Pull Quote: Anything is possible when you have passion, motivation, belief, and community.

Life Without Limits

What if I were to propose to you that it is possible to live life without limits? What if I were to say to you that you can do something extraordinary? What if you knew that you can move past your own shortcomings? Well, I’d be telling you a partial truth.

Each one of us have our own weaknesses, some more noticeable than others. You could say that mine is quite out in the open. I was born with a genetic disease called Muscular Dystrophy (MD). MD progressively weakens one’s muscles over time which can make life a bit difficult. But, as mentioned in my title, I want you to see how you can overcome those limits.

The Beginnings

Having grown up as a youngster with the ability to walk, I was privileged with the joys of soccer, tree climbing, crashing my bike, and skiing. However, when I turned ten, I was no longer able to participate in those activities to the same degree. Physically my body wasn’t there, but I was fully present mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Perhaps I now have a greater appreciation for all that life has to offer because of that. I’m not altogether sure. What I do know is that I can enjoy life in the present moment.

My family’s love for me as I grew up with this disease never ceased, and due to that I have been inspired to do anything that I set my mind to do. After graduating from high school I went off to North Central University to study ministry. While there I enjoyed connecting with people, checking out downtown Minneapolis, and learning more about what life can be like.

In 2010, five years after I started college, I finally graduated. There I was, a young whippersnapper wet behind the ears with the world before him. I wondered if I might go to California or Yemen. In the end, I returned home to Belleville, Wisconsin and came on staff as an assistant pastor at a church.

The Next Phase

That time as a pastor was wonderful, but I felt like I should move to Madison and start working on the web full time. You see, while I was in ministry I began taking on some side projects for a few clients. Their sites happened to be on WordPress, so I became familiar with the dashboard, themes, plugins, XML-RPC, HTML, CSS, PHP, and everything in between. With a history in WordPress it felt natural to move forward in such a career path.

So, I applied to a support position that Aesopinteractive had available. A month later, as I was leaving the church (August 2014) where I was at, I received an email from Nick Haskins telling me he would like to have me on the team. I took him up on it.

I soon discovered that remote work for a guy in a wheelchair fit well into my lifestyle. With some part time work and a few clients, I stepped ahead on this next leg of my journey. People were accepting of me. The WordPress community embraced me.

The Present

After a year of remote working, I have worked with LiftUX, built several more client sites, and now work for both Aesopinteractive and AffiliateWP. I never dreamed that I could do so much for the web as I am now, but it just goes to show what can happen when you have people surrounding you that believe in you, no matter your limitations.

Be Inspired

If I were to be able to share anything with you, it would be this:

“Anything is possible when you have passion, motivation, belief, and community.”

I sometimes don’t really understand why my life is so inspiring. After all, I am simply continuing to live life despite my circumstances, which seems like most anyone does. How about we all live life to the fullest extent?

19 Comments

  1. Michael you may have physical limitations but you’re full of life and don’t let anything hold you back. So happy to finally have had the pleasure of meeting you in Minneapolis this year. Look forward to the next time I get to spend some time with you!

    Kiko

  2. I am so proud that I could be a part of your growing up years and still are friends. I am so proud of you Michael. You are an inspiration to everyone.

  3. Michael you are amazing but you came from amazing families from both of your parents ❤. Many blessings to you this article was so inspiring!

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