It happened almost simultaneously. No sooner did I hit send button for the deposit on
the for my newest "Dream", then the old nagging worries started again. I had not traveled to Europe alone since my trip to Paris in 2010 and thoughts of finding my way around another foreign country unnerved me.
I immediately started obsessing about how I would get from the airport to my apartment in the Cannaregio area in Venice. I couldn't just hop in a cab, as Venice is a pedestrian city and cars are not permitted. How in the world would I find my way from the vaporetto, dragging two weeks worth of luggage, through the maze of streets and alleys to my canal side destination? After all Venice is a city that brags that EVERYONE gets lost there. I spent a sleepless night wondering whether I should even attempt the trip.
The next day, still bogged down with worry, I contacted one of my colleagues in New York on some work related issue. During our conversation I asked about her son, Keith.
Keith Zeier is a Gulf War veteran, who in 2006, at age 19, was severely wounded by an IED explosion. His brain injury was minor, however, his leg injury left him with a 12 inch scar and no feeling in part of his left leg and excruciating pain in the other part. Doctors advised that he might never walk again but, if he did it would only be with the aid of a cane. After a long rehabilitation period, Keith became involved with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This foundation helps the families of fallen warriors and had provided assistance to his mother, Denise during his long recovery. http://www.specialops.org
In 2009, after training with CrossFit for 7 months, he decided to participate in the Key West 100 mile run as a fundraiser and awareness vehicle for SOWF. Along with his entourage, including his bother Craig, a physical therapist, Keith headed to Florida. He started off the race well. But, at mile 75, exhausted, suffering from dehydration, searing leg pain, and barely able to walk, Keith was advised by paramedics to discontinue. After signing a health waiver, he stoically continued the race, and after 31:03 hrs, Keith crossed the finish line. His run raised over $100K for the foundation. http://www.today.com/video/today/31724924/#3172492s
In 2011, after 5 years of chronic and unyielding pain, Keith made the brave decision to have his painful left leg amputated. He was fitted with a prosthetic and following a long and strenuous rehabilitation period, Keith continued to raise funds for SOWF. He started Ascents of Honor http://ascentsofhonor.org with a fellow mountain climber he met while climbing Mt Ranier in 2012. The organization planned an Ascents fundraising climb of Mount Washington, New Hampshire for January 2013.
Keith continued to cheat death during the climb when an avalanche felled he and his fellow climbers pushing them 800 feet down the side of the icy mountain. Miraculously, Keith survived with only an injured leg and a torn rotator cuff. Since his injury has caused his stump to swell he is relegated to wheel chair until he can once again wear his prosthetic leg. Although Keith is still healing and the road to recovery will be a long one, he has vowed to climb again for his fallen warrior foundation.
When Denise finished telling me about her heroic son, two things happened. First, I made a donation to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and secondly, I felt embarrassed that I had worried about something as minor as airport transportation.
Keith was the reality check I needed. Surely if Keith could run 100 miles on a painful leg, and then climb mountains with a prosthetic leg, I could navigate a few waterways and hidden alleys. Keith Zeier is truly an American Hero. Not only is his fortitude an inspiration to me... his bravery serves as a daily reminder to me how I can overcome my truly minuscule fears. Now... a lot braver I set my sights on Venice!
