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“Just because I’m in a chair doesn’t mean I can’t stand up and do what’s right. Even if I can’t stand up it’s all about doing the right thing.” -Larry Skopnik
I came across this video the other day and just had to share it. Give it a watch and check out my commentary after the video.
Pretty cool, right?
That is a great example of the Will to Engage. When there was a need to use force, Mr. Skopnik didn’t hesitate, even knowing he would have fewer physical tools to use than most of us. He saw what needed to be done and he did it. That is the will, indicative of the warrior, that we should all strive for.
I’ll admit that this video first caught my attention because Mr. Skopnik is in a wheelchair, but most of what I like about this video doesn’t have anything to do with that. I don’t think the fact that Mr. Skopnik ‘stepped up’ on wheels instead of shoes should be the focus, what matters is that he did.
There are a lot of other details in this video that I really enjoy, as well.
I love how humble and confident Mr. Skopnik is.
“Come at me with whatever you got, I’m pretty sure I can defend myself. Her not getting hurt was what the important thing was.”
I love that other patrons jumped in to help.
I like how Mr. Skopnik had the awareness to see what was happening and the decisiveness to take action.
“Right at the moment that he was going in and getting physical with her, I figured that was unacceptable, to cross that boundary. All I really want to do is just end the situation.”
I love that Mr. Skopnik embraces the old school ethos that some behavior is still unacceptable, and that it’s alright, expected even, to oppose it.
I like that the clerk gets on the phone right away and starts getting help.
I like that one patron grabbed an improvised weapon (even if a wet floor sign isn’t a terrific choice, the principle is sound).
I like how well Mr. Skopnik moves in his chair, coming down the aisle and clearing the counter door. It shows the importance and advantages of moving well in the body you have. Nobody has the exact same equipment, but we can all find a way to make it work.
I like that the local authorities got the bad guy, and had the good sense to leave the good guys alone.
But most of all, I like that the video shows us that America is still a place where the good guy ‘Average Joe’ can stand up for his neighbors, using a little force if needed, and then shrug it off as just the right thing to do.
