In the entire cursed history of humankind I do not for one moment believe anyone has ever purposely and effectively severed their own spine.

but there has been plenty of examples of people hurting themselves to prove a point

That is very true. I've done that myself when I was younger and less aware that life will hurt plenty, we don't have to add to it.

i fully agree, it is a two-way street and a shared destination, not a competition