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Taking Names and Keeping Score
In the world of music some of the greats of all time, ranging from the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who composed some of his greatest works after becoming deaf, to singers like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Ronnie Millsap who have overcome blindness to become some of the greatest recording artists of all time, fall in the category of those who have persevered and won. In the world of politics many a candidate has been tested in their careers, losing multiple elections before ever winning one. Even Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth and in many people's mind one of our greatest presidents, suffered defeats in his attempts to be elected to the Illinois Assembly and U. S. Senate before winning the presidential election in 1860. The world of sports has certainly had those who have overcome major obstacles to become the success stories they are. Included in that group are the likes of Jim Abbott, Charley Boswell, Tom Dempsey, Pete Gray, Jimmy Piersall, and Wilma Rudolph Ward to name a few. The list could go on and on with those who have willed themselves to succeed despite all the things standing in their way being found in every facet of our lives as we know them today. Putting it in perspective and bringing it closer to home, I was made aware of such a story of perseverance when I attended the formal signing ceremony for Shamus Hudson held at the Thomasville High School library this past week. The signing with Faulkner University, which is recapped in a story with an accompanying picture elsewhere in this paper, is a dream come true for Hudson who was an outstanding football player for Thomasville High School during his career from 2002 through 2005. One of the most polite and respectful young men I have ever known, Shamus from his earliest days in school was always projected by those that observed him as a can't miss on the football field. His prowess in the game became evident as early as his days in peewee football and continued as he made his way through middle school on to the high school ranks. As expected all along the way he lived up to the projections that had been made and in some ways exceeded them. It wasn't always easy however as two times in his career knee injuries sidelined him and raised a question as to whether it might be an end to a promis- ing future. To his credit he wasn't going to let a little thing like a knee injury end his pursuit of his dream and bounced back with a renewed passion for the game both times. In his junior and senior seasons his play not only garnered him recognition on the local and state level, but also attracted the attention of many college scouts. All indications were that he was on the verge of seeing his dream of playing college football come true. But that's when one of those major obstacles in life arose, not only threatening his dream but his self esteem as well. Having been diagnosed with a learning disability, possibly related to a near death experience with SIDS when he was 2 1/2 months old, his journey through school put him on an educational track that qualified him to graduate from high school but that did not make it possible for him to meet all the academic qualifications necessary to get into the colleges where there was interest in him playing football while he furthered his education. Not being willing to give up on his dream he would not just resign himself to moving on with his life. With the help of God, his mother Linda Hudson and other family and friends who encouraged him he was able to find the solution to his problem. For his mother it was nothing more than an answer to prayer. While desperately looking for help to solve the problem, Mrs. Hudson became aware of an on line program where Shamus could work on completing those things required to qualify him academically. He has spent the past year working to support himself while completing that on line program which has made it possible for him to get started last week on the path that will finally allow him to fulfill his dream. In so doing he has proven to the rest of us once again that when there is a will there is a way and that perseverance does pay off. Until next time.........be safe! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
