When it seems like the news these days is filled with talk of crime, corruption in politics, and of course, good olβ fashioned American racism, itβs always nice to hear a motivational story every now and again.
On January 14, 2012, Wesley Hamiltonβafter a brief altercation with a stranger outside of an apartment complexβwas shot in the abdomen, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. It was a day that would forever change his life, but in time, it made him a better man and an inspiration for so many others.
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Hamilton founded Disabled But Not Really in 2017, a nonprofit that provides physical training, nutritional coaching, and the tools to help disabled men and women build confidence, and not be defined by their limitations.
According to the Kansas City Star, Hamilton was given a $1 million donation for his nonprofit during Good Morning America on Wednesday.
The $1 million donation came from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, the largest private funder of spinal cord injury research, training, rehabilitation and support in North America. Hamilton was brought to tears when he got the news. Hell, even I started crying.
It was a beautiful sight. The audience was yelling, Hamilton was covered in confettiβman, I thought it was the NBA Finals.
βThey heard about you, and theyβve been following you and they love your story and what youβve done,β GMA anchor T.J. Holmes told Hamilton. βThis is real, for you to continue your work.β
βThank you to everyone that has been believing, and watching the journey,β Hamilton responded. βItβs always been about the people weβve been serving. Iβm just grateful.β
After his paralysis in 2012, Hamilton had thoughts of suicide, and wasnβt happy with his life at the time, GMA reports. Suffering through depression, he understood that he was not just living for himself, but also for his daughter, Nevaeh.
βMy dadβs a superhero to me because he helped me out. He motivates me,β Nevaeh told Good Morning America. βMy dad is literally the most amazing person I know.β
Almost a decade after his shooting, Hamilton remains grateful about the outcome.
βThe man who tried to take my life gave me life. Iβm living my purpose, and everybody is seeing it,β he told GMA. βFollow your dreams despite the circumstances that happen to you.β
Now, let me get back to cutting more onions.
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Straight From
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