Hand on Fire

After the explosion, he saw "bits" of himself in a tree, and took stock of what was missing (an arm and two legs). Then he took stock of what remained—right hand, eyes.

And he thought, "I can work."

From the World's Best Photography Magazine this morning, the amazing tale of the rehabilitation of photographer Giles Duley—"pulled along by what would seem an incurably upbeat mind." I'll say.

He says that for him to make sense of what happened to him, he has to make it advantageous to the work he does. I guess that covers the tripod mount fitted to the prosthetic of his missing left arm.

Some people are made of firm stuff indeed. Good luck and godspeed, Giles.

Mike
(Thanks to Jeremy Thomason)

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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by John Camp (a.k.a. John Sandford): "I've always thought that one of the great gifts you can get in life, in western culture, anyway, is the will to work—it gives definition to everything else. Giles is an inspiration."

(Note: I linked to John's books here not in the interest of any sort of commercialism, but because it's directly pertinent to the content of this comment. John's one of the hardest working guys I know, and an inspiration himself in that regard, to me at least. —Ed.)

Comments

[phil]

Thanks Mike,
Huge respect due to Giles. Having a positive mental attitude will help; as will being stubborn and bloody minded!

My brother lost a leg in a motorcycle crash in '82 and has never let it adversely affect him, to the extent of needing numerous prosthetic replacements (Dad being a mechanic helps as well) due to his refusal to stop walking, climbing, getting it full of water/sand etc. Seeing the stump raw and blistered from rubbing puts splinters and other minor injuries into perspective.

all the best phil

[fred]

After wading through the posts and innumerable comments concerning copyright infringement,legal machinations and the ensuing internet brouhaha,the Giles Duley story
brings a bit of perspective back to an increasingly jaded world. This man has inner strength that few possess. I wish him well and thank TOP for posting the link.

[Riley]

And sometimes we think we've got it rough!

[Jessica Sweeney]

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,"

If only I could be half so brave. Well done, Giles.

[Tom Turnbull]

Thanks, Mike, I doubt if I'd have known about Giles Duley if you hadn't posted it.

Certainly underscores the vocational advice that the most important thing you can bring to any position, and one of the few parts of your life history which you actually can do something about, is a your attitude, doesn't it?

I am in awe of him.

[Steve willard]

Thanks Mike, I have been feeling sorry for myself some lately.

[Bill Corbett]

I did want to at least thank you for sharing this, Mike. Past that, I feel totally unworthy to say anything at all.

[Chuck Albertson]

An artificial arm fitted with a tripod head. That's hard-core.

[Bob Blakley]

Wow. Just wow.

[Steve Jacob]

Amazing, almost scarily single minded. Not sure if he's entirely sane, but you have to admire his positive attitude.

I broke my back in an accident 2 years ago, thankfully not seriously enough to cause major long term disability, but my first thought after they told me was "will I be able to use a camera again?".

Not in the same league as friend Giles - in his state I would be more worried about a few other more pressing issues - but it proves us photographers are a weird lot!

Incidentally 2 out of the other 10 people in physio rehab with me were middle aged photographers, both suffering from long term RSI from carrying too much gear around. One was seriously thinking about a Leica S2 because his current MF rig was too heavy and he wanted something more "compact".

[Alan]

Very inspirational. Kind of puts all the equipment lust in perspective. I guess I don't really "need" that new camera...

[Armand]

Amazing! Godspeed Giles.

[erlik]

Hopefully, bionic arms will soon be much more available...

[El Inglés]

Completely overwhelmed by the bravery and fortitude of Giles. I would never have moved beyond "Why me?".

[Bron Janulis]

An addendum to John Camp, is that the work itself can be a blessing and salvation, lifting us up from our troubles. Giles is an inspiration, and I wish him lots of work to revel in.

Bron