I am not disabled. I am a challenged athlete. I didn't just survive cancer. I got a second chance to make the most of this life and I'm living it for me and everyone that didn't get their chance. When I am shopping or on the track or the wrestling mat, sometimes people whisper or stare. Their lack of understanding doesn't make me question my worth. I like being underestimated because I am strong, I am capable, and I am fast. Only I get to decide how hard I work, how high I jump, that I can be grateful in every opportunity, in every chance I get to shine and encourage others. There will be people who figure out that they might be capable of more because they see that I am the best me I can be. The way I see it...the way I see it is the only thing that matters. My decision to have a positive outlook and embrace life propels me forward to achieve my dreams. Tyler Jones is many things: Class of 2020 high school graduate, cancer survivor, amputee/challenged athlete who is medalled internationally, and entrepreneur/apparel and brand designer co-founding The Drifted Drum Company, also known as "the business of encouragement". He was the 2019 Challenged Athletes Foundation male Sam Day Rising Star Award Winner and he is a frequent advocate and public speaker for cancer awareness, pediatric cancer, and disabled athletes. You can learn more about him and his platform and support his cause by visiting www.thedrifteddrum.com and following him on IG @tylergjonesy and @thedrifteddrumco. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
