Outdoor Adventure »Projects & adventures
Brain injury inspiration!
Tamster 2 months ago |

http://rostxusa.com

The first time I met Michael Rost I was sitting on the sidewalk at the Sprinter Station waiting rather impatiently for the train to the beach. I saw him walking towards me for what seemed like several minutes before he was close enough to give what I now consider a characteristic Mike greeting. I remember reacting hesitantly to his statement that we should “hang out sometime,” but luckily hesitancy gave way to uncertain acquiescence. Over time my acquiescence has given way to a hesitant enthusiasm. For Mike though, “everything is possible!”

Ten years ago Michael Rost was in a car crash causing him to endure the consequences of a traumatic brain injury. In a coma for a month, he had to relearn even the most basic of everyday movements. Now, his speech is slowed, his balance is off, his walking is labored and his hands shake, but despite these difficulties, Michael Rost has asked himself, “Self, what can you still do that is crazy and extreme?”

The answer, as it turns out, is not only extreme, but also inspirational.

On March 27 2010, Michael Rost begins the adventure of a lifetime. After taking a swim in the Pacific Ocean, Mike will jump on his recumbent trike and begin his self powered cross country journey to the Atlantic Ocean. Simply stated, Mike wants to show the world and himself that “everything is possible!”

As he travels , he is seeking to raise money to donate to the Brain Injury Foundation in New York. Once I asked him, “How much money do you want to raise?” and jokingly he answered, “a million dollars.” What he raised were a million doubts and questions in my mind, but I’ve decided to opt for Mike’s”everything is possible” slogan. I’ve decided to disregard my previous experiences with what reality is and create space in my mind for the awesome potential of manifesting the adventure of a lifetime.

I know a million dollars is a lot of money to raise. I know that there are many obstacles to be overcome in the achievement of a cross country bike ride by even a person in perfect health with no physical handicaps. I know it won’t be easy. I know there will be flat tires, pelting rain storms, angry drivers, potholes and dead ends, but I also know that Michael Rost has already overcome obstacles in his life that have been way more extreme than any of that. He continues to live his life from the moment he is in. He reminds me that, no, my life might not be exactly the way I would like it to be, and yes, I do have my own obstacles to overcome, but most importantly, he reminds me that not bothering to try would be the only real failure.

So, the New Year not yet arrived, I’ve begun incorporating my resolutions into life a little early. Overcoming fear and doubt are perhaps rather ambiguous goals, but if living with a generalized anxiety of failure is possible, I assume the opposite, living with a generalized sense of purpose and accomplishment, is also possible. Yes, anything and everything is possible!

If you or anyone you know would like to ride with Mike for all or part of his trip, donate a million dollars, be Mike’s bike mechanic, would like to set up a helmet cam for his journey, would like to make phone calls to potential sponsors, arrange educational events at schools, or even be a cheerleader complete with pom-poms as Mike departs on March 27th 2010 please be in touch. Talents and creative insights of all kinds are welcome.

Http://rostxusa.com
rostxusa@gmail.com