Wounded Iraq War Veteran Sgt. Sam Cila Overcomes the Odds With Plans to Climb Mt Kilimanjaro
Sergeant Sam Cila is an Iraq war veteran who came back a wounded warrior. In 2005, he was wounded by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Cila underwent more than 40 surgeries, ultimately losing his forearm. Now the 38-year-old father is serving as quite the inspiration by demonstrating perseverance through extreme sports. Cila joined Operation Rebound, a part of the Challenged Athletes Foundation which helps wounded vets and first responders get back on their feet by participating in athletic competitions that may seem otherwise impossible.
Cila joined the New York National Guard after 9/11 and says, “The person I am now from the person I was on September 11th is night and day. I realized that there’s more to life than just being concerned about yourself. So I don’t regret
any of it, I don’t regret blast, don’t regret losing my arm. I’ve done more with one hand than I ever accomplished with two.”
Cila has competed in numerous triathlons, cycled the Pacific Coast Highway and finished the Ironman competition in Hawaii. He leaves this Tuesday to climb the Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. He doesn’t plan on stopping there, with hopes to climb three of the highest peaks on each continent.
Take a look at Sgt. Cila's inspirational story and find out how you can support the foundation:
