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Be the inspiration behind a smile!

I was born into this world with a condition known as cerebral palsy. My parents were told that I would never walk or talk and would always be severely handicapped. As far back as I can remember, my parents never treated me as a handicap even tho the world had already given me the label.

At the age of two, my parents were encouraged to enroll me in a school called the Children Learning Center. There, I was surrounded by other children with severe disabilities. What I remember most about my school days was the love I received from the teachers and staff at the Center. School days at the center were kind of like kindergarten, I guess.

We had many activities, including exercise and physical therapy. At the age of 4, I got my first electric wheelchair. Finally, I gained new independence. Now I could go -- and go I did, hitting anything in my way. After much practice, I became a pretty good driver, even though I still occasionally make a few scratches and dents here and there.

I spent four years going to school getting ready for what we called big school. That was the name we had for public school. After much preparation for big school, the day finally arrived for me to start. I went to the learning center for a half day and big school a half day. Each day after lunch, I would head out on my chair to big school which was located next door to South Elementary School. I was ready for big school, but they sure weren't ready for me.

At big school, my teacher was not prepared for the challenges that laid ahead. My teacher had no expectations at all for me. I was placed in an area of the class room where I was unable to see the chalk board. People could not understand why I was not grasping the information placed on the board-- and they call themselves normal! My dad had to educate the teachers so they could educate me.

Well, my first year in big school came and went with me being promoted to the second grade having learned very little. In second grade, I went to big school full time. My second grade teacher had been told that my I.Q. was normal so she thought I was a genius. Her expectations were entirely opposite of my first grade teacher.

Many were the struggles trying to keep up the pace. This was a new experience for the Person County School System. They were trying their very best to educate a handicapped child, and we learned as we went. My first week in second grade, I was not allowed to go outside at recess because the teacher was afraid that I might overturn my wheelchair. I was placed at the door where I could watch the other children play. I told my Dad what was happening, and he got that straightened out pretty quickly.

Classrooms were hard for me to get into and out of because there were no ramps in those days. Everywhere I went, there seemed to be a physical barrier to stop me. Sometimes there were simple solutions to correct the problems but there was always the question: "Who is going to pay for it?" I have seen many improvements in this area, but there is much more to be done.

Well, second grade came and went with me learning very little. It was decided that the next fall I would attend North End Elementary School, since it was the school district where I lived. My parents thought that I should repeat the second grade since my grades had been so poor. I started to North End that fall and was placed in Mrs. Joan Rogers second grade class. I didn't particular enjoy the idea of repeating second grade, but it proved to be a smart move. Mrs Rogers was very concerned with my achievements and sought ways to improvise so I could complete my work. She did a lot of simple things, like taping my paper to the desk so I would not knock it off. She found ways that I could complete my work. Some things took me a little longer, but she looked for quality rather than quantity.

Now things begin to look better. I was getting smarter and so was my teacher. My second, second grade was a big success. At North End everybody knew everybody. My next four teachers knew sooner or later that I would be in their class. I guess they began to talk among themselves, getting tips on what to do with me. Whatever the case, it seemed to be working out. There were still many obstacles to overcome. Without the ability to write and me speaking a foreign language that the teachers didn't understand, it was difficult for me to express what I knew. Sometimes my Dad would come to class and interpret for me when I would take a spelling test.

As I completed elementary school, I made many friends who always helped me in any way possible. Improvements were made at North End so I could go almost anywhere in the school. Even though there are still many physical barriers that prevent me from going places, people are the ones who cause the greatest pain. Sometimes people act like they are afraid to talk to me. Handicapped people are not looking for your sympathy; we desire your kindness and friendship just like everyone else. If you believe that making buildings and other places handicap assessable is the right thing to do, then I challenge you to begin by making yourself handicap accessible. Be a friend, educate yourself, understand that we may do things a little differently than you, but our hearts are the same.

As I continued through junior high school, many of the physical barriers had already been corrected. Since I was now firmly planted into the school system, they had time to prepare for my arrival on the scene. I enjoyed the challenges that were placed before me, and I took great pride in my accomplishments. My junior high school years seemed to pass by in a flash.

As I began high school at Person Senior High, I was excited to be there. But guess what --- it was a multi-level school with no elevator. I spent a lot of time riding around and around the building getting to classes. I have many fond memories of my high school days, but the greatest day was my graduation. I had many mixed emotions --- I was proud of this accomplishment, but I knew I was going to miss my many friends that I had made over the years. I was right, I still do miss them. If any of you guys read this page I would like for you to know that I think of you often and I still love you.

After graduation, I enrolled at PCC (Piedmont Community College) and took many general classes. Later, I began studies that led to a degree in computers. In June of 1997, I graduated with an Associate Degree in Microcomputer Systems Technology. While at PCC, I decided to run for Parliamentarian of the Student Government. I put my name in the hat, but when the Dean of students hear about it He didn't think I was capable of doing the job and discouraged me from running. He met with my Dad and we decided to withdraw from the election. Meanwhile the word got out at school that I had withdrew from the election and my name was removed from the ballots. My friends were a little hot under the collar about the situation. On election day the students wrote in my name on the ballot and I won by a landslide. I thought to myself, YES! YES!, NICE GUYS DO WIN SOMETIMES!

A week after my graduation I was in a head-on collision. I was thrown out of my wheelchair in the rear of the van and I landed on the dash. My wheelchair was totally destroyed, and if I hadn't been thrown out I probably would have been killed. The lady that hit us was killed instantly and my dad and I were pretty banged up. Thank God that he kept us through it. Now I have a different outlook on life. I don't take life for granite anymore, because you can lose it in a heartbeat.

In the year of 2000, I started a DJ business. It was very hard that first year buying all my DJ equipment all by myself but I brought one piece at a time. Today i can proudly say that I'm one of the top DJ in N C.

2006: I moved to Roanoke Rapids NC due to my mom's new job. It was hard at first moving to a new town and not knowing anyone. After a few years of living here I have adjusted well and now I love it. I live in an awesome neighbor hood. Although I have made a lot of new friends, I miss seeing my family and friends back home but I stay in touch with them through email, facebook, and I visit them often.

In 2007 I was placed on the Cammy’s website in North Myrtle Beach S.C as one of their preferred DJ's. I'm now one of the DJ's who rates the beach music songs that go on the beachmusic45.com monthly chart. This website is the biggest beach music chart in the USA. Beach music is my favorite and I enjoy visiting Fat Harold’s Beach Club In N. Myrtle Beach and cruising Carolina Ocean Drive where shagging got its start years ago. In 2008 I started an online radio show called on the beach with DJ Ray Ray. In 2009 I open up an online music store with the help of khp record company. In 2010 my radio show was nominated for internet beach music radio show of the year. In the spring of 2011, I was featured in the North Carolina Eastern Living Magazine. Thanks to Jay Jenkins for doing a wonderful job on the article.

My next goal is finding a decent woman who will love me unconditionally.

Thanks to a great number of people who have always been there to encourage me along the way especially my mom and dad. I press on to higher heights.