Why a Double Amputee Climbed 104 Floors

What is it like for a double amputee to climb 104 floors? And why would a double amputee even attempt such a feat? Believe it or not, but for 31-year-old veteran Rob Jones, conquering the 2,226 steps of One World Trade Center is small in comparison to other achievements. However, I was there for every hard-earned step, and it was no easy accomplishment.

Earlier this month I traveled from Missouri to New York to reunite with my favorite hotel guest, Rob Jones, his family and friends. Our group joined 850 other people for the 3rd annual Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Climb event to honor and remember victims of 9/11. The event raises money to build "smart homes" for service members severely injured in war.

One World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower) is next to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It took 8 years to build and opened in 2014. The cost to build it was $3.9 billion and as the tallest building in the western hemisphere it is truly a sight to behold. It has 71 elevators, five of which move at 23 MPH! Of course, we didn’t take the elevator, we were there to climb. The fastest person sprinted up the stairs in 12 minutes. On average most people took 20-30 minutes. Our group of nine people (aka Team Rob) made the trip in 85 minutes. By the third floor Rob started to perspire and I could tell it was already difficult. He was drenched in sweat not long after.

The best way I can describe watching someone climb stairs with prosthetics is that it looks like climbing stairs on stilts. It requires balance, focus and incredible effort. Rather than just putting one foot in front of the other, when you climb stairs on prosthetics it is a process. It goes something like this; Rob would grab the rail firmly, put his head down, and do a strong swift kick back. Think the strength of a horse kick. Then a hard up motion that was a bit jilted at times. He'd plant the prosthetic and then kick back with the other leg. One step done, 2,225 to go. This is how it went for 104 floors. He'd get a bit of a rhythm at times if his "knee" didn't get stuck. Others times if there was the slightest wobble it could result in a loss of balance, or at the worst, a complete crash onto the cement.

At times we'd chant Rob’s name. Other times we'd cringe while watching him recover from a fall. Reaching the 30th and 60th floors were especially exciting as that is where the water stations were located.

Rob fell three times, but stood up four. 

Our team of nine climbers included Rob’s mom. I asked his mom what she did to raise her son to overcome such extreme adversity. Rob’s mom is a lot like him (humble) so she just smiled and shrugged. Rob said he had to do a lot of weed whacking while growing up. They both laughed when Rob said that must be it.

It was a goose bump moment as we finally reached the 104th floor. We were rewarded with cheering and a 360 degree view of NYC at One World Observatory. We signed the “I Climbed For” poster. I simply signed #robjonesjourney.

Team Rob raised $12,150. The entire event raised $400,000 - $500,000. The money goes to highly worthy people, and one of the people getting a “smart home” is Rob Jones himself! Right now he is completing his choice of land, and soon after construction will start. I can think of no one more deserving.

So back to my original question. Why would a double amputee put himself through the challenge of climbing 104 floors? After all, Rob has already given so much to his country. Why not just focus on himself? I believe the answer to that question goes back to the phrase that Rob came up with while recovering from losing both his legs in Afghanistan. The phrase was: Survive, Recover, Live. He has obviously reached the “live” part of his goal. He has a deep desire to give back to other veterans, and show them there is life after war. It is who he is. It is why I volunteer to be on Team Rob and help him achieve his goal of raising $1 million dollars for military charities.

Rob’s most incredible effort to give back starts October 12, 2017. He will run 31 marathons in 31 days in 31 cities. He will end in Washington D.C. on Veteran’s Day. See below to follow and support his journey.

To read how I met Rob and why he became my favorite hotel guest, click here.

Please help my all-time favorite hotel guest, friend and American hero Rob Jones

• Follow Rob’s Journey on Instagram, Facebook , Twitter or Rob Jones Journey Website
• Check the map to see if he’ll be at a city near you and go cheer him on or run with him! Rob Jones Month of Marathons Schedule
• Share Rob's story with everyone you know

Watch this 2 minute video from the History channel about One World Trade Center. It has incredible facts about the tower.

#robjonesjourney   #iranwithrob  #veteran #marine #hero #t2tclimb