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Keys to Recovery Project Athena Foundation journey helps survivors embrace life By Allison Pattillo “Did your leg just fall off?” trail God, cyclist and Army Ranger Blain Reeves asked Alli Morgan, an amputee and trip Athena participant, as they were standing on the side of A1A in south Florida during the second day of the Project Athena Foundation Keys to Recovery Trip. “Flat tires, broken chains, busted derailleurs, I’ve experienced all of that and more, but a leg falling off is a first.” Un-fazed, Morgan replied, “The only time my leg falls off is when we stop, so no more rest breaks.” Spoken like a true Athena. No Roadblocks Some challenges you choose, some choose you. For the Athena’s on the Keys to Recovery trip, life had presented them with nearly insurmountable setbacks, from cancer to morbid obesity to injuries and infections resulting in an amputation. The challenge they chose was a three-day, multi-sport adventure spent pushing through self-doubt, overcoming fears and finding the joy in sore muscles. “These amazing women are Athena’s because they had the strength to see ‘challenges’ in their life, not ‘roadblocks,’” according to Robyn Benincasa, PAF founder and Minister of Dreams. Benincasa, a life-long athlete, adventure racer, motivational speaker, fire fighter and author, thought up the concept for PAF while she was recovering from hip surgery and dreaming of future adventures with friends. Benincasa knew the importance of sport to her life and thought the power of a team and athletic achievements could help others recover emotionally and psychologically from life setbacks.
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turned into all-out sing-alongs and epic water battles as we paddled our way down the Atlantic side of the Keys. “For me, this has been about learning to love the process, the now, not just the goal,” said fundraising Goddess Catalina Ontaneda Vivar, who traveled to Florida from Quito, Ecuador. “As a lifelong athlete, I’ve always been driven by competition, not the fulfillment of experiencing every moment.” Somewhere along a corral ribbon of land between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico a band of 30 individuals became a team. The supporters became the supported and the supported became empowered. As Benincasa points out, “Everyone is an Athena and a Goddess at different points in their life.” The journey ended on a surreal high note of having a police escort as we cycled through Key
West, our PAF parade causing people to clap and cheer. It’s not that our accomplishments necessarily resonated with the onlookers, but we all wore the weary, yet joyous, undeniable soul smiles of a team that had accomplished something magical. As everyone crossed the finish line in the sand hand-in-hand, there were plenty of tears—of joy, relief, hope and emotion from personal accomplishments achieved as a group— and the reinforcement of Benincasa’s mantra that we truly are stronger together than we ever could be on our own. Sign up for your own Project Athena Adventure! The next Keys to Recovery trip is November 21–25, 2013. To learn more about PAF, the race series and other trips, or to register, visit projectathena.org. womensadventuremagazine.com
JOHN WALLER
Adventure of a Lifetime Much like battling and recovering from an illness, the Keys to Recovery Trip is a multi-leg journey. Traveling by kayak, bike and foot, the group covered the 128 miles from Key Largo to Key West over three days. Nights were spent at beachfront campsites, enjoying great meals and good company while relaxing around a fire. Long days were made easier thanks to a full support crew to transport gear, boats and bikes, allowing participants to let go of the details and immerse themselves in the experience. Kayaking was the most challenging activity for many, but two-person boats established the importance of teamwork from the very first stroke. Jitters and nervous laughter quickly
Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, war and heroic endeavors.