This morning, while surfing the net, I came across this video about Patrick Hughes, a young man at Univ. of Louisville who was born blind and crippled and yet now plays the piano beautifully as well as "marches" in the Louisville marching band.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
After watching the video, I was just so awed and inspired and sauntered to his official website HERE. I take my hats off to Patrick's parents, especially his dad, for having such deep love, devotion to Patrick. I am also deeply inspired by a blog reader, Alan, who together with his wife, has been facing and overcoming many challenges in their journey with their son. This post is specially dedicated to Alan and his family (and other readers who have their own challenges to face) with the prayer that a wonderful breakthrough is your to claim!
The following excerpt is from Patrick Hughes' official website:
What's holding you back?
What's keeping you from reaching your full potential?
Patrick is a remarkable young man who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk. Additionally, two steel rods were surgically attached to Patrick's spine to correct scoliosis.
Despite circumstances that may seem overwhelming, Patrick has overcome these physical issues to excel as a musician, student, performer and public speaker. Patrick started playing the piano at the age of only nine months, and also plays the trumpet and sings.
He even participates in the University of Louisville Marching Band with help from his father, Patrick John Hughes, who tirelessly maneuvers his wheel chair through the formations with the other 220+ members of the Cardinal Marching Band.
Patrick is usually a straight 'A' student, having received only 3 'B's' during his entire
primary/secondary educational experience and graduated from U of L magna cum laude. Patrick is a Spanish language major and speaks Spanish fluently.
A virtuoso pianist, vocalist and trumpet player, Patrick has won or finished very high in numerous competitions, as well as winning awards acknowledging the circumstances he has overcome to achieve these heights. He has been featured on ESPN, ABC-TV, Oprah, CBS-TV, The Ellen Show, Extreme Make Over Home Edition, FOX-TV, CSTV, NBC-TV, The Today Show, Million Dollar Round Table, The Grand Ole Opry, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Star Magazine, and many, many others.
Patrick has made appearances from California to New York and Chicago to Texas and Miami and countless points in between, even performing in Asia, Canada, South America and Europe. His first book, I AM POTENTIAL, is published and available around the country and world in different languages. He has recorded 2 CD's.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOS ON PATRICK HENRY HUGHES.
4 comments to What Is Holding You Back?
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Unknown Thanks, Mamasita! I also cried a lot! Most inspiring. Great to hear from you again, my friend. Take care and have a great weekend!
Salam
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Anonymous Paula, thanks for such and inspiring and touching video clip. So much effort and patience have been spent by Patrick Hughes' parents especially the father in nurturing and helping the son to become what he is today. It should motivate parents to be like them and more so for parents who have children who are mentally and physically challenged. Without being "extra' or doing the "extra', parents of such children will find it hard to cope with their children's disability.
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Unknown Dear Koonoon
My grateful thanks to you for your heartfelt response to this moving story of Patrick Hughes. I always believe parenting is one of the most difficult roles that anyone could have. Indeed, it takes a lot for parents of special children to walk the extra mile. Take care and God bless you and yours always. Hope to hear more of your responses in future. Stay in touch.
Cheers
mamasita Paula..I cried like mad! Thanks! What a beautiful story!