He rolled into the studio and his love of life immediately filled the room. If you haven’t met Antonio V. Wright, you should. Like his friend (National champion and Paralympian Ryan Estep), Antonio has taken a major life lemon and turned it into lemonade. But what makes Antonio special is that he didn’t make that lemonade for himself. He’s sharing it with others.
“Tough times don’t last. Tough people do,” Antonio said as he rolled up to the microphone. Antonio was a promising college football player with a potential NFL career ahead of him. Until a tumbling truck threw him 150 yards, leaving him in a wheelchair. It’s a miracle he is alive.
And alive he is. Antonio went on to coach football and motivate others. But he discovered that there was a real need for others who were in his situation. That’s when MACE was born. The MACE (Metro Area Community Empowerment Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization created to assist individuals with Spinal cord injuries (SCI) and provide youth character building through mentorship, community involvement, and goal formation. Antonio is a member of the amazing Rolling Tigers wheelchair basketball team. Want to see something that will inspire you? Play against them. They’ll spot you 25 points and still beat you.
Antonio’s efforts help both the disabled and the able-bodied. People in chair develop strength and the support group they need. Able-bodied friends and family learn empathy.
MACE and the Rollin’ Tigers will have their first home wheelchair basketball tournament Saturday, November 3rd. It’s from 10:00 to 5:00 at the Walter Peyton Center on Jackson State University’s campus. There is no cost. If you want to be inspired, check it out. And if you really want to be inspired say hello to Antonio and Ryan.
Antonio V. Wright’s book is “From A Label to a Brand.” I’m reading it right now and recommend it. You can order a copy right here. He was telling me a story about how he his struggles with academics until he decided to quit “being a label” and working hard at his studies. He discovered that he had a learning disability and when he began putting the effort into his work, the teachers met him halfway. He graduated with honors from high school and later college. How many of us have problems that we blame on others? A label? Wouldn’t it be cool if we had Antonio’s attitude? Just think where we’d be.