The splendid achievement of Thomas Cremona in rowing across the Atlantic must have been a huge boost to the morale of his compatriots but more so to those experiencing health problems. For over a month, he and the five-man crew accompanying him on the 11-metre boat were in the news as they strove against all odds to keep up a gruelling pace to break a new world record in transatlantic rowing.
Only very serious athletes can really appreciate the unbelievable qualities required to attempt and accomplish such a feat. The case of Mr Cremona is all the more outstanding as he has come a long way from battling life-threatening cancer at the age of four. Despite this setback, he survived to go on and become a first-class athlete, even a world record-breaker.
He not only took up the challenge to push himself to the limit of courage and endurance, he also altruistically raised awareness of the impressive work done by Malta’s excellent medical team and cancer support foundation NGO Puttinu Cares in their commitment to young cancer patients.
It was also his aim to show other youngsters in a similar predicament there is life after cancer and that such a misfortune should not be an impediment to keep doing one’s best in any field of endeavour. Besides other sporting achivements to his credit, Mr Cremona did extremely well in his chosen career and became a chartered accountant at the young age of 22.
His success should be an inspiration to a world that too often tends to be pessimistic, focusing only on the negative and adopting a defeatist attitude. It illustrates how vital it is to have positive objectives and aim high.
Role models like Mr Cremona and his crew mates and others, such as the Maltese trio who scaled Mount Everest, make us realise that, with effort and determination, we can all maximise our positive potential. He brings to light how crucial it is, even at a tender age, to grapple with such a cruel disease as cancer with fortitude and optimism.
Another admirable characteristic of such athletes is their sense of solidarity. They not only excel in their discipline of choice, in turn, they seem to almost effortlessly commit themselves to promoting and supporting noble causes.
Public admiration for their inspiring deeds is often channelled into galvanising public backing for vital services in the community. Even other crew members with Mr Cremona committed themselves to support NGOs and charities. Less high- profile athletes, overseas and in Malta, often do likewise on a routine basis.
Society does well to highlight high achievers. Such qualities of healthy ambition, requiring determination and the ability to subject oneself to punishing training schedules, should motivate young people to realise the importance of believing in their self worth. It should also stimulate families and the wider society to rally round youth, especially those burdened with illness and social problems, to have faith in themselves and encourage them to do their utmost to overcome the odds pitched against them. Where there’s will there is a way.
Life shows us that adversity and misfortune, if faced confidently and with courage, can be opportunities to appreciate what really makes the difference in making us better people.
Not everyone can expect to excel so impressively. Yet, within everyone’s limitations, a postive frame of mind and the will to reach high goals will always count. Besides enriching themselves, they also enrich us all.