"An Amazing Hero"

"I don't have eyes; I can't walk. Big Deal--I have the gift of music." These words are from a young man named Patrick Henry Hughes. The more I learn about this guy, the more I realize I need to learn. Doyle received a music magazine with his picture on the front cover. When you see a guy playing a trumpet from a wheelchair in the marching band, you know there is more to the story. First of all, the word "marching" implies movement of feet. In Patrick's case, his dad does the movement. Before I get ahead of myself, let me explain that Patrick was born without eyes and he cannot use his feet. His arms do not extend fully. When you look at his baby pictures, you can imagine the pain his parents experienced realizing he would definetely be handicapped forever. Well, it depends on how you define handicapped. Yes, his dad said that he knew that he and his son would never play baseball together, but they noticed early that he had the gift of music--they would play music together. Before he was 2, he was taking requests from family members; he then would play them on the piano. It didn't stop there. He learned to play the trumpet. When he went to college at the University of Louisville, the band director wanted him to join the band. He did and he is having the time of his life using his gifts. His dad is a remarkable man who attends all of his practices and pushes his wheelchair through all of the maneuvers. He also works the night shift at U.P.S. so he can go to class with Patrick.

I watched an interview where his dad said, "I couldn't be happier." When I started reading all of this info. about his life, I called my brother to see what he knew. My brother lives in Louisville and my niece attended U. of L. He said that he was a local hero. Well, he certainly has become a hero in my eyes. When you go to his website at www.patrickhenryhughes.com, be sure to listen to the song by Bloodkin. It is entitled, "Why Us," and focuses on the fact that God has blessed the Hughes home with Patrick's life. Instead of asking "Why Us"? in a negative aspect, It asks,"Why Us--why would You choose to bless us with a son like this?" Patrick dwells on his abilities, not his disabilities. I was so inspired by this story, and thought that my readers would too.