The Snow Society”: Nando Parrado, An Exemplar of Resilience
A few days ago, Netflix released the film “The Society of the Snow,” which depicts the survival of 16 young boys after a plane crash en route from Uruguay to Chile in the Andes. The harrowing scenes and the decisions they faced make it one of the most stunning survival stories.
They survived for 75 days in the snow, faced an avalanche, and managed to sustain themselves by eating shoelaces, toothpaste, and more.
The history of Nando Parrado.
What resonated with me the most was the figure of “Nando Parrado.” A 22-year-old, rugby player from a working-class family.
He experienced two terrible events: first, a head injury that left him in a coma for three days after the crash; second, upon waking, the devastating news of his mother’s death in the impact and his sister’s critical condition, leading to her eventual passing.
Nando was in a coma during the initial tragedy, waking up three days later without any lasting effects.
How this could be possible?
Mistaken for dead by his friends, they placed his body at the fuselage entrance with his head resting on the ice. This seemingly simple act proved to be the best remedy, as the cold reduced brain activity, preventing the edema from spreading through the fractures and potentially causing further harm.
Despite the loss and his injuries, Nando demonstrated incredible resilience. When his sister died, he began training in the snow, initiating his recovery. One thing was certain; he wanted to get out of there.
After leading several excursions to find the rest of the fuselage, he embarked on a 10-day journey, crossing the mountains to seek help for his friends.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, I highly recommend it — a solid 100%. It’s truly deserving of Oscars; each scene transports you to that moment. I even felt like I was on that plane.
