Patrick Hughes

My friend Dutch in Seminole Texas sent me this unique story on YouTube.

The young man is Patrick Hughes, Louisville, Kentucky and it describes his magical ride through life. What his parents did to help him be all he can be is just amazing. It reminds me of my cousin Sheila and her husband Paul and how they raised their son Terry. We saw them all Christmas Eve again, a month ago!

"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 seem overwhelming to you and me, Patrick has overcome these physical issues to excel as a musician and student. 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 School of Music Marching and Pep Bands with help from his father (Patrick John Hughes), who tirelessly maneuvers hiswheel chair through the formations with the other 220+ members of the Cardinal Marching Band. Patrick is usually a straight 'A' student, having received only 6 'B's' during his entire educational experience - up toand including his junior year of college (3.9 gpa).

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 achievethese heights. He has been featured on ESPN, ABC-TV, Oprah, CBS-TV, The Ellen Show, Extreme MakeOver Home Edition, FOX-TV, CSTV, NBC-TV, 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/world."

I just love stories like this. Do you have one?

Ed Winkle