Egret (Raleigh Perry) was a kindred spirit who, despite a valiant effort, lost the physical battle against cancer, but not the mental one. With the same tenacity he showed while completing the 2009 Everglades Challenge, he refused to allow the diagnosis to erode his spirit, which remained upbeat and infused with optimism until the very end. WaterTribe became an important part of his identity, and while he was unable to clearly see those who befriended him, you continued to touch his life in a very important way as he relived the memory of that improbable journey. He allowed neither his blindness, nor the pain and diminished function of the single leg he possessed to keep him from fulfilling his dream. Indeed, despite the formidable medical odds stacked against him, he intended to begin training for yet another trek to Key Largo as soon as his chemotherapy ended. In true Verlen Kruger fashion, he regarded his grim prognosis as just another of a succession of challenges, with full confidence that he would be adding another EC to that list. His final wish was to complete one more Everglades Challenge, and in March he will.
Egret's ultimate challenge
(9 posts) (7 voices)-
It is an honor to have people like Egret in the Tribe. He was and is an inspiration to all of us. Rest in peace Egret.
Posted 10 months ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterPelican, I am going through a similar situation with my dad. The dignity in which you shared Egret's story is inspiring. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you on the beach for next EC.
Posted 10 months ago # -
CrazyRussian
Member -
waveuponwave
Member
Egret inspired and touched the lives of my students, myself, and so many others in many meaningful ways with his courageous, indomitable spirit, his triumphs over incredible adversities, and his caring and very human quest to be all that he could be--and then some. In all of this, he was the living embodiment of RFK's words, "Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why'? I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not'?" Egret and Pelican's "kindred spirits " EC2009 adventure reverberates with life-lessons made real: of perseverance and "courage-to-be" determination, of "band of brothers" respect, encouragement, and team-work, of battling obstacles with flexibility and creativity of thought, and of transcending challenges within challenges with expertise, equanimity, and the enduring qualities of friendship. Upon learning of Egret's ultimate challenge, that of battling cancer, my students sent Egret well wishes and a student-directed DVD of a guided tour of their school made especially for Egret, which included a performance by the entire high school band of the song "You Raise Me Up" for Egret in his honor. In memoriam to Egret and with heartfelt gratitude for his inspiration and courage, here is a link to another version of this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xj8wHfBKoRU&vq=hd1080Posted 10 months ago # -
waveuponwave
Member(Here is a second posting of my WT thread with the link to the song now working.)
Egret inspired and touched the lives of my students, myself, and so many others in many meaningful ways with his courageous, indomitable spirit, his triumphs over incredible adversities, and his caring and very human quest to be all that he could be--and then some. In all of this, he was the living embodiment of RFK's words, "Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why'? I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not'?" Egret and Pelican's "kindred spirits " EC2009 adventure reverberates with life-lessons made real: of perseverance and "courage-to-be" determination, of "band of brothers" respect, encouragement, and team-work, of battling obstacles with flexibility and creativity of thought, and of transcending challenges within challenges with expertise, equanimity, and the enduring qualities of friendship. Upon learning of Egret's ultimate challenge, that of battling cancer, my students sent Egret well wishes and a student-directed DVD of a guided tour of their school made especially for Egret, which included a performance by the entire high school band of the song "You Raise Me Up" for Egret in his honor. In memoriam to Egret and with heartfelt gratitude for his inspiration and courage, here is a link to another version of this song.
Posted 10 months ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.