better - Pressalit A/S

achieved by means of a ”yo-yo procedure”, whereby expedition
members climb a short distance up the mountain,
gradually acclimatise to the lower oxygen content
– and then climb back down a little. The next day the
person climbs a little higher before repeating the whole
procedure. And so it continues – until – they hopefully
reach the summit. In their battle against the lack of
oxygen, a strong mental attitude plays a vital role, and
with his wealth of experience from elite sport, Cato Zahl
truly has something valuable to offer the other expedition
members.
To be a “storyteller” – a teller of stories – from the
summit is another personal goal. Reaching the summit
will in itself be a story about our inability to judge a
book by its cover, or functional ability and performance
simply by looking at a person, and that other people
who are slightly different from the norm possess a
greater potential than we often expect. This is a message
that Cato Zahl would very much like to hammer
home to the welfare society, the labour market and to
individuals in general. Personally, he views Cho Oyu as
a learning opportunity - for the expedition will reveal
the boundary of his own limitations.
Functional ability and limitations
Do you never stop to think about the risks involved in
such an expedition?
”People have told me that the expedition is a foolhardy
undertaking. That it’s too dangerous for me. They said
the same thing about our expedition to the South Pole.
But in reality, there is no danger in what we’re doing.
Crossing a busy road at the wrong place – can prove
deadly, but our expedition is not inherently dangerous
because we are constantly aware of safety issues. We
spend the necessary time to ensure extra safety for
me. Outside factors such as the weather, sickness and
accidents can pose a threat but we can greatly reduce
the risk through proper planning. The expedition team
comprises top professional, well-prepared members
and in Nepal we have allied ourselves with one of the
world’s top sherpas, Dawa Chiri Sherpa, who will act as
a guide and help assemble a local team to aid in carrying
the equipment. So we have done what we can to
give ourselves optimal climbing conditions.”
How can you approach such a difficult task without
focusing on limitations?
”Your question goes to the very heart of the whole issue
of functional ability and performance. Many people
have a tendency to become bogged down by limitations
and to view them as an insurmountable problem, which
triggers a general feeling of despair in relation to task
solving. We’re quick to call something difficult. I have
had to realise that the more accurately I can describe
a limitation, the easier it is to overcome it. It’s about
“giving a name to the problem” – about dismantling the
obstacle and breaking it down into its concrete subelements
so we can see what is needed to solve each
separate element. For example, there is nothing difficult
about walking to the South Pole – all you have to do
is find your direction and start walking. Physically it is
exhausting, but that’s something entirely different. But
it’s not – difficult.”
While I am chewing this over, Cato Zahl continues:
”Sometimes you fight a lack of motivation because
you’re cold, tired or disheartened. Then the only option
is to step back and try to assess the situation: - What
exactly is the problem? Maybe you’re freezing to the
bone. - Okay, what can I do about that? Have I got an
extra pair of trousers in my rucksack? - Okay, would it
be a good idea to put them on? In this way, you gradually
break down a general limitation into specific things
that are limiting your ability to function.”
Keep Living
As a physically impaired person, Cato Zahl is used to
relying on auxiliary aids to compensate for his physical
limitations. The prosthesis attached to his right arm
is literally vital when he has to suspend himself from
a climbing rope on the mountain face. Perhaps it is
this ability to find concrete solutions to problems that