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Man who is True to Himself despite Life Altering Adversity
Intro: Joey Wells has had a rare form of muscular dystrophy since birth and wasn’t expected to live past age 1. Three decades later Joey is an author and speaker, sharing how he and others can rise above their conditions to live productive lives.
Q&A:
1) How has having Muscular Dystrophy affected your life?
Answer: It has transformed me into a completely different person than I would have been if I could walk and breath. I was thinking about this the other day if I haven’t had been born with MD I probably would never have lived in North Dakota. Instead, I’d likely be living in my beloved home state of Texas where I would have followed in my brothers footsteps being multi-sport athlete. Since day one, people looked at me like what is wrong with him? I would have liked being able to have experienced traveling seeing different cultures. Instead, I’ve spent lots of time fighting for life, laying in a hospital beds in the I.C.U. But it was in the I.C.U. where I learned to observe and read people’s body language and I learned how to respond to people who show needs nonverbally and I’m able to help pick their day. With these events happening in my life I definitely learned respect, to be gracious, and help those in need by treating them well as so many have treated me.
2) What was your biggest challenge growing up, physically, emotionally, or otherwise?
Answer: I would say there were a handful of times I have truly had struggles emotionally because to survive this lifestyle you have to be strong mentally to be able to block out many things. Block out your fear of being without loved ones, block out the pain that makes you scream through your skin and when your lungs vacuum your every breath to where they are sucked in and your moving every part of your body to get one single breath then repeat for days or weeks or even months at a time you can’t break focus. I would say biggest challenge was physically just trying to find ways to do things on my own and to be more independent.
3) Where have you lived over your years? What was your favorite and least favorite things about where you lived? And please share some of your experiences with your family members.
Answer: I lived mostly in Nome, but also had stints in Lisbon and Fargo. I lived in North Dakota for eleven years as we moved there from Yorktown, Texas at age of seven. I learned a great deal being in small village of Nome and then moving to Fargo later on. I had a wide range. I got to take in knowledge wise from gardening to working in an office. My favorite thing was I learned what the definition of family meant as I grew up with family down block in Nome and we always are there when needed. Least favorite thing was so many sex offenders on the news and not locked up. After leaving North Dakota I lived in LA for five years. Finally, I moved to where I am living now in Tempe, AZ for last seven years.
4) Tell us about your book, “Through My Eyes.” Why did you write it, what other books/materials have you written? Is this interest in writing new or did you enjoy writing when you were growing up? What are your plans/goals with this book?
Answer: I wrote “Through My Eyes: verse 8.8.08” ten years ago. It’s a book of poems that won a John Lennon award for its 21 poems and 21 pictures. It had a much more upbeat vibe, showing everyone, hey, its ok to be different and no matter what you go through, if your desire is strong, you can get through it. Over time I had wanted to do other projects and started a second book of poems, but health problems and schedule challenges curtailed those plans. Doctors tell me I’m on borrowed time so I wrote my book in an effort to leave a legacy, hoping its sales will help take care of my family and make a difference in the lives of other people and carry on even after I am gone Personally, I hate reading and hated doing reports in school, but I have always been creative and loved rap growing up and I took that ability of rhyming words to another level to make it in a way to flip definitions while keeping the flow of the piece to maximize the feeling brought out of it when read. I love sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys all day Vikqueens can take a hike for all those fans out there lol. I also play power soccer and have won 7 tournament MVPs. I live for the moment now for these 2 things. 1. do everything I can to take care of my family and loved ones while having memories being made at same time. And in terms of future good memories, I hope to enjoy passionate and romantic moments with a gorgeous woman I can share time with. For there is no better feeling for a person personally as sharing moment with another who is in tuned with me to share feelings and feel wanted, desired and loved.
5) How did you decide on the title? What hobbies do you have? And is there anything we left out or is there anything else we can help you promote?
Answer: I have a saying that “I may not be the strongest physically, but I damn sure was the strongest sperm.” I also told my mom at that time I would name my true story MOMMA GAVE BIRTH TO GREATNESS for she made it possible.
6) Where may those in our audience get more information on your book and your intriguing life?
Answer: At: JoeyWells.net
Video interview demo: http://joeywells.net/videos002.html