DAVID RING- A story of a CHAMPION!

David Ring was born DEAD for 18 minutes! 

No oxygen to the brain for 18 minutes!   

A miracle occurred ………..he lived!
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David Ring spoke on Saturday on the same stage as Zig Ziglar, Paul Martinelli, Paul B. Evans, David Frey and Joel Comm at Carrie Wilkerson’s Boss2010 event in Dallas.  I was fortunate to attend this event and witness stories of people who could have just laid down and used the "victim" card to justify their condition in life.  However, these people overcame GREAT adversity in their lives by using the power of faith, taking action, mentoring and purpose to become outstanding leaders, speakers and authors.  The above named people are using the spoken and written word to inspire and share meaningful and powerful messages all over the world.    

David’s story is one I hope you, and I, will never forget as long as oxygen is flowing to our brains!
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David was born with Cerebral Palsy.  Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and is considered a disability that alters speech and body movement skills.
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The story of David Ring is quite touching to me because my mother, who recently passed away, was also born with Cerebral Palsy. 

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David grew up in a family of 12 children, and as you can imagine, he required quite a bit of attention from his mother because of his handicap.  His speech was impaired and his bodily movements, such as writing, walking and even just sitting down were quite challenging.  The unconditional love he received from his mother was what kept him going. 

With all the kids in school teasing David about the way he talks and walks, it’s not difficult to understand why he hated school.

His father died when he was 11 years old. When David’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, he pleaded with God not to take her life…she was “all” he had. In 1968, David was 14 years old, when his mother died, and according to David, so did he.

He stated that his “life was a nightmare and that he was hopeless, worthless and had nothing to live for”. 

With his life at an all-time low, he tried to take his life with a suicide attempt.  Thankfully, he was unsuccessful.

One of his sisters was not going to give up on David (the stubborn one!) and she was able to get him to church. He refers to her as his “stubborn sister”.

The church crowd didn’t come running to help him….

However, On April 17, 1970, David committed his life to God, because His love for David was like the unconditional love his mother had given him.

He went to his pastor and told him he wanted to be a preacher!  He was told numerous times that he couldn’t be a preacher; nobody would listen to him because they wouldn’t be able to understand him. 

He decided to go back to school.  And with a great attitude, he became the class president. And then he was voted “Most Popular”.

David went to the football coach at school and told him he wanted to be a part of the team.  After the coach looked at him funny, he explained to the coach he wasn’t going out for the quarterback position (hahaha), but that he wanted to be the best water-boy he’d ever had. 

You see, David realized that it was import to be AUTHENTIC.  He knew what he was and he knew what he wasn’t.  He says, “Don’t try to be something that you’re not”!  

He said, "I don’t want to be Joe-Cool with a healthy body…  I want to be David-Cool with Cerebral Palsy”. 

He took his job seriously and he remembered that if he didn’t do his job as a WATER-BOY, then the others on the team could not do their job.  He said, “it takes everybody to make a great team, including the little ole’ water-boy”. 

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“It’s time to get out of the stands and get on the field”, he says.  “It’s time to get the lead out and put the load in”.  “It’s time to get off your (and he turns around with his back facing the crowd and puts his hands on his rear end) …. stop feeling sorry for yourself”. 

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They told him he’d never have a wife.

David Ring with his beautiful wife……

They told him he’d never have kids.

David Ring with his beautiful family….(3 girls and 1 boy)

His greatest “liability” (his hard to understand speech), became his greatest OPPORTUNITY…. His greatest asset! 

“It’s time to quit talking about the past….Let the past make you who you are today”.

“Life is not fair”, he said, “but God is good”.

David has spoken in over 6,000 venues for 37 years now! He’s now 56 years old and this year alone has had over 185 speaking engagements this year.

He’s more alive today than he’s ever been before!

One of the last things David said before he got off the stage was what he would ask God when he dies: 

“God….why were you so good to me”?

What does this have to do with running your business.  Well….. a lot!  Don’t ever give up…it’s not how many times you fall, what’s important is how many times you get up.

You don't need me to tell you that the economy has affected business of all types.  However, depending on where you place your focus will determine a lot of what shows up in your outcome.

YOU can be an encourager if you choose to be.  Go ahead and encourage your teams, you just never know what they could become.

Don't be a "victim"….  Be A CHAMPION !