For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.
Hey Friends,
I can't believe it's the first day of AUGUST! It feels like we were living in Nashville where it was bitterly cold and snowing just last week .. that we were backing up our moving truck to head to Vegas yesterday .. yet at the same time it feels like it was ages ago that I turned Pro at Team U .. which was only one month ago today! Time is funny and so precious. If anything .. this little project has reminded me of that. We aren't given another day. Nothing is promised. Life is so short.
Yesterday I ran my peak week HIIT sprints in honor of a little boy who is lucky to be alive ... but lives his little life with many scars .. but physical and mental. I really hope you took the time to read his story and lift up and for him. He is so brave and certainly motivated me yesterday!
Today I'll be doing one of my rare double up days. As I've mentioned before I COULD do it all together (both my HIIT and lift) but I would rather split up these double days because of the heat, meal timing, length of my workout, etc. So today our PREP WITH PURPOSE person will get double the "lifting" and he is certainly deserving of it! His name is Ellis. I've been following his story for a while how because it is very important to one of my dear friends. I hope you join me in lifting up and for ELLIS today!
Prep With Purpose - August 1st, 2016: Ellis
In hopes of keeping peoples attention and getting them to participate in Prep With Purpose .. these blog entries are typically shorter reads. Because of that I won't go into the full details on Ellis and his past. But in short ... at time of his accident he was homeless. If you want to know his FULL story (and I really encourage that you read it) .. my friend Linds wrote a beautiful blog about him, his past, the accident, his future, etc.
Ellis survived .. but not without major setbacks. The medication that Ellis was having to take to keep his blood pressure down caused his hands and feet to literally swell to the size of super hero hands and feet. After a while, they shrunk up to nothing and almost withered away, which was just as terrifying. The doctors then informed friends that Ellis was most likely going to lose both of his feet and most likely all of his fingers. Fast forward to today. He is now recovering... but as an amputee. In June, Ellis's legs were removed below the knee, left hand fingers, and half of the fingers on his right hand.
Ellis had been through so much and those helping Ellis have been going through a lot too. Ellis has no insurance. The hospitals did everything they could to help Ellis, but it takes months to even get an appointment with Social Security or disability. The hospital would not release him with out a follow up plan, and we had nowhere for him to go, or the funds to cover everything he needs. After being released from the rehab facility, he went to live with a woman that is so kindly helping hm learn how to navigate his new life and live completely.
With no insurance and no permanent home .. there are many needs. I'm asking that you all forgo something .. anything ... and give a little to Ellis if you can. You can DONATE HERE. I can't always vouch for funding pages but I can vouch for this one. Please read the PROJECT NENA blog to learn more about Ellis, where your money will go, etc.
My friend says that during it all his attitude has been positive .. telling people he is "fantastic". She said that you would think Ellis was born to be an amputee marathon runner! The first day he stood up and walked 50 feet in his new legs. He celebrated his 61st birthday and ready for his new life.
She says that everyone that has encountered Ellis falls in love with him and his ability to fight and tenacity to get better. When most people would be depressed and down at the situation they are in, he is ready for a new life. He said he is ready to cut the grass again and get to work.
What if we were all like Ellis? Positive during even the worst of times? WANT to work and have the desire to WANT to be physical? He wants all of this and would give anything to have it... but isn't 100% healthy .. yet he still a POSITIVE attitude .... so what is stopping YOU?!!? Today when you think of giving up, making excuses, or just want to complain or be be lazy .. remember Ellis.
Every stride and every rep I take today will be in honor of ELLIS! I sure hope he feels the extra love <3 br="">
XoXo
Stacy
I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing?
Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com
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