Patrick Henry Hughes- Making The Most Out Of Life

I have written about Patrick Henry Hughes before, but after watching another video that was forwarded to me recently, I was inspired to write again. He's always worth writing about.

Born without eyes and crippled at birth, Patrick is a musical genius who started playing the piano before his 1st birthday, and requests by his 2nd. He and his parents have never allowed his physical challenges to undermine his potential, and Patrick therefore sees his 'challenges' not as disabilities but as abilities. He plays the piano beautifully, as well as the trumpet.

I initially wrote about the selflessness of Patrick's dad, who works the graveyard shift for UPS (11pm to 6 am) then spends all day long with his son at classes at the University of Lousiville, and then attends marching band practice, where he wheels Patrick around the field while his son plays the trumpet. He also accompanies his son to various events, all over the country and the world, where Patrick has been invited as a keynote speaker. He has also written a book entitled I AM POTENTIAL, which I also wrote about.

He truly is an inspiration to both able-bodied and disabled people. In the following video he says:

" God made me blind and unable to walk, big deal. He gave me the ability to - the musical gifts I have and the great opportunity to meet new people....."

He can also add being an inspiration to others. If a blind, crippled young man can achieve incredible goals, so can we. All it takes is faith and seeing oneself as full of potential.

I AM POTENTIAL - by Patrick Henry Hughes

Over a year ago, I wrote about the selflessness of Patrick Henry Hughes' dad, who has devoted his life to his son who was born with a rare disease that left him with no eyes, and a crippled body. In spite of his handicaps, and with the loving encouragement of his parents, Patrick plays the piano, trumpet, is in college majoring in Spanish and is a member of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band, along with his dad who pushes his wheelchair. He has performed at venues across the nation including the Grand Ole Opry and the Kennedy Center. None of this would have been possible without parents who, coming to terms with a physically less-than-perfect child, came to realize there is potential in every life, and helped their son realize his full potential.

Now Patrick Henry Hughes can add author to his ever-expanding resume. He has written an inspirational book (along with his dad and Bryant Stamford) entitled "I Am Potential- Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams."

In I Am Potential, Patrick Henry and his father share their incredible journey. Simply and candidly written, this book is not only the story of Patrick Henry’s remarkable life, but of the bond between father and son. It is also a guide for those who seek to live their own life more meaningfully each day—demonstrating how with faith, perseverance, and unconditional love, almost anything is possible to achieve.

Their story proves that we can all overcome adversity by accepting and embracing, with gratitude, whatever hand we are dealt, and looking at even the negative in our lives as a gift.

As the title of the first chapter says "When Life Gives You Lemons, Accept Them and Be Grateful".

Patrick Henry Hughes and his selfless Dad- Inspiration for us all

In my humble opinion, one of the most admirable of personal attributes is selflessness, although not many people are endowed with that gift. We usually do things for others because we believe we will somehow gain something, be it material or emotional, from the act of giving, and as long as we don't have to make major sacrifices. Then there are those who give selflessly of themselves, without any expectations, because they simply feel compelled to serve another.

On Father's Day I wrote about Dick Hoyt (Team Hoyt), the selfless father who has been running marathons with his disabled son for years, and here's yet another amazing Dad who has totally devoted his life to helping his son, who was born without eyes and crippled at birth, to fulfill his dreams. Patrick Hughes, though born disabled, was gifted in other ways. He plays the piano beautifully, and the trumpet, and as a college student at the University of Louisville, was asked to join the marching band, wheelchair and all. So Dad works graveyard shift for UPS, so he can sit with his son during classes and band practice, and then wheel him around during the games. Basically Dad has no life, other than work and son, and yet he does it with love and joy.

The son, too, is an inspiration. He does not see himself as 'disabled' but with abilities, and indeed he does have many. I salute them both, and all those others who give of themselves without need for anything in return.

Get out the tissues.