the-exercist:

This man is Mark Inglis. 

He has a degree in Human Biochemistry from Lincoln University, New Zealand. He is a goodwill ambassador for  Everest Rescue Trust and created the charitable trust Limbs4All. He was a professional mountaineer before his leg amputations and came from a family that was wealthy enough to not only support his endeavors, but fund his medical care. He’s published four books and continues to receive royalties from each of them. The Discovery Channel funded and filmed his Everest expedition, which he still receives royalties for. He was honored by This is Your Life, which he still receives royalties for. 

Long story short - This man has a huge number of advantages in life that are not available to me. It is ridiculous to compare his situation to anyone else’s. 

Disabled people are still people. Shocker, isn’t it? Both in addition to and in spite of his disability, Inglis is still a well-rounded person who cannot be solely defined by his body. He does not exist so that you can use his image to shame other people into action.

Stop the inspiration porn. Stop the “no excuses” rhetoric. Just stop.