This is an incredible story of a man who chose to live when he felt like giving up. What made the difference? If you ask me, it was fins! Yes, flippers. Let me tell you why.
A Life-Changing Moment
Philippe Croizon lost both of his arms and one leg after a terrible accident where he was electrocuted. While still in the hospital, doctors told him that his other leg would also need to be removed. Philippe felt completely hopeless, like there was no way forward. But then, he saw a news story that changed everything.
The story was about a woman who had swum 21 miles from England to France in just one day. Inspired by her achievement, Philippe said to himself, “I’m going to do that.”
Overcoming the Impossible
Philippe—who lost all four of his limbs in 1994—did something truly amazing. He swam across the English Channel in less than 14 hours, using a snorkel and special prosthetic flippers.
For two years, Philippe trained for more than 30 hours a week to prepare for this challenge. He thought it would take him about 24 hours to complete the swim, but he surprised everyone by crossing the 21 miles from England to France in just over half a day.
Philippe’s story isn’t just about a physical challenge; it’s about the incredible strength of the human spirit. He went from being a regular guy who worked with metal to a record-setting swimmer, even after losing all of his limbs.
What Helps You Keep Going?
When life gets tough, what helps you keep going? For me, it’s all about finding my “fins.” By fins, I mean the things that help me get through difficult times: self-help books, my faith, and support from other people.
Fins actually saved my life once when I was caught in a rip current with my brother. I kept telling him, “Don’t worry, I have my fins on.” Those fins gave me the power I needed to get out of the dangerous waters. In the same way, when life feels overwhelming, I turn to things that give me strength, like reading a good book or hearing an inspiring story. Just like fins help you swim faster, these tools help me get through tough days.
Finding Peace in Tough Times
Recently, my mom was in the hospital, and I stayed with her. It’s easier to handle challenges during the day, but nighttime can be scary and stressful. Last night was really hard. Every few hours, the hospital staff would turn on a bright light, waking us up and making it hard to relax. By 3 a.m., I was feeling completely frustrated.
But then, I remembered some advice I heard from a man named Joseph Murray. He said that before you go to sleep, you should think about positive things to unlock the power of your mind. Instead of getting angry, I told myself, “Here’s another chance to unlock the power of my mind.” This small shift in thinking helped me stay calm.
Get Ready for Life
Philippe’s story and my own experiences remind me that we all need our fins—our sources of strength—to help us through tough times. Whether you’re feeling hopeless, stressed, or just having a bad day, find what gives you strength. For me, it’s inspiring stories, faith, and advice from others. Just like fins give you power in the water, these things give me the strength to get through life’s challenges.
So, whatever you’re facing, don’t forget to find your fins. They’ll help you swim through anything life throws at you.
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