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"The allure of it is its difficulty, its magnitudeand the inevitability of self-growth through the project," Posner told Billboard before he began. "I don't feel like I'm walking to show people who I am. I'm walking to find out who I'll become." He set off from Astbury Park, New Jersey on April 15, on a diagonal trajectory that would take him all the way to Venice Beach, California, via his hometown of Detroit.
Posner was a staggering 1,632 miles into the journey when an encounter with a rattlesnake in Colorado brought his walk to a halt. "Crazy day yesterday," he wrote on Instagram. "I had just crushed 16 miles and was going for 8 more when I got bit by a baby rattlesnake! That venom is no joke!" Posner was air-lifted to a hospital where he was treated in time.
Whatup doe!!! Crazy day yesterday! I had just crushed 16 miles and was going for 8 more when I got bit by a baby rattlesnake! That venom is no joke! I got to the hospital and got the anti-venom in time. Shout outs to G and Mike from the chopper team and Bo and Cassie and Whitney (my nurses). Ill be here a few days and will not be able to walk for several weeks but enjoying the AC and the nice bed, havent had those in a while Hahahaha! Cant wait to get back on The Walk! KEEP GOING!!!!!! A post shared by Mike Posner (@mikeposner) on Aug 8, 2019 at 8:14am PDT
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His injury does mean, unfortunately, that there may be a significant delay in Posner reaching his destination. "From 24 miles per day to using this walker to get to bathroom," he wrote in an update over the weekend, adding: "Im on my way back. Gonna rebuild with patience and equanimity."
From 24 miles per day to using this walker to get to bathroom. Im on my way back. Gonna rebuild with patience and equanimity. HUGE shout outs to Stephanie, Fergie, Bo, Angie, Eddie, mike, dr black, dr van Birmingham, dr Gordon, dr Shapiro, Natalie, carol, Megan, Jeremy, and my whole family in ICU. Molly and her husband from PT are gonna come help me walk again tomorrow. KEEP GOING. A post shared by Mike Posner (@mikeposner) on Aug 10, 2019 at 6:41am PDT
In another post which he shared to Instagram today, Posner reiterated his positive outlook, and assured fans that he won't be letting this setback faze him.
I knew walking across America was going to be dangerous. I knew I could die doing it. I still might. So dont feel sorry for me. Im proud Im in this hospital after chasing my dream and not sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Im proud of this pain. If you understand this message, do not leave me sympathy comments, just write KEEP GOING. A post shared by Mike Posner (@mikeposner) on Aug 11, 2019 at 5:19am PDT
"I knew walking across America was going to be dangerous," he said. "I knew I could die doing it. I still might. So dont feel sorry for me. Im proud Im in this hospital after chasing my dream and not sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Im proud of this pain. If you understand this message, do not leave me sympathy comments, just write KEEP GOING."