I spent this week at a conference for my day job, which meant some challenges as far as sticking to strict low-carb eating and squeezing in workouts. I did okay overall: not a big W, but not a big L either. Let’s call it a draw.
But among all the plenary sessions and concurrent sessions and networking sessions and so forth, there was one highlight that I wanted to share:
Throughout the week, six students who had earned scholarships from our organization each spoke on the main stage. They were asked to write and recite poems on the theme, “I am from…”
It was incredibly powerful, hearing these students who had come from poverty, from abusive homes, from communities ravaged by drugs and violence tell their stories in their own words. But it wasn’t really about where they were from. It was about where they are now — outstanding graduates of America’s community colleges — and where they are going next — to four-year schools, to serve their communities, to fulfill visions of changing the world. Each one received a standing ovation from the 2,000 educators in the crowd.
The last night of the conference featured a reception for the young scholars, and a chance for us attendees to meet them face-to-face. It was the one session I refused to miss.
In particular, there was one young man I wanted to meet. His name was Tommy McCall, and he was generous enough to share his “I am from” poem with me for publication in this blog:
I am Tommy Elisha McCall
I am from Yaquanda, my mother
Who homeschooled me and taught me everything I know
I am from a family of believers
A household where we prayed every morning and every night
Waking up early every Sunday
To attend church and hear good news
I am from Arielle, Arionne, and Timothy
My three siblings who I did everything with
Fighting over the silliest of things
But also my built-in best friends
I am from traveling, traveling, and more traveling
Whether that was going with my dad to work
Or supporting my mom,
As she preaches in many cities around the state
I am from my grandmother
Who picked me up and let me stay the night
When I had trouble sleeping
I am from North Florida Christian High School playing multiple sports
I am from childhood teasing
I am from being a stutterer struggling to speak clearly and get my words out
I am from having to go to speech therapy every day
And being made fun of by other kids
Because I had difficulties forming a simple sentence and expressing my thoughts
I am from Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
I was 14 years old and had, constant, uncontrollable seizures
There were many hospital and neurologist visits
I was afraid to be in any public setting
And I was terrified of having another seizure and causing a scene
Feeling like an abnormal kid
I was teased for not being able
To do simple things that all the other kids were able to
However I am from family and lifelong friends who cared
And supported me through a difficult and scary period in my life
I am from a God who I could talk to
During the good times, and the hardest times
He was available at anytime of the day
Even though epilepsy has had many difficulties and setbacks
Prayer and God’s grace is what got me get through it all
I am from Tallahassee Community College
Where I am receiving my Associates of Arts Degree
Where I was able to find many opportunities
and grow as a student through mentorship, networking, and critical thinking
I am from being a shy and quiet student
To coming out of my shell and wanting to be involved
I have a passion to remind everybody
That if you have a dream, nothing can stop you from achieving it, if you look at the good, rather than the bad.
I had passion to become a leader
And I was constantly looking for ways to lead in my life
I went from being a regular student at Tallahassee Community College
To becoming the Student Body President
I went from stuttering and constant speech therapy
To being the student speaker at graduation
I went from epilepsy and being discouraged and uncertain about the future
To using Adversity as a fuel to go above and beyond
Most people see epilepsy as a curse, but epilepsy has been a gift in my life
It has taught me that the difficulties in life make us who we are today
That the trials we face, give us an opportunity to not only beat the odds
But also to exceed everybody’s expectations
I would be nowhere near where I am today
If it was not for my epilepsy, and other trials that I have faced.
I have a passion to continue my education
At Florida State University in Sports Management
And continue to lead and encourage others
As I have been led and encouraged in my life
I am Tommy Elisha McCall
I was so struck by his simple, straightforward description of what it’s like to live with epilepsy — to always have that nagging fear at the back of your mind, that this might be the day, or the place — and that nagging shame of “causing a scene.” But more importantly, I was moved by his acceptance of epilepsy as not just a difficulty to overcome, but a gift that has made him stronger. When I stood and clapped, I had a serious lump in my throat.
So I made it my mission to chase him down and thank him at that reception, on behalf of all of us, for sharing his experience and the wisdom of his young years. I found him to be a kind, soft-spoken young man, and we had a great conversation. I can tell he’s a kid who’s going places.
I know well how hard it is to admit publicly that epilepsy is part of your life. Despite writing this blog for years, and even writing a book about it, I still struggle. I can’t imagine standing in front of thousands of people and talking about it. That’s why I really admire this young man.
One of the other keynote speakers said that education is the opposite of stigma. I like that. And I know that by educating the audience about his experience, Tommy did his part to chip away at the stigma around epilepsy. I only hope that in my small way, I can do the same.