Memories of a much-loved friend

[cool_moose]

He lived for 47 years after breaking his neck in 1959 - when he was just 19. But last week, Peter Lindsay died. My dearest friend, the man who changed my life in wonderful ways, has gone

Comments

[aaronapps]

I often find that quadriplegics end up doing great things with their lives. And more power to them-although I do see the limiting factor of being in a wheel chair as being a bit depressing-but inspired people tend to have an internal resilience to such limitations.

In fact, I’m more surprised at his bounce back from being eliminated from hockey. I think I know more unsuccessful hockey players than anything else, being from Duluth. They tend to end up teaching high school physical education or working at the hardware store-a far cry from their grand dreams of playing in the NHL. Two of my cousins were high school prodigies in Duluth, and both of them managed to get injured to the point where their NHL hopes were no longer a possibility. They somehow managed to fall into lull jobs that neither of them seem to enjoy, particularly. It is as though their primary dream died so they gave up on achieving any of the “greatness” that they had once strived for. I really don’t know what to think of it. It mostly brings me feelings of sadness.

I’m glad to see that there are people who can overcome the greatest of obstacles. It makes the day to day stumbles of the advantaged seem insignificant. I wish we all had a bit more of that resilience in our personalities.

[cool_moose]

Well, not many quads went on to work for 30+ years. But he was determined.
As for the hockey, he played on a line with Andre Boudrias and Yvan Cournoyer in the Montreal Canadiens Junior league. They were 15-16 when he was 18-19 and went on to famed careers in the NHL. Peter had no intention of going pro - he was more interested in university. And in those days (late 50's) the salaries in the 6-team NHL were quite ordinary (and sane, versus now).
It's been a hard week. :-(