As a person with a disability, I have had to overcome many obstacles and challenges over my life. At the age of 6 months I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), which was due to a lack of oxygen at birth. The Mayo Clinic defines Cerebral Palsy as a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by an insult to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.
CP has made everyday tasks (ADLs) such as, eating, walking, typing, extremely difficult. However, it has also taught me how to persevere while not letting my disability define me. It was engrained in me through my parents and support system, to never give up on my goals.
Aside from a very encouraging support system, I found strength through my faith in Jesus Christ from a very young age. Being raised in the church, I have always heard about how Jesus loves me and wants what's best for me. However, I did not start taking my faith seriously until high school, when I started attending youth group and Young Life regularly. I found in Young Life, as well as church, the support beyond my family and many therapists that encouraged me to live life to the fullest. This provided me a solid group of friends that I have never had before. These friends provided encouragement to step out of my comfort zone and try things, such as being on the track team.
This new confidence I found through my faith, family and my friends, enabled me to go away to George Fox University (Newberg, OR.), on a scholarship through the Act Six Leadership Initiative (founded by Northwest Leadership Foundation and the Portland Leadership Foundation), and earn a bachelors degree in Christian Ministries. During my time at George Fox, the university ranked no. 134 on Forbes' "America's Best Colleges" list and was named the top ranked Christian college in the northwest. It was through my studies and experiences at George Fox where I developed a heart for the disability community in the Portland metro area and eventually worldwide. I learned that I have a heart for people with disabilities to have the opportunity to live life to the fullest, especially high school kids.
Since graduating from George Fox, I have devoted my time and resources to improving the quality of life of others, particularly those who have been impacted by disability, as-well-as educating about physical and emotional hurdles to young entrepreneurs. I have done this through promoting disability awareness in public schools, mentorship, disabilities advocacy, disabilities ministries and educating the general public through public speaking engagements. I look forward to continuing to make an impact city wide, state wide and globally through different endeavors.
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Hi Everyone,
Two weeks in and we are almost halfway to my goal! Thank you so much for being a part of this project!
I wanted to take a minute and talk a little bit about why I believe this book is so important at this time in our society. Since 1993 the online community has grown to approximately 3 billion people. Within the next 3 years, or around 2018, the online community is projected to grow another 3 billion, most of whom are coming from poverty stricken areas of our world. For the first time they're gaining an opportunity to participate in the global economy with entrepreneurial ventures and to share their purpose with a broader platform.
In addition to this, every year around this time, we have new college graduates entering corporate america and other aspects of the workforce. Many of these graduates will have 10-15 jobs before retirement age. Although our job market is becoming healthier, our college graduates are becoming discouraged or unmotivated because they can't find a job in their field right off the bat. This is one of the reasons that we have millennials moving back home with their parents. (The Today Show did a segment on this topic this morning. I encourage you to watch it on the website for more information.)
You might be thinking, "This information is great, but what does it have to do with your book and your mission?" If I had to sum up my mission in one sentence it would be, "my purpose is to assist others in finding their purpose through helping them overcome life's challenges." The most efficient way for me to fulfill my purpose is by sharing my story and being reliable to the raising billions and the recent graduates. One thing that I emphasize in this book as part of the 6 links, is you have to link up. What I mean by this, is you have to find a mentor who has gone through similar struggles and is further along in their journey. Mentors guide us through sharing their knowledge and experience which can act as a road map to our success.
Thank you once again for contributing to my publishizer campaign. Now that you know more about my life and my mission, would you consider sharing this campaign with 3 other people? This will help me CRUSH my goal and gain exposure with publishers.
Thanks,
Blake Shelley
Blakeshelley.com