it together to be there for me. That (team) was the greatest gift I could have received.”
Waddell endeared himself to the West Lynn crowd by asking them to become involved with people who have disabilities. He said it’s important for everyone to feel included and welcome.
“There are 1.1 billion people in the world with a disability,“ he said. “But we are practically invisible because everyone is taught not to stare at us or ask questions. I am asking you to do just the opposite.“
Waddell has been honored by the Dalai Lama, who called him an “Unsung Hero of Compassion.” People Magazine named him one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World and Skiing Magazine placed him on the 25 Greatest Skiers in North America list. Middlebury College presented him with a Doctorate in Human Letters and National Public Radio called his 2011 address to Middlebury College one of the best commencement speeches ever.
Waddell concluded his time with the students by presenting a video chronicling his admirable and inspirational achievements, which include being the first nearly unassisted paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. He encouraged the attentive audience to visit his website, www.one-revolution.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.