It’s been about a year and five months since the near-fatal car accident. His skin hasn’t recovered completely and he still doesn’t have any hands yet. And sadly, I guess I’m one of the only old homies from this city who have hit him up since he moved. Straight up, his life turned to shit.

Yet this guy continues to inspire me. When I hung out with him on Sunday, I was still able to chop it up and laugh with him like the same ol’ guy. John tells me that he’s getting a job as a sponsored touring spokesman for people like him all around the country. Not only that, but his disability is providing him with a full ride scholarship to practically any college of his choice. He says the days are looking better. He’s even going to get some technically advanced prosthetic hands soon.

However, it blew my mind when he stated that this accident was a “blessing in the sky.” Like hold up, you’d expect someone to be depressed after all that wouldn’t you? But naw, not John. He’s happy to not be partying, smoking, and voluntarily screwing up his life with the crowd back home. He’s showing up on the news and now his story & his name are spreading through different cities and states. 

And it’s just amazing how strong this guy is. He is overcoming the most difficult struggle that I’ve ever seen a high school kid face. He claims that this tragedy that nearly killed him was actually the best thing to happen to him.

Dang. Stay up man, I’m praying for you…always.