Inspiration of the Day

Here is a story about Zeke of Haiti (Zeke Petrie), if you woke up today and need a jolt of positivity and inspiration .

Zeke Petrie grew up in Barberton, Ohio in the United States and then at the age of 18 left to live in the country of Haiti.

During his 20+ years in Haiti he became a champion for the poor and underprivileged in Haiti and worked as a security adviser and translator to many influential individuals (like Snoop Dogg and other celebrities) in the country.

Basically because of the respect Zeke earned with the people and leaders of the slums and cities of Haiti, he was able to keep his clients safe while visiting in Haiti for business or pleasure.

It was this respect of the people and the leaders of Haiti that eventually got him in trouble. Because of his work helping Haitians and other visiting Haiti, he was highly respected and sought out to be apart of marches, protests, and demonstrations.

During a protest in 2012 supporting reestablishing the Haitian army, Zeke and his girlfriend among others got arrested for wearing pro Haitian army T-shirts. As a result the whole lot including Zeke and his girlfriend was imprisoned and charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Zeke, a diabetic, was locked in a Haitian prison and left to survive without insulin and barely any food. He somehow lived through this because of his strong spirit and humor, his faith in God, and he had a friend throw his insulin and food over the prison fence to him so he wouldn't die because of his diabetes.

Then eventually after 50 days a random lawyer took a chance on Zeke's story and he was released along side his girlfriend on the condition they left Haiti to never return.

So that's what they did. They flew off to Barberton, Ohio in the United States and have been inspiring every since.

This is where myself and my family became close friends with Zeke and his family.

Zeke brought his sons Moses and Spartacus to my father's basketball school, the Cleveland Basketball School looking for a way to give back and help out the community as well as helping his sons become better basketball players.

A deep, meaningful relationship started then with his family and ours and frequently visits my father, Paul.

My father and Zeke

And this is where the inspiration goes to another level.

During this time, Zeke was looking at ways to help people and he met Andre while driving a van for an agency.

Andre has cerebral palsy but that hasn't stopped his passion for racing and competing.

Thus the push-chair team of Zeke and Andre was formed.

They have done marathons and Iron Man competitions (70 miles) all over the United States from Akron, Ohio to Boston to San Francisco, California.

Zeke pushes Dre 26.2 miles and for the Ironmans swim and push 70 miles. How inspirational is that?

Zeke and Dre have been the first push-team at many of the marathons and competitions they compete in. Can you imagine how hard it is to push someone 26.2 miles? Or pull a person in the water by swimming?

And they continue to inspire and do marathons every year. They now are giving presentations and speeches as well as competing in marathons.

I feel blessed to know Zeke personally and learn about his story first-hand.

The amount of pain and sacrifice in his life all because he wants to help people is a testament to the life that some of us choose.

The nice thing about life is we get to choose.

Zeke chose to leave America for Haiti and helped the community for years so much so they locked him up because of his influence.

And when the government tried to stop him, did he give up?

Nope, he just fought harder inspiring and helping more people.

And when got back to America did he just relax his days away?

Nope, he trained and inspired thousands through his marathons and dedication to Dre and raising awareness for people with disabilities.

That's what leaders do. They lead and they help people.

No matter what.

Whenever I need advice, it is so epic I can turn to Zeke for perspective and guidance.

I hope this brings a unique perspective about life and the struggle people who help people go through.

Zeke has survived and lived through almost every situation in life and he still is positive and cheerful as ever.

He is a true testament that free will is free and it is powerful.

Thank you as always for your time, support, and attention. Means a lot :)

Image Sources:

• https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/barberton-man-happy-to-be-home-talks-of-time-in-haitian-prison
• http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/orphans-at-their-mothers-grave
• https://therealwithdarylanddevon.wordpress.com/tag/haiti/
• https://www.deseretnews.com/article/765588343/Haiti-judge-orders-release-of-2-jailed-Americans.html
• https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/push-chair-team-of-andre-travis-and-zeke-petrie-to-compete-in-half-ironman-competition
• https://thaismiller37.wordpress.com/tag/zeke-petrie/

Namaste

@chiefmappster