North Shore Scout

so heres a little back story. i was diagnost with marfans at a very young age. i had problems growing up like everyone else but with the fatigue problems i couldnt keep up in school. Ds and Fs were the best i could must at times. just before my 13th birthday i have back surgery. the lower back was fused with bone from my hip and the rest of the my back was reinforced with two rodes. top of my hips to the top of my shoulder blades. when i was 18 i had surgery on my heart. i loved it when people asked "how did the heart surgery go?" umm well i died. thee end! lol ive had surgery on both my eyes to replace the lenses. this has changed things so much. i can walk around the house with out glasses on!



when i was 19 i applied for social security disabiliy. i was denied 5 times over 7 years. i finally got the help of a third party company that came along with me to places of work and watched me as i worked. they saw i would work hard but after a few hours i would start to slow down. my mind started to miss details. overall i would start to shut down. with this companies help the judge ruled right in front of me saying "do to fatigue, joint pain, and general health keeping you from working. i hear by rule in your favor" at that point i just broke down crying. i finally had income. i could pay rent, buy food, pay my bills, and still have money left over for a hobby. when i first apply for SSI my father said "when you get this. you will be able to do things." i know thats not a big statement but to me i knew what it ment. now here i am. its been almost 4 years since i got on SSI and i have a lot going on in my life.



i volunteer drive for those who cannot drive themselves. because they cannot drive and are on SSI. SSI reimburses them for what they pay me to drive them. its not a lot but its enough to keep gas in my truck. i also volunteet at the local gun range. just cleaning and mowing not too much stuff. it takes a lot out of me to walk up and down the 300 yard range but thats why i got myself an atv!



so with all that said. heres what i want to do. i wanted to make a youtube channel to show people im not just sitting on my butt getting milk from the government. i want to show people that just because my body is broken my mind doesnt have to be either. i know my story isnt extreme. it doesnt have to be. normal life is hard as it is. im just here to show you and others that you can do something. maybe not be super awesome but you can be known for doing what ever it is good!



Thank you for reading my story!