Ecuadorian Amazon Inspiration

 

 

As the result of a devastating brain injury sustained as a teenager, I am fortunate to still be alive.  However, this ultra rare anomaly did so much damage that I was essentially written off, told that I would never accomplish any of my many dreams or even take a step under my own power.  Day in and day out, “experts” bombarded me with the concept that I was now relegated to a limited life that consisted of watching television while lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair.  I would not go to college, I would not be able to do any kind of job, no woman would ever take any interest in me, and a family of my own was out of the question.  I had a simple choice to make, either listen to strangers tell me everything I cannot do, or listen to my heart and accomplish more than they could possibly imagine.  I chose the latter. There is simply too much to see and do in this world to just reside myself to a life of hospitals and caregivers. 

Growing up I dreamed of exploring exotic lands, finding hidden treasures, and solving age old mysteries.  I poured over books and documentaries that detailed such adventures.  However, of all the places I studied, I was drawn to one place in particular, the Amazon.  The idea of such a vast and untamed place fascinated me.  I dreamed of trekking through deep jungle that no Westerner has set foot on, seeing animals that are unknown to science, and stumbling across ancient lost cities.  There is no way that a brain injury will stop me from doing just that. 

Hard work and pain have become my daily companions as I struggle forward in my recovery.  With every wobbly and rigid step, I know that I am that much closer to going to the place I have dreamed of since I was a child.  When I fall, I pull myself up and keep pushing no matter how bad it hurts.  My current surroundings might be concrete and buildings, but in my mind I am surrounded by lush, green foliage.  I can hear the noises of jungle when I close my eyes and I can smell the hot, musty air.  That keeps me going.  That keeps me pushing. 

As time has passed, I have achieved goals that I was told were unattainable.  I have had to learn to face fears and overcome nearly insurmountable odds.  I have a Masters Degree and a well paying job.  I am even fortunate enough to be married to a beautiful Ecuadorian woman and we have a family together.  It seems that my course has been set since my wife’s native country is exactly where I have been longing to go.  My goal is to show my children that dreams do not have limits set upon them.  I have learned that the only thing that can hold me back is myself.  I know very well what I am capable of, which is being in peak physical condition, and I know very well that I will continue to achieve my dreams. 

Though I have not set foot in the vast Amazon jungle yet, I will.  I will make my way through the jungle under my own power and as I am doing so I will be all the more appreciative of where I am at because of the long and winding road I had to take to get there.  I find it somewhat strange that a remote and isolated place that I have yet to set foot on inspires me so much as to keep trying hard every day, but it somehow does. 

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