Hi everyone,
If you’ve heard my story, you are probably well aware that I got my inspiration from other physically challenged athletes and watching so many heroic stories of our wounded service men and women. I thought I’d share with you a recent email I received from a wounded soldier’s wife. He is the reason I do what I do. Keep “Doing the Unthinkable” and spread this challenge to everyone you meet. Thank you to RC for sharing this with me- I am honored to have met you and your husband. You are my heroes and an inspiration to us all!
Thanks
Scott
Greetings Scott, My name is (RC) and I am writing you at midnight with tears of joy with a long-overdue “THANKS” from my husband Steve and I. Your story has inspired my husband to “do the unthinkable” and in the process it has given him a personal goal a new sight on life. We first heard your story during your Ironman training and little did we know that our paths or lives would ever cross in person, but they did…Both my husband and I are active duty Marines and in 2006 he was injured during his 1st deployment to Iraq, he is on the road to recovery but it has been an emotional challenge for both of us. This past May at the 3rd Annual Hope for the warriors run aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. I was a volunteer and participant for the event and my husband and I attended the pre race dinner where we had the opportunity to hear your story in person. Before meeting you that day my husband never shown any desire to ride a bike nor did he even own one, but this did not discourage him and within days we were researching road bikes on the internet. We settled with a mountain bike to start off before committing to a huge investment. About a week after purchasing his mountain bike, while at the store browsing for cycling magazines for tips on training, he resorted to very last copy of the last cycling magazine left on the shelf when he opened the magazine, it was the page with your story on it. He called to tell me of all the coincidences that had occurred and I could hear the (long overdue) enthusiasm in his voice. Long Story Short (I’m really trying to be brief)…
Your story has brought life back into my husband’s life and he feels it only appropriate for him to do the same for someone else that may be struggling to due to their physical or combat related injuries. He has not established a goal amount but has set his sights on cycling from his hometown, Kokomo Indiana, to Camp Lejene and?arriving in Lejeune the day prior to the wounded warrior run, unfortunately I will be unable to support him in person as I will be on the 5th month of my 1st 12 month tour to Iraq. This week he made his first trip to speak with the Indiana Businessman that has offered to sponsor and support him in his efforts to raise awareness and funds for programs in support of combat injured veterans. I know that it would mean a lot to him to hear from you again, since the time he got to meet you at the Race this past May. Best wishes Scott and thank you for bringing the life, passion and drive back into our lives…I had been worried and tried not to convince myself that since my husband sustained his injuries that his true self was probably also lost forever. Keep spreading your message! -RC