Whitney's Trip Across America

Feb 20, 2014 started out like any other day, but by that evening, life as I knew it had changed forever. I was a successful associate of a real estate investment firm in Boston, MA with a healthy and athletic lifestyle. I decided to go for a run after work and woke up months later with a significantly altered life after surviving a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from being hit by a car as a pedestrian. The TBI has made things different and challenging. My last 8 years have been centered around rebuilding and redesigning my life.

Very close friends of my family have invited me to join them on an exciting adventure this summer cycling across the country. The trip will start on May 14, 2022 from Astoria, OR and end around August 28, 2022 in Boston, MA.   It will cover approximately 4,300 miles riding and 150,000 feet of climbing in about 100 days (~80 riding), averaging about 55 miles/day. I am joining Debra Meyerson and her husband Steve Zuckerman on their trip to promote their nonprofit Stroke Onward: https://strokeonward.org/stroke-across-america/. The focus of this trip is centered around the idea  to help survivors and their caregivers navigate the emotional journey of rebuilding their lives after suffering a stroke. Because strokes and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) cause similar disabilities and struggles, the Meyerson/Zuckerman’s have invited me to join them on their adventure.  I have always been inspired and motivated by challenges, so it didn’t take long to decide that I was all in. While thinking about my last eight years I realized that I have yet to come to grips with the fact that I am disabled. I have invisible challenges that I have to embrace and partaking in this trip will push me to do so.  

Aside from the excitement and challenge of riding our bikes each day, we are putting together 15-20 organized events in cities from Bozeman, MT to Boston, MA and many more.  It is at these publicity and fundraising events that I hope to use my voice and story to encourage the thousands of others that are living with non-apparent disabilities, to never give up, never settle and to strive to live their fullest life possible. I will be covering all the personal costs for the trip which will include a bicycle, tires, a tent, miscellaneous camping supplies, and meals for three months. The estimated personal costs are about $10,000.

I continue to be forever grateful to all my family and friends that have supported me to this point.  Please take a moment to check out the trip details at https://strokeonward.org/stroke-across-america-saam/.  It’s a wonderful organization and a truly worthy cause. Any donations received will only be used to help cover my personal expenses for this trip and would be greatly appreciated!