New Zealand Woman Losses Legs, Becomes Mermaid (Video)

Nadva Vessey surely isn't the first person to dream of becoming a mermaid, but thanks to the folks at Weta Workshop, she may be the first person to truly have realized that dream. Vessey, a New Zealand resident who lost her legs as a youth, approached the company, which has designed effects and costumes for movies such as Lord of the Rings, if they might be able to help her swim like a mermaid.

The company complied, creating a prosthetic tail out of plastic molds and wetsuit materials. Vessey has been taking the tail for test drives around her local pool. Weta for its part, said it's not likely to construct another tail, but was more than happy to accept the challenge.

From one amputee to another: keep the dream alive

Arjun Ramachandran
February 24, 2009 - 4:52PM
Warren Macdonald ... scaling new heights.

A double leg amputee who has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro has a message for shark attack victim and navy diver Paul de Gelder: the biggest obstacle you will face in achieving future physical feats will be the dimmed expectations of others.

As Able Seaman de Gelder, 31, recovers from the amputation of his leg on Wednesday, Australian Warren Macdonald urged him to find people who believed he could achieve his dreams.

Able Seaman de Gelder, who was attacked by what was believed to be a three-metre bull shark in Sydney Harbour, has said he hopes to resume diving.

"I'm looking forward to rebuilding my life and taking on the new challenges I have to face," he said in a statement. "Ultimately I would like to return to what I love - navy diving."

Mr Macdonald lost both legs above the knee in a climbing accident, yet went on to climb Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and America's tallest cliff face, El Capitan. He told Able Seaman de Gelder to remain positive about resuming diving.

"He's bang on, in a sense - especially with that level of amputation there's no end of examples of people that have already done that sort of thing - and he can take it to the next level."

"He'll have no problems getting back to diving."

Mr Macdonald, 42, said his own initial feelings after his legs were amputated oscillated between false optimism and despair.

His legs were crushed when a one tonne boulder fell on him during a climbing trip on Hinchinbrook Island in 1997. He was trapped for two days, waiting in agony as his companion hiked back down a mossy mountain for help.

Both legs later had to be amputated at mid thigh.

"Right in the beginning I thought life was pretty much over. I was going to be happy enough to walk out to the mail box," Mr Macdonald said.

"I felt really limited, and thought I wouldn't be able to spend any time in the bush again."

Later, he began to entertain more positive thoughts. "I had naive ideas I could easily get prosthetic legs and walk into the sunset," he said. Continued...

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Overcoming Obstacles!

A Missoula woman was among more than 500 triathletes who competed in the XTERRA World Championship in Hawaii on Oct. 26.UM News reporter Breanna Roy and photographer Liam Scholey found out, Megan Fisher overcame a bigger obstacle than the grueling race.

NBA to honor former Suns player for his amputee work

The NBA will honor former Phoenix Suns player Wayman Tisdale during All Star Weekend.

This will be Tisdale's first NBA appearance since his recent successful cancer treatment.

Now Tisdale is a Jazz musician but for 12 years he played in the NBA taking a turn on the Suns, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers teams.

He will perform at the NBA Cares & Cooks fundraiser on Saturday, February 14 at 9 p.m.

Also, the Legends of Basketball is set to honor Tisdale with the highly regarded Legends Courage Award at the annual Legends Brunch on Sunday, February 15 at 10 a.m.

Both events take place at the Phoenix Convention Center.

NBA Cares & Cooks is a local food and wine VIP tasting reception featuring award-winning chefs, Basketball Hall of Famers and NBA legends.

Tisdale will perform his Jazz music for the first time, post-cancer treatment, for his former NBA colleagues at this event. This tasting will raise funds for four Phoenix area food banks.

Each year, the Legends of Basketball honors former professional basketball players and luminaries who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact in the basketball community.

The Legends Brunch features current and past players gathering to honor the history, present and future of the NBA.

Tisdale will join the likes of past Living Legends Award recipients including Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Bill Russell, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Earl Monroe and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He will be highlighted as a living legend for his recent work with amputees. Setting a commendable example, Tisdale recently overcame a battle with cancer, which led him to start the Wayman Tisdale Foundation, which counsels and raises funds for amputees.

“It is a great honor to receive this Award not only from the Legends of Basketball, but from my peers. Being able to use my recent experience as an opportunity to help others is something I felt I just had to do. I look forward to sharing this honor with my wife and children, as well as the basketball community,” said Tisdale.

Tisdale is an NBA Great turned respected jazz musician, who has truly forged his own path, from professional basketball player and Olympian to family man and world class musician.

Just as Tisdale captivated fans on the basketball court, he now pleases fans with his bass guitar.

Following his recent cancer surgery, Tisdale continues to inspire fans, friends and cancer survivors alike.

Tisdale’s latest CD – Rebound is his eighth studio album.

For more information about Tisdale, visit www.waymantisdale.com.