Something happened yesterday. Something big. If you have been following along, you know that I have been staying with Jason Lester here in Kona. Jason is an inspiration to thousands as an avatar of faith and perseverance in the face of tremendous disability and obstacles. When he was just 12 years old, he was struck by a car and suffered the devastating loss of use in his right arm. His life setbacks were compounded by a very difficult childhood. But Jason has never let any of this slow him down. Instead he has leveraged his disability and challenges to inspire others. He is a true messenger of World Service and is healing the Planet in every moment of his life. With every step he runs, stroke he swims, climb he attacks and breath he draws, he is a boundless source of faith, hope & inspiration.
Imagine swimming 6.2 miles in ocean currents with only one arm. Not only did Jason get it done in last year’s Ultraman, he finished despite severe jellyfish attacks that left him teetering on anaphylactic shock in the last mile. He was hauled into a support boat and advised to drop out. But when he overheard the boat captain radio the shore that Jason was puling out (and would thus be disqualified), he hopped back in the ocean and finished. That’s the kind of guy I’m talking about.
Now imagine getting right on a bike and riding 90 miles with 7500 ft of elevation, then getting up the next day and riding 170 miles with 8600 ft of elevation, all with only one arm to balance him in ridiculous wind gusts that want you face down on the pavement. During the final miles of last year’s Ultraman, I remember the winds were so severe descending the Kohalas it was all I could do to stay on my bike with 2 strong arms and hands holding on for dear life. Just the other day, Jason and I were out riding on the Queen K in heavy cross winds. An 18-wheeler blazed by us and the wind gusts were so strong I had to hold on with everything I had just to stay upright on my bike. I turned my head back in a panic, absolutely certain I would see Jason sprawled out on the pavement. No way — he was still rocking, despite later telling me that he actually had his functional left arm off his handlebars at that very moment. How does this happen?
Which brings me to yesterday. For the first time ever, Jason was able to balance his body with force on his right arm to actually stand up off his saddle and peddle his bike in an upright position. If you know cycling, you know this is a key ability when you want to exert additional power when attacking a climb. But until yesterday, this ability had totally eluded him. In my opinion, this is nothing short of incredible. Over 20 years since his accident will Jason regain sensation in his right arm? Maybe, maybe not. But in my book, yesterday qualifies as a miracle into itself. And in the words of Jason — NEVER STOP BELIEVING.
There is something going on. The planetary energies are strong. There is a plan unfolding. A plan that involves healing and service. And Jason is in the vortex.
Check out this video. It brings tears to my eyes. I feel privileged to have been there to witness it for the first time.
