Special thanks to Margaret at C&C Cycle
for all of your support. Please visit their site.
for all of your support. Please visit their site.
| Thanks to Fredslegs.com for this fantastic leg sleeve. Click the pic below to visit their website. |
I want to thank all of those who supported Ashleigh and I during the 2011 Washington DC 3-Day
Walk. It was once again a tremendous event. It started early in the morning on Sept. 23rd. We
arrived at the parking area ready to begin the 3 day 60 mile journey. The weekend started with me
proposing to Ashleigh. Luckily she said "Yes", otherwise it would have been a very uncomfortable
event. The Opening Ceremony was beautiful. I want to thank Kara for volunteering her time as the
sign language interpreter for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Day 1 was a very wet day but the excitement of the journey kept all the walkers going. We were
fortunate to have such an amazing Crew that kept our stomachs and water bottles full at all times.
When we arrived at camp in the late afternoon, the Crew was spreading wood chips and hay to give
us paths to the dining tent and to the wonderful shower trucks. Having the first day behind us was a
great relief and we were more than encouraged that the next 40 miles was well within reach.
Day 2 was our day to shine. If you can get through this day then it is literally all downhill to reach
the closing ceremony. We quickly donned our 3-day outfits and went out to see what everyone else
was wearing. As you can see in the pictures, we definitely stood out in the crowd. I don't
recommend that anyone attempt walking 20 miles in a bikini, and I surely never thought I would do so.
Strangely enough, I fit in quite well for the event but a few car horns would have helped my
self-esteem immensely. After finally crossing the finish line we went to our tent to get changed for
dinner and enjoy the nightly festivities. Unfortunately, when removing my leg we noticed that I had an
infection that had spread over my residual limb. After seeing the medical team, they took me to a
local ER where they put me on IV antibiotics. This was the end of my 3-Day journey but not for
Ashleigh and my leg.
The morning of Day 3 was very heart-breaking for us. Ashleigh wanted to stay at the hospital with
me but I wanted at least one of us to cross that finish line. She returned to camp late the previous
night and all I could do was wait for texts of her progress. To my surprise, the route actually passed
the hospital where I was staying, and Ashleigh came walking into my room carrying my prosthesis.
With tears in her eyes she gave me a big hug and kiss and told me that she would carry my leg the
entire day and that it will make her feel as though a part of me was with her. Thankfully she met a
wonderful woman, Amy, who had heard what had happened to me and she walked with Ashleigh all
day to keep her company. I can't tell you how grateful I am to all the walkers who went out of their
way to offer assistance as well as their support to Ashleigh that day. I don't know if I could have
been as strong as her that day. She sent me pictures throughout the day of her progress and in each
picture she was holding my leg. I also want to thank those who offered to carry it for her but she was
not going to let go of it for any reason. With both of her feet tightly taped to minimize the horrific
blisters, she made it to the finish line. She didn't want to be at the closing ceremonies without me so
she quickly drove to the hospital to visit me. I also want to thank my baby girl, Payton, for coming all
the way out to the hospital to spend the day with me. It was painful enough not being able to complete
the walk but it would have been unbearable not having you there. Ashleigh spent the night with me in
the hospital and I was finally released on Monday.
Regardless of the hospital stay, it was an incredible weekend filled with tremendous highs and
painful lows. When I think of the weekend I first remember that Ashleigh accepted my proposal. I
then think of how fun it was to walk around in a bikini followed by how much love there was between
all the walkers. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend.
Thanks to all of those who contributed to both of us. Without such support, neither of us would
have been able to participate. I especially want to thank "The Women of the Moose, Lodge #31", in
West Newton PA. They are the reason I was able to make it to the 2010 walk and what made me
believe I could make my goal for 2011. I also want to thank the "Hogs & Heroes Foundation -
Maryland Chapter 2". Even while walking, I was getting updates that I had received another donation
from members and friends of the Hogs & Heroes Foundation. Thanks to Margaret for coordinating my
connection to the group.
We do plan on attending the 2012 Washington DC Susan G Komen 3-Day walk for the cure. We
met each other during the 2010 walk and got engaged during the 2011 walk. In 2012 we will walk
across the starting line as husband and wife. Is there any other way this story could continue? I hope
you enjoy the pictures.
We Love you Jeana!!!!!!
-pegleg
Walk. It was once again a tremendous event. It started early in the morning on Sept. 23rd. We
arrived at the parking area ready to begin the 3 day 60 mile journey. The weekend started with me
proposing to Ashleigh. Luckily she said "Yes", otherwise it would have been a very uncomfortable
event. The Opening Ceremony was beautiful. I want to thank Kara for volunteering her time as the
sign language interpreter for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Day 1 was a very wet day but the excitement of the journey kept all the walkers going. We were
fortunate to have such an amazing Crew that kept our stomachs and water bottles full at all times.
When we arrived at camp in the late afternoon, the Crew was spreading wood chips and hay to give
us paths to the dining tent and to the wonderful shower trucks. Having the first day behind us was a
great relief and we were more than encouraged that the next 40 miles was well within reach.
Day 2 was our day to shine. If you can get through this day then it is literally all downhill to reach
the closing ceremony. We quickly donned our 3-day outfits and went out to see what everyone else
was wearing. As you can see in the pictures, we definitely stood out in the crowd. I don't
recommend that anyone attempt walking 20 miles in a bikini, and I surely never thought I would do so.
Strangely enough, I fit in quite well for the event but a few car horns would have helped my
self-esteem immensely. After finally crossing the finish line we went to our tent to get changed for
dinner and enjoy the nightly festivities. Unfortunately, when removing my leg we noticed that I had an
infection that had spread over my residual limb. After seeing the medical team, they took me to a
local ER where they put me on IV antibiotics. This was the end of my 3-Day journey but not for
Ashleigh and my leg.
The morning of Day 3 was very heart-breaking for us. Ashleigh wanted to stay at the hospital with
me but I wanted at least one of us to cross that finish line. She returned to camp late the previous
night and all I could do was wait for texts of her progress. To my surprise, the route actually passed
the hospital where I was staying, and Ashleigh came walking into my room carrying my prosthesis.
With tears in her eyes she gave me a big hug and kiss and told me that she would carry my leg the
entire day and that it will make her feel as though a part of me was with her. Thankfully she met a
wonderful woman, Amy, who had heard what had happened to me and she walked with Ashleigh all
day to keep her company. I can't tell you how grateful I am to all the walkers who went out of their
way to offer assistance as well as their support to Ashleigh that day. I don't know if I could have
been as strong as her that day. She sent me pictures throughout the day of her progress and in each
picture she was holding my leg. I also want to thank those who offered to carry it for her but she was
not going to let go of it for any reason. With both of her feet tightly taped to minimize the horrific
blisters, she made it to the finish line. She didn't want to be at the closing ceremonies without me so
she quickly drove to the hospital to visit me. I also want to thank my baby girl, Payton, for coming all
the way out to the hospital to spend the day with me. It was painful enough not being able to complete
the walk but it would have been unbearable not having you there. Ashleigh spent the night with me in
the hospital and I was finally released on Monday.
Regardless of the hospital stay, it was an incredible weekend filled with tremendous highs and
painful lows. When I think of the weekend I first remember that Ashleigh accepted my proposal. I
then think of how fun it was to walk around in a bikini followed by how much love there was between
all the walkers. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend.
Thanks to all of those who contributed to both of us. Without such support, neither of us would
have been able to participate. I especially want to thank "The Women of the Moose, Lodge #31", in
West Newton PA. They are the reason I was able to make it to the 2010 walk and what made me
believe I could make my goal for 2011. I also want to thank the "Hogs & Heroes Foundation -
Maryland Chapter 2". Even while walking, I was getting updates that I had received another donation
from members and friends of the Hogs & Heroes Foundation. Thanks to Margaret for coordinating my
connection to the group.
We do plan on attending the 2012 Washington DC Susan G Komen 3-Day walk for the cure. We
met each other during the 2010 walk and got engaged during the 2011 walk. In 2012 we will walk
across the starting line as husband and wife. Is there any other way this story could continue? I hope
you enjoy the pictures.
We Love you Jeana!!!!!!
-pegleg
