Stephen King

Stephen King.  It's a name that brings many different pictures and images to one.  Some may form images of an evil clown, werewolves or of Kathy Bates carrying a sledge hammer.  Regardless of whether they are familiar with the works of Stephen King, the majority of people have at least heard his name.  Indeed, Stephen King is a well renowned writer.  He has made millions off the royalties of his novels and has influenced up to three generations of readers up until this point in time.  However, things were not always so great for the man named Stephen King. At one point in his life, Stephen King was practically broke living in a doublewide trailer and driving a rust-bucket Buick held together with bailing wire and duct tape. He couldnt even afford his own typewriter and had to borrow one from his wife, Tabitha.

Before his first book, Carrie, was published, it had been rejected up to 30 times.  In fact, it  may never have been published at all if not for the support of his wife.  With a lack of a steady income and a family to support, King was looking to publish something that would bring him some decent royalties.  The novel Carrie is about a repressed telekinetic girl who, after being publicly humiliated by her peers, uses her extraordinary powers to gain revenge.  King had a hard time putting together a plot and became increasingly agitated. He eventually would give up and throw away what he had written in the garbage.  One evening his wife Tabitha discovered what he had thrown away.  She realized that he was onto something and that this story could be a good one.  Tabitha would help him with the plot over the next few weeks.  Nine months later, Stephen King would complete his final draft of Carrie.  After being rejected thirty times, Carrie was finally published by Doubleday Publishing.  Although the original advance for it was not enough for King to live on, Carrie would soon change his life for the better.  Eventually, the paperback rights would go to Signet Books for $400,000.  These were the royalties he was looking for. 

All throughout the 1980s, King would continue publishing best selling novels. However, many things in his personal life were beginning to unravel.  King has admitted to drinking heavily and using drugs while completing such great novels like Cujo.  It got to a point where his wife and children almost gave up on him.  Eventually, Stephen King would kick his addictive habits and continue to write best sellers without being under the influence.

In June of 1999, Stephen King was struck by a motorist while jogging.  He suffered a collapsed right lung, scalp laceration and a broken hip.  Although he recovered, King contemplated quitting writing entirely.  However, he realized that writing was a part of his life and who he was and therefore could not forfeit the practice.  Stephen King continues to write to this day.

Stephen King Overcame the Odds of a low income and having his works rejected by dozens of publishers.  In addition, he Overcame the Odds of addiction and a tragic accident that could have killed him.

I should say that Stephen King has always been an important person in my life.  Even though I dont personally know the man, his works influenced my life in a special kind of way.  Suffering from certain symptoms of ADHD, I had trouble concentrating on reading all throughout Elementary School and Junior High.  In fact, it wasn't until about my Junior Year in High School that I developed an interest in reading.  After reading the works of Stephen King, I realized that reading anything whether a magazine, newspaper article or poem could be insightful in its own way.  By reading even the simplest of sentences, one can learn not only something about the world but they can also learn something about themselves.  During my Freshman Year in College, I had to write a paper in English Composition about someone who had influenced my life.  Of course, I chose Stephen King.  I received an A on my paper and was even asked to submit it in the Creative Writing Contest.  My final words of that paper have stayed with me to this day. Stephen King has always been associated with horror and scary things. However, he helped me overcome my fear of reading and applying myself in literary works.  My final sentence was "Ironically, the man who has instilled some of the most fears into the minds of many helped me overcome mine."

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein.  He's man who everyone associates with being a Genius.  However, he didnt have the greatest of upbringings by any means.  He actually never said one word for the first three years of his life.  Many of his early teachers thought that he was complacent and did not have the proper drive to be successful.  Due to not meeting the required standards of the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, he had to attend another school in Switzerland to finish his Secondary Education.  Still throughout his education, people thought he was too out there with his head in the clouds trying to come up with a theory that had no relevance.  Einstein persevered and developed the theory of relativity which many intelligent people still can't figure out to this day.  Albert Einstein overcame the odds of being viewed as not very Intelligent by his teachers and peers and became synonymous with Knowledge and Wisdom the World Over.  Enough Said.

Cindy McGraw

                My next Overcoming the Odds article is on a woman in the Metro Jackson area that shared with me her story of Overcoming Breast Cancer and a long lineage of cancer in her own family.  Her name is Cindy McGraw. I met her at one of the many fitness centers I have worked out at in the past 15 years. Cindy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and underwent a radical mastectomy with reconstruction and chemotherapy.  She survived.  However, this is only part of the story.  Cancer evidently runs in Cindy’s family.  According to Cindy, her paternal grandmother died at age 47 from ovarian cancer.  Her father’s oldest sister died of ovarian cancer while her father’s younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. 

Cindy McGraw says, “My aunt was the longest survivor at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!  After surviving breast cancer for 45 years, she was diagnosed with metasized breast cancer at age 75 and then died in 2008.  She was 78 years old.”  Cindy’s Aunt had children that were affected by cancer as well.  “My aunt had four daughters and 2 have died from ovarian or breast cancer and 1 daughter is a 2 time breast cancer survivor,” Cindy Says.  It didn’t stop there.  Evidently, her aunt’s middle daughter, Angie, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-30s and diagnosed again in her 50’s.  Nonetheless, Angie survived.  Angie’s oldest sister, Nell, however, was not so lucky.  After a series of treatments, Nell succumbed to breast cancer at age 52.  A year before her death, Nell lost her husband to a rare blood cancer. 

                Cindy also had another first cousin that was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41, survived that, and then was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 62.  Another one of Cindy’s aunts was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 70 and later with lung cancer at age 78.  So far, she is surviving both bouts with cancer.

                Due to the abundance of cancer in their family members, Cindy’s family began the process of genetic testing.  After discovering staggering results, they decided to take measures to prevent the onset of both breast and ovarian cancer.  As a result of the genetic testing, those who had not been diagnosed with cancer have had prophylactic mastectomies and/or hysterectomies as preventive measures for breast and ovarian cancer.  “So far, there have been no further cancer diagnoses in my family,” Cindy says.

                Cindy McGraw still has annual visits to her oncologist but is proud to be a cancer survivor.  “I have tried to give back by the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program which is a wonderful kind of mentoring service provided to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients,” Cindy says.  In addition, Cindy volunteers with the Komen group for their Race for the Cure and Golf for the Cure. 

                Cindy McGraw Overcame the Odds of Breast Cancer.  In addition, she has Overcome the Odds of a long lineage of cancer in her own family.  She continues to seek the right answers so that members of her family and people in general don’t have to suffer.  As a cancer survivor, Cindy stresses how important early detection really is.  “Cancer is a very scary experience but early detection is definitely the key,” she says.  “If you think something is wrong, go to the doctor.  We know our bodies best and people have to be aggressive and assertive with these kinds of health issues.”  As severe as cancer can become, early detection is an extremely important factor.

I believe that Cindy’s story is one of Overcoming the Odds to the highest degree.  In continuing to advance what is known about cancer, she is helping others Overcome the Odds as well.

My Father

Well I wrote an Overcoming the Odds Article on my Mother.  It's only fitting that I write an Overcoming the Odds Article on my late Father, Judge Frank D. Barber during Father's Day Weekend.  I am writing this as I myself am Overcoming some personal odds of my own and I dont know what the future holds for me.  My father Overcame many odds throughout his life.  Where he started in life and where he ended up is simply amazing.  My father was born to an Italian Immigrant from Naples, Italy Francesco Barbarisi.  His mother's family had just immigrated from Sicily through New Orleans.  Growing up in South Mississippi during the 30s and 40s, it was a difficult time for my father as many people in his family couldnt speak English very well.  In addition, there was somewhat of an Anti-Catholic Stance that existed in Mississippi against Italian, Hispanic and even Irish Catholics.  In addition, my father came from a Lower Middle Class Background, not Poor but not Well off by any Means. However,  I wont discuss social or political issues in this post as I refuse to display my views on social media. My dad took it upon himself to try to master the English language as much as possible and become a perfectionist in the use of correct grammar.  He spent many a time in the Hattiesburg Public Library reading thousands upon thousands of books.  How ironic in that one day I would work in a library.  My father attended St. Joseph Seminary in Louisiana during High School where he studied to be a priest.  Before his Senior Year, he decided he didnt want to become a priest and finished at Hattiesburg High.  He entered college at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) after he discovered he couldnt afford it anymore.  It was there that he entered the military where he learned many work ethics and propaganda that would serve him well throughout the rest of his life.  Later on, he was called in to service in Germany during Korea.  My father returned to college at the University of Southern Mississippi, where I would receive both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees.  It was during this time my father realized he had a knack for both reading people and public speaking.  He would eventually become Student President at the University of Southern Mississippi.  My father would face various personal and professional obstacles that prevented him from finishing Law School and winning various political offices.  However, he finished Law school at George Washington University.  Entering into the field of politics, he became State Representative of Forrest County.  There were many times my father ran for things and lost.  He had a Premature run for the Lieutenant Governor in the late 1960's as well as an unsuccessful run for Public Service Commissioner and as a Supreme Court Judge in Mississippi.  However, my father always learned that no matter how many times you fell down you got back up and got back in the race. Whether he was practicing law or serving as Assistant to U.S. Senator James O. Eastland, Frank Barber learned from his mistakes and kept moving forward. One of his most successful runs for his political office came in 1994 when he was elected to the Mississippi Court of Appeals which had just been established in the state of Mississippi.  This was his last position when he died.  No matter how many times he lost or how many personal problems he faced, my father rose to the challenge and accepted defeat with dignity.  His acceptance of defeat made his Victories even that more meaningful, or even when he was sworn in as Secretary of Senate under then Lieutenant Governor Brad Dye.  My father's life started out in a family of Italian Immigrants with a lower middle class background, many of whom couldnt speak English very well.  His life ended with a storied political career in the state of Mississippi and a life of public service that was revered by many.  I would say he was definitely a man who Overcame the Odds.  Here is a link to an Oral History he did with the University of Southern Mississippi if you wish to further study his career.  http://digilib.usm.edu/cdm/ref/collection/coh/id/8753

Justin Riley

My next Overcoming the Odds article is on a man I've known for nearly 15 years.  I met Justin Riley at one of the many Fitness Centers I worked and worked out at and have kept in touch with him over the years.  Justin Riley has been involved in Physical Fitness for most of his life.  It's been a part of his Motivation to succeed as a person.  However, there are various obstacles hes had to overcome in relation to his physical fitness goals and his relationships with people.  Justin says that even though he always focused on getting big and as strong as he possibly could, he was overweight for many years.  "I had the knowledge of how to do it the right way but just wasn't implementing it to myself," he says.  At one point, Justin was 5'8 and 260 lbs. wearing a size 40+ pants.  Justin says he was not Happy with himself or where he was.  "What you saw on the Outside was how I felt on the inside" Justin says.  He was involved in Church but was not implementing his beliefs into his own life much like he wasnt implementing what he knew about fitness into his routine.  One day, a friend of Justin's from work presented him with a Weight Loss Challenge.  Justin complied and went from 230 to 183 lbs.  He had not been that weight since college.  Justin says he felt comfortable with his weight loss and began to slip back into some of his old ways and put the weight back on again.  In addition, he was making bad decisions in terms of his relationships with people.  He was hanging out with the wrong people and instead of focusing on his relationship with God was obsessed with trying to develop a relationship with a girl. He was trying to be something he wasnt to win the love of others. Justin claims he had an awakening when he watched Tyler Perry's "Madea gets a Job."  "After watching the film, I realized that you find your identity with God first and you let him bring the right person to you," Justin says.  He then quit dating and changed his way of thinking.  Even though he faced various obstacles, Justin went from 215 to 170lbs.  "Being in the Fitness Industry, I needed to look the part," Justin says.  In addition, Justin began implementing his Christian beliefs into his life.  As he did, he found more confidence in himself as a leader and even became a ministry leader in Birmingham.  Justin then made other changes in his life in regards to his finances.  As Justin built confidence in his Fitness and leadership abilities, he had the vision of 12 One Training.  This comes from the Bible Quote.  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set out for us." (Hebrews 12)  Through his 12 One Training, Just was able to help people lose weight and get physically fit.  He noticed the changes that happened in the people he helped were reminiscent of the changes that happened to him. One of the main things that changed in Justin's life was his relationships with people.  "When I made God #1 in my life, that's when he brought me my fiancee Ashley," Justin says.  He continues his training and reaching out to others.

Justin Riley OVERCAME THE ODDS of failing to reach his fitness goals, failing to find confidence in himself as a leader, and failing to make the right relationships.  I am proud to call this man a friend and coworker.

Dusty Rhodes

Everyone knows I'm a fan of Professional Wrestling or at least what it used to be or what it can be.  I dont mean to overload my Blog with Wrestlers but I had to write an OVERCOMING THE ODDS on the recently departed WWE Hall of Famer the American Dream Dusty Rhodes.  Rhodes (real name Virgil Runnels) was born in Austin, Texas the son of a Plumber.  He was diagnosed with osteomyelitis when he was just six years old.  He would walk with crutches for the majority of his youth.  While he eventually overcame this disorder, it resulted in one leg being shorter than the other.  That didn't stop him from becoming of the most Well-Renowned Wrestling Stars of all time.  Dusty Rhodes was a Professional Wrestler who Personified Charisma.  His Interviews and Showmanship in the Ring were on Par with only the best.  One of the most amazing things about Rhodes was his ability to connect with fans.  Rhodes was billed as the Common Man.  By and large, Most Professional Wrestlers of the past have either had an athletic phsyique like Ric Flair or Bret Hart in their prime or a Bodybuilder Physique like Hulk Hogan or more so the late Ultimate Warrior and Lex Luger in his prime.  Dusty did not have an impressive physique by any means.  Looking at the man you wouldnt think he was an athlete.  Yes, Pro Wrestlers ARE athletes.  He made up for his lack of phsyique with his showmanship and charisma.  While Mick Foley was one that proved that even the man who looks like the Guy Next Door could make it as a Wrestler I believe it was Dusty Rhodes who set this standard. When people saw him achieve success, it made them believe they could be successful too. He became an NWA World Champion.  When Rhodes made it to the WWE, then WWF, he was put with an embarrassing gimmick of wearing Polk A Dots.  However, he made it work and maintained his Popularity the World Over.  Rhodes had personal problems with his son Dustin (Virgil Runnels) who played the Wrestling Character Golddust.  For a long time they didnt even speak to each other.  However, they eventually settled their problems and showed their true love to one another as Father and Son.  In 2009, Rhodes was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.  Before his death, he had lost a considerable amount of weight and had been doing DDP Yoga which was started by a man who looked up to him Diamond Dallas Page.

The American Dream Dusty Rhodes.  There Will Never Be Another.  He is a man who defined an era in Wrestling and his name is recognized the world over.  Most importantly, Dusty Rhodes was a man who OVERCAME THE ODDS of osteomyelitis, a less than stellar physique in a field that was defined by athleticism, as well as tensions between himself and his own son.  Dusty Rhodes lived up to his nickname.  He lived THE AMERICAN DREAM.   RIP Dusty Heres my Video Tribute to him

https://video-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xfa1/v/t43.1792-2/11217504_10101171501748329_692945831_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjE1MDAsInJsYSI6MTAyNH0%3D&rl=1500&vabr=238&oh=2f23182df9bebd928b3519565eb23270&oe=557CEAFD

Senator Ellis B. Bodron

One Late Mississippi Senator who Overcame the Odds in Life was Ellis B. Bodron R.I.P.  Mr. Bodron was Blind and attended the Mississippi School for the Blind.  However, his influence over Mississippi's finances spanned two decades. Even though he could not see, he was able to influence important decisions that could be seen by all. I remember meeting Ellis Bodron as a child and he even though he could not see me he had the personality and swagger of someone who could.

Despite being Blind, Ellis Bodron spent 36 years as a Mississippi Legislator.  His legislative career is still highly regarded to this day.  As shown in his records, "his intelligence and parliamentary" skills helped him progress to become a distinguished Senator.

Check link for his record

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/1997/SR/SR0005PS.htm


(Photo Courtesy of Frank D. Barber Collection)

Kane Hodder

My next OVERCOMING THE ODDS may seem like an odd choice to some.  However, if you read closely you will find out why it is not. Kane Hodder played the infamous Jason Voorhees in four of the Friday films.  Indeed, he is the only person to play the Jason character more than once.  Kane portrayed the character of Jason like no other.

Playing a menacing killer on screen,  it is ironic that Kane Hodder's early life was even more menacing for him than the character that he plays. Even though he developed a muscular physique later on in life, Kane was skinny and rather small for his age early on in life.  He was picked on by his peers consistently.  This led him to get into fights.  One incident involved three teenagers severely attacking Kane and his friend when they were in the fifth grade.  According to Kane Hodder in his Autobiography Unmasked, "not only did the incident leave massive bruises, lumps, and cuts all over my face, it left me mentally scarred for life."  His childhood and adolesence would be haunted by this incident.  Kane has admitted that some of the anger or rage that came from this incident fueled the aggression he used in playing Jason Voorhees.

Kane became fascinated with doing stunts for movies.  Eventually, he would become severely burned doing one of the stunts.  Kane chronicles the emotional and physical pain from the injury in his Autobiography.  "When I saw my arm, I almost passed out. Trembling, I noticed my hands were just as bad.  Ignoring how everything looked, I lifted my left hand and touched my right arm.  As my fingers touched the black flesh, it peeled off, just like the burnt crust on a toasted marshmallow.  A large sloppy chunk slid off my bicep and fell.  I watched my skin, the skin that was so tan and taut just a few minutes ago, fall into the mud." After a long hospitalization, Kane eventually recovered.

After this incident, Kane had to fight hard to break back into an industry that almost killed him.  He ended up playing one of the most iconic Horror Movie Icons in Cinema History.  In addition, despite being severely burned in a stunt, Kane overcame the incident by setting a precedent in film history.  In Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood, Kane Hodder, while playing Jason, did a stunt where he was on fire for a full forty seconds.  This was a record at the time in 1988.  Since becoming known as a Horror Icon, Kane has spent much time working with children in burn centers.  Despite the character that he plays, Kane has been described by people who have met him as a Genuine, Nice guy.

Kane Hodder OVERCAME THE ODDS of being skinny, being picked on, and suffering a career and life threatening injury.  He overcame the injury by performing a stunt that could have caused the same injury again.  However, he made cinematic history by the record he set for the stunt.  He also made Cinematic History by playing a Horror Icon that is recognized by thousands of movie-goers.  He also played the monster Victor Crowley in the Hatchet series. 

(Information taken from Unmasked: The True Life Story of the World's Most Prolific, Cinematic Killer)

OVERCOMING THE ODDS VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Pamela Nail

My next OVERCOMING THE ODDS article is on Metro Jackson Resident former Miss Louisiana USA 1983, Mrs. America 1987 and Mrs. World 1988 Pamela Nail.  I met Pamela Nail at one of the many YMCAs I worked at where she was teaching Exercise classes.  She had a Motivating way of teaching her classes.  After speaking with Mrs. Nail recently, she revealed to me the various ways in which she has Overcome the Odds throughout her life.  Pamela Nail was born with Dyslexia and suffered Learning Disabilities as a child.  In addition, she reveals she came from an addictive family.  Her Mother, a Holocaust Survivor, always gave her the strength to keep on moving in life. Pamela developed a desire to help people acquire high self-esteem and good health  “You have to aspire people to do things” Nail says, “We shine too brightly to ever put people down.”  It is important to note that Pamela Nail is involved in the Mississippi Children’s Home.  She stays busy speaking to groups of teens and/or women, counseling and teaching classes for those who want to improve their appearance, poise and confidence, and working as a Personal Trainer in the Jackson, MS area.  She judges pageants on the local and international level.  She continues to do some modeling, print and voice over work as well, and enjoys traveling the world.  Pamela Nail Overcame the Odds of Dyslexia, an addictive family and low self-esteem to become a Mrs. World and has used her skills and success to inpire people to be successful.