Hi, my name is Jim Lynch. I believe I am a man who has achieved great things, expects to achieve more and by telling my story will drive you to achieve great things as well. My story can be seen as one of success or failure depending upon your point of view.
It begins in the delivery room of a small Southern New Jersey hospital. I was being introduced to a concept that at the time I was far too young to comprehend. I was being introduced to something that I still contend with to this day, that I do not fit into society’s definition of normal and I am to be judged based upon that. I was born very early and underdeveloped. Going home after birth was not an option. It was far from a given I would go home at all. I was given a 25% chance of survival at birth, but I was developing a fighter’s mentality. Over time my strength improved. My chances of survival also improved and before too long I was going home.
I grew at a fairly normal rate, but something wasn’t right. I wasn’t developing the skills needed to walk. My feet and knees were turned in. My legs were very stiff and spastic. When I did finally walk, it was on my tiptoes. It was time to get some answers. After seeing all kinds of specialists it was determined that I had Cerebral Palsy. Okay, I have Cerebral Palsy. So what! No one is going to feel sorry for me. Life will go on and I must move forward. I must fight. Each time I have moved forward it has led to greater success.
In this article I am going to touch on my story briefly, but more importantly I am going to teach those reading this to apply that train of thought in your own lives. I have spoke on this topic at some length. Dwelling on the negative accomplishes nothing. Often times you can’t control what happens to you, but you 100% control how you react to what has happened to you. I can’t control the fact that I was born disabled. Would I change it? I don’t think so.
Due to the fact that I was born disabled I asked more of myself. Going back as far as I can remember, I worked harder than most other kids my age and I was able to achieve when others thought I could not. At a young age that mindset set the tone for the rest of my life. Each decision I made and each success I had led into the next one. I was integrated into a regular kindergarten class as opposed to a special education class. I traveled to school on a regular school bus as opposed to a specially equipped bus. Once I was given those opportunities I flourished socially. It gave me confidence and allowed me to see for myself that I was not any different from the other kids. Allowing myself to not be pigeonholed at 5 years old led to a relatively normal elementary and high school experience. I had lots of friends. I was involved in school activities and was a member of the wrestling team. Riding a regular school bus and being integrated into a regular class was a key in my future successes. I was building an emotional “fortune”.
Again, one decision or one success led into the next. If you look at this like you are building a more traditional fortune, a dollars and cents fortune, unless you hit the lottery most likely you are not going to suddenly have a fortune. Our fortunes are saved one dollar at a time. Each dollar you save you made a conscious decision to save it and those decisions led to your fortune. The decisions you make today will lead to or delay your success tomorrow. I am always looking to move forward. You should do the same. No negative thoughts. Eventually I graduated from and wrestled in college.
I was named team captain during my four years in college. After college I wrestled in 2 US Olympic Team Trials while at the same time I started a very successful career in sales which eventually led to the career I have now. I am a successful motivational speaker and author specializing in disability advocacy and business / personal development. I started this column off saying that my story can be seen as one of success or failure depending your point of view. Did I graduate at the top of my class? No. Did I make the Olympic Team? No. Has everything I’ve done professionally been a success? No. In fact it took almost 20 years to find myself professionally. Did any of my failures have to do with my CP? I don’t know. Maybe. What I do know is that we don’t often succeed the first time. That’s why we are told as kids, “if at first you don’t succeed…try, try again.” Remember I said you can’t control 100% what happens to you, but you 100% control how you react to what has happened to you. I can’t control how people see me or how they view my accomplishments. I can’t control their point of view, but my point of view is that I am a success and I will continue to be successful because whether the next moment brings success or failure I will move forward. I hope you do as well.
Jim Lynch – an industry leader born with Cerebral Palsy. I am a motivational and inspirational speaker capable of speaking on a variety topics, but I am specialize in topics relating to personal and professional enrichment and training. I am a successful entrepreneur, former Olympic Trials participant, husband and father of two. If you would like I present a story of motivation and inspiration to your group which will lead to increased productivity, please don’t hesitate contacting me. Remember, NEVER BE SATISFIED!
Jim Lynch Cell: 732-779-5031 Office: 732-288-0838 Twitter: @jiml0828 LinkedIn: @ James Lynch Facebook: @JLSpeaker Instagram: @JimLSpeaker
