Those of you who are regulars here know that Twitter and now Twylah are important ways that we share our message about overcoming adversity.
We have some really special friends on Twitter and some have been friends for quite a long time. One of those special friends is Doug. Doug commented on yesterday’s post and it seemed like the perfect time to ask him if he would consider sharing his story.
Guess what? He said, “Yes.”
Doug’s life is all about overcoming adversity. He has given permission to share his story. To use Doug’s words, “I hope it will help empower kids to overcome no matter what.”
Doug has a blood clotting disorder that has caused him to be hospitalized quite a few times. In addition to a learning disability that makes it difficult for him to spell and keep his thoughts in order, he has coordination problems.
If you are thinking about feeling sorry for Doug, DON’T! He has more strength, ability to overcome and “positivity” than most people in this world could ever dream of having.
We asked Doug a few questions and this is what he said,
“It is not our handicap that holds us back but the handicap of the so called normal people that don’t let us try that holds us back.
I just won’t give up on my dreams for if I had then I would have never graduated college for they told me that I would never get through high school.
With help and a never give up attitude, May 1990 I graduated with a degree in Political Science and History. This is how I handle things by just not giving up when everyone says I can’t.”
For you parents, teachers, aunts, uncles and friends of kids with any “dif-ability” pay close attention because you are the ones who can and will make the difference in whether these kids will succeed or fail.
When Doug was asked about what helped him to have the strength and persistence to overcome the obstacles that came in his way he said, “It was my teacher in my independent living class. I got help from the learning center at colle
ge and from some very special people that believed in me.”
Learn from Doug because he is an expert in what it takes to overcome adversity and achieve success.
Believe in the kids you love so that they will believe in themselves.
Thank you Doug for sharing your story and making a difference!
You are the man!
Photo: LifeSupercharger
