Cerebral Palsy Victim visits Hawkins School

 

Hawkins Elementary and High School students last Friday were treated by a visit and speech by Jerry Traylor who lives in Phoenix, AZ.  He was born with cerebral palsy and faced physical pain and loneliness that few children ever know.  Yet it was this early difficulty that drew others to Jerry in caring and love empowered him to set goals and achieve greatness. 

His message to the students was to take what talents and physical abilities you have and use them to help others.  “You do not have to win and be first in everything you do in life, but rather don’t waste talents you do have and do the best you can”.
 

The students were very frank in their questions and Jerry fired right back with a lot of humor and straight answers.  It was obvious by those in attendance, Jerry had an impact on their lives that will always be remembered as they go on with their lives.
 

Traylor has spoken to over 1 million individuals in nearly 4000 audiences in 49 states and abroad, Fortune 500 Corporate functions, and Professional athletic teams.  He has appeared on the Larry King Show and was featured on Paul Harvey’s ‘Rest of the Story’.  On Saturday night in Longview, Jerry was the Keynote Speaker at the Rotary International District 5830  2006-2007 Conference at the Maude Cobb Activity Center.
 

Rotarians Gipsy Schneider and Superintendent Dan Rose were instrumental in getting Jerry Traylor to Hawkins.  Schneider had been working for months to find a time when Jerry Traylor would be in the area so he could come to Hawkins.  Once the date was locked in for the Rotary Conference in Longview, Dan Rose set things up at the school and provided transportation for Traylor to and from Longview.