On August 15, 1992, I was robbed at gunpoint, shot in the neck and left paralyzed from the neck down and likely fated to live the rest of my life confined to a wheelchair. Rather than lying in bed feeling sorry myself, I inevitably decided to accept God's grace to have life and have it more abundantly by making a difference, not only in my life but in the lives of others.

After my paralysis, my sensibilities naturally increased, including my ability to reflect on past decisions, life's circumstances, and the inevitable consequences that they create. Faced with an abundance of time to think and observe the world around me, I began to clearly see the course of events that shaped my life and how extreme circumstances, misjudgements and poor decisions led me to that fateful day. Being raped at age 5 and remaining silent about it, not investing in my education and relying too heavily on a dream to become a professional football player, rebelling against authority while in the military which eventually which led to a dishonorable discharge, drinking and partying excessively, and most cathartically, aspiring to be a co-partner/drug dealer with my owner father are all things that contributed to propelling me into a date with despair. These are just a few of the reasons why I have dedicated my life to teaching our youth about pitfalls of blatantly poor decisions and unnecessary risks.