Sunday Inspiration: Just don’t give up

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

My inspiration this week is from somewhat of a different source. Last week I was introduced to the story of Mike Persi – now known as Miracle Mike Persi. This is a man that we can all learn a valuable lesson from, a lesson about not giving up, a lesson about how if we hold onto hope and have faith, things can change. The video below tells the beginnings of his story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MusChqByFvY

I’ve talked with both John and Mitch about their involvement with Mike. Mike was a stranger to both of them – a stranger to John when John “heard” him pray, and a stranger to Mitch when Mitch invited him to move into his home, offered him not only free training but a place to stay and nutritional meals, asking nothing in return.

All three of these men, Mike, John, and Mitch are my inspiration this week. They remind me that there are amazing people in this world, that there are angels among us (however you want to see it), and Mike is an inspiration because he reminds me that if you hold onto hope and faith, and you keep trying things can change.

When you live with chronic illness of any kind it can be easy to give up hope and to lose faith that things can improve. It’s amazing to me that Mike didn’t lose hope or faith, for 33 years he struggled with braces, crutches, and wheelchairs. Then he found the right people, the right treatment and things began to turn around. In the first week Mike walked 8 steps unassisted before he fell. It’s been less than a month and this week he walked more than 40 steps without falling!

I remember when I was at the height of my illness with Fibromyalgia and chronic headaches, and who knows what else beating me down. I almost gave up. I was so close to giving up that I had two choices, commit myself or reach out to family and let them know how close I was so that they could intervene. I chose the latter.

I’m glad that I did because it allowed them to step in, to give me the help that I needed. That help is what began the process of my turn-around. That help is what eventually lead me to find the right treatments that have helped me go from disabled to my new normal.

Miracle Mike Persi reminds me that I have to keep that hope and that I have to be willing to take help where ever it comes and in whatever forms.

Mitch Menik reminded me of how important it is to surround myself with positivity, and remove negativity. He said that was the reason he offered to let Mike move in, to ensure that he was in the best environment possible. And John reminds me that when you feel called to help, or called to DO something you just have to find a way to do it.