A young man with physical disabilities has many dreams for his life. He is doing all he can to persue them, much to the delight of his mother.
Sorry, folks, couldn't find a pic to accompany this story, a first for me in a long while. So it's pictureless. *grins*
My sixteen-year-old son, Gabrielo Paulito, has had to live with adversity for all his sixteen years on this earth; yet he has the heart/attitude of a lion.
When he was born sixteen years ago, doctors didn't hold out much hope for him. You see, he was born with very little muscle in his legs and shortened bones that left him smaller than his peers. At the age of sixteen, he is only as tall as our other child, our nine-year-old daughter, Isabella.
Because of his physical challenges, our son cannot walk without help. He walks with the aid of two forearm crutches; yet he moves with the grace of a cheetah. He is incredibly fast on his crutches, and, due to all the years of using the crutches, his arms and shoulders are powerfully built. Even the crutches have never stopped him: he plays baseball on the high school team as an outfielder. He is very proficient.
Gabrielo, in addition to his love for baseball, loves to break dance, play the guitar, attend concerts (he loves all music: country, rap, big band, jazz, Cajun, conjunto, ranchero; doesn't matter), draw/paint, sing, and attend mass every Sunday with the family. He is very intelligent, and he lives life to the full. When he grows up in just a few years, he wants to either become a professional dancer, a professional vocalist, a professional athlete (baseball), or a free-lance artist, specializing in the animation field. He has incredible talent for one so young.
Due to his disability, Gabrielo faces opposition from his peers, even strangers. People don't want to hire him when he applies for a job: they tend to see his disability first instead of focusing on his abilities/talents. He is often stared at or rudely treated. Kids ask personal questions, or adults move away whenever he goes by as if he is carrying an insidious disease like leprosy, ebola, or AIDS, which is a shame. It breaks my heart nearly in two when people don't treat my son like a human being.
Yet even with all that has happened in life, Gabrielo refuses to let narrow-minded people rule his life. He is striving to become the best young man he can possibly be, and he goes through the day, a huge smile on his face. He is absolutely incredible!
I jsut wish people could see Gabrielo as I see him: a young man with much to offer to the world, a gifted athlete, singer, artist. I wish people could read some of the stories he has written or hear him speak about his life with the eloquence of someone much older.
Whenever people see this gentle, compassionate-minded teenager in action, they are always moved. They realize that he is not his disability, but a person who happens to have a disability. He is an inspiration to all young people, and the world can most certainly learn much about the true meaning of "courage" just by spending time with my Gabrielo.
*The End.*
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Reviewed by Shelley Patten-Forster
4/8/2008
Hello Karen,
This was truly an inspirational piece and what a tribute! I can understand why you would be so proud. He sounds like a wonderful person!
As well, I'm sure he is just as proud of his mother! :-)
It's sad to see a young person with a disability such as this, but this one leaves the reader with a positive impression...if he can do with the odds stacked against we can do it. Also makes one appreciate their health. No picture needed, powerful imagery allows the reader a glimpse of his life! Well done!
Blessings,
Joyce B.
You painted a powerful picture with your words, he reminds me a bit of Rebekka Rachel in the fact that he does not let his disability knock him down, this is an amazing write
God Bless
Michelle~
Gabrielo is blessed it is sad he has to go through this experience he has but he is more blessed then most kids. Sounds like he has blessed your life too. The words you used he is not his disablity is so true he is not he is a beautiful child of God who is shining on the world.
Hugs Angela
BRAVO AND APPLAUSE APPLAUSE.... This really stirs me, Karen, and I am on my feet being the FIRST IN LINE to give this beautiful and talented young man a standing O... Tales like this make my heart pound and my blood boil! You show 'em, Gabrielo! We will see his face on billboards and his name in lights one of these days... Well done, Karen! :)) K xx
Yet even with all that has happened in life, Gabrielo refuses to let narrow-minded people rule his life. He is striving to become the best young man he can possibly be
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
GLIMPSE OF AN ANGEL IS NOW AVAILABLE. A PORTION OF ALL SALES WILL GO TO HOSPICE TO THUS ENABLE THEM TO HELP OTHERS WHO ARE SOON TO PASS TO THE OTHER SIDE. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
