Growing up in Wisconsin, Bob Wieland was a talented baseball player. As he was negotiating a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, he decided to join the Army as a combat medic to serve in Vietnam.
In June 1969, his squad walked into a mine field. When a member of his unit stepped on a booby-trapped mortar, Wieland rushed to give first aid but he, too, stepped on an 82mm buried mortar, losing both of his legs; In a letter to his parents after his accident, he wrote: "Dear Mom and Dad.
I'm in the hospital. Everything is going to be O.K. The people here are taking good care of me.
Love, Bob.
P.S. I think I lost my legs." After recovering from his injuries, he enrolled at California State University and joined the Green Bay Packers as a strength coach.
In 1986, he "ran" across America on his hands, taking 3 years, 8 months, and 6 days to travel from coast to coast and raise money for Vietnam veterans.
He's a 4 time world record holder in bench press with a lift of 507lbs and the only double amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, HI without a wheelchair.
As he often puts it: "My legs went one direction, my life another"
Moral of the story gents: There are no life obstacles big enough for you to worry about. The attitude towards our problems often reflect the outcome. I hope he gets a shrimp boat company started soon. #boxofchocolates #hero #example #zerofoxtrot #stayzero