Publication: The Exceptional Parent
Publication Date: 01-APR-02
Format: Online - approximately 3768 words
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Author: Kirkland, Anne
Article Excerpt
In 1989 Pete Zeidner decided he would make a difference. From birth he had battled cerebral palsy to live independently. With the help of two strong and supportive parents and an extraordinary determination and belief in himself, he had succeeded to a remarkable degree. He attended regular schools from seventh grade on and graduated from Kent State University in 1986. But a college education didn't open the doors that Pete hoped it would. Though he went on countless interviews, he always seemed to come up empty-handed. Understandably, he became extremely angry and frustrated and suspected that, due to his disability, no one would give him the opportunity to use what he had learned in college. Then one day he decided enough was enough. He decided to do something with his life and succeed, even if it didn't involve his degree in marketing. A cycling enthusiast, Pete decided he would raise money for cerebral palsy research by pedaling his custom-built, specially adapted recumbent bike 1,000 miles around the entire perimeter of Ohio. "I believe that anger and frustration are two driving forces in my life, and they can be put to good use in the proper situations," Pete says today. "I was hearing about all of this research being conducted for other conditions like Alzheimer's disease, but I never heard about any research for CP. I decided that was where I could make a difference."
Pete's 28-day ride was so successful at raising awareness--and dollars to fund research--that two years later he started the Pedal with Pete Foundation. Through annual bike-a-thons and other fundraising events, Pete's foundation has to date raised more than $80,000--all for the prevention, treatment and cure of cerebral palsy. No small accomplishment for a first-generation American who has faced more than his share of reversals in his 43 years.
Two Strong Parents
Pete was born in Cleveland in 1958 to parents who immigrated to the US. At first he was not expected to live because of his cerebral palsy. Then, at the age of 4, life dealt him a second cruel blow. His mother was killed in a car accident. When his father Otmar, a physician, remarried, Pete gained a new mother in Haide Zeidner, the person he credits with turning his life around. Refusing to let pity ruin Pete's chances in life, Haide (pronounced HI-dee) chose tough love instead. When Pete was 5, she weaned him off his baby bottle, toilet-trained him and helped him learn to feed and dress himself.
When asked how she had the wisdom not to coddle Pete, Haide answers modestly, crediting her youth and inexperience more than any special insights. It also helped, she says, that, being a stepmother, she didn't experience the guilt that often hampers a biological parent raising a child with disabilities. Instead, she realized that Pete would have to work harder all his life in order to keep up with the rest of the world. Whether or not she made it easy for him now, no one would make it easy for him later.
Today, Pete's praise for Haide is unequivocal. "She accepted me unconditionally as her son, and, although she was very strict with me most of the time, and I hated her for it then, I now realize that she did a great thing for me. I have a lot of inner strength and faith in myself because of Haide's strong belief in tough love."
If Haide was the major influence in...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.
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