There are times when you just stop. Stop and Think. Stop and undend. Something or somebody causes this. David Toole is that kind of guy. Stephen Hawkings is another.

On Wednesday night they shared the stage at the opening of the Paralympics. Toole is a dancer. No. That’s an understatement. Toole is the most wonderfully athletic dancer you will ever see. And he is legless. Literally. Not that it matters as he weaved his magic over the 90.000 audience who watched him in the stadium and the billions who tuned in.  Backed by a solo piano, Toole ended his dance by soaring into the sky.

There was a lot of soaring going down in London town on Wednesday.

Hawking’s mind soared as he told us human endeavour should have no boundaries. Look up, Look up was his admonishment. Forget the grubby, penny pinching burghers of HSE central who want to lock you in and tie you up as they rob you of the dignity and your choice to live your live as a rock n roll star . Look up, look up.

When was the last time you’ve seen so many disabled people and felt great about life? Not in an aww-aren’t-they great kind of way but in a real these ARE my kith and kin kind of way.

I will celebrate with them. I will love them. I will drink with them. I will live life with them.

Who remembers Mary Ellen Synon? I wonder is she still having sleepless nights over disabled athletes ruining her tea time? It would be great if she is. Maybe the same will happen to the Burghers of HSE central who want to lock you in and tie you up as they rob you of the dignity and your choice  to live your live as a rock n roll star.

Were they watching on Wednesday night as bodies soared and life was lived?  Do they understand these words from The Tempest

“O wonder! How many goodly creatures there are here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world that has such people in’t!”

They might. Or they might just take away Hawking’s voice machine. You choose.

Stephen Daunt – Newstalk Journalist