Replying to Foam Pits... Cheating?

I was talking to another NS member about Woodward @ Copper and she said she wasn't sure how she felt about it because she thought it was cheating, and she thinks getting hurt is what teaches you lessons. It was interesting to hear her say that, because I have never looked at it that way before...

When I started learning front flips I didn't have the luxury of foam pits at the time, and actually ended up dislocating my T10 vertebrae and had to be airlifted. I'm lucky to still be walking, much less skiing. I always thought skiing was for fun, and why hurt yourself over and over when you can learn tricks the right way, right away... without having to suffer through it. I don't think being "tough" or having a lot of previous injuries is what makes you a good skier. Everyone falls eventually, why not be safer about it?

What are your thoughts on this?
Do you see the foam pits as cheating, or a smarter way to learn tricks?