This video clip is probably dull to most people. To me, it is the single most INCREDIBLE thing I have ever accomplished IN MY LIFE. I was bed-ridden for the better part of two years, after being in two major car accidents in a 6-week period in 2009 (the second as a pedestrian). I injured my entire body from my head to my toes. I still deal with numerous neurological problems today and am facing more surgeries in my future. I do at least 6 hours of physical therapy every day, in order to be the BEST & most HEALTHY version of myself possible.
I signed up for The Tunnel To Towers Race in NYC with some Wounded Warrior friends from Walter Reed Hospital in order to raise money to build them accessible homes. The race was a 5k. The problem? The most far I have ever crutched was 1.38 miles. Also, crutching majorly induces My Carpal Tunnel Syndome & hurts the discs in my Thoracic spine which are impinging on my spinal cord. But, the Wounded Warrior cause is so dear to my heart & the inspiration so huge from my friends that I knew I was going to attempt this race, no matter how long it took me to do so.
I am still using crutches and a wheelchair, but decided that I wanted to crutch this race and not use the chair at all. It didn't matter to me that I was the last one still trying to finish out of over 34,000 people or that all of those people were blocks away enjoying a concert & party. It didn't matter that the pain was making me cry or that I got lost along the route (because no one was left on it anymore, the markers taken down, I had a migraine & couldn't really see/hear well anymore & I made a mistake of listening to HS cheerleaders directions about the race path). We estimate that I actually crutched an extra mile (and even approached the Finish Line backwards lol).
As this moment was being filmed, I had tears in my eyes from the PAIN I was feeling. Today, I have tears in my eyes watching this out of PRIDE I am feeling. What matters is that I REFUSED TO STOP. I refused to take a short cut. I refused to listen to my mind & body begging me to end the race unfinished & "try again next year". Finally, what matters MOST is what that race taught me. I learned that the most IMPORTANT aspect of anyone's recovery happens somewhere that no Mri, Cat Scan or Xray can measure:
IN. OUR. SOULS.
And, no trophy, first-place ribbon or medal will ever be more valuable than that =)
Негізгі бет Crutchin Tigress
Пікірлер: 3