In today’s world of email and text messaging, we sometimes forget the power of hearing the voice of another human being at the other end of the line. Have you ever received an unexpected phone call from someone you care about? It might have seemed like an answered prayer: the voice on the other end of the line letting you know you got the job or a really great guy wants to ask you out. Or maybe the call you remember stopped you in your tracks with the news that someone you loved dearly had died.

I vividly remember a phone call When I was going through a rough period as a sophomore in med school. We were in lectures from 8 AM until 5 PM In each class, we received pounds of notes. My exam was in another five days and there would be even more notes before then. I remember wondering how in the world I was going to remember all of that material for the exam in less than a week.

In complete frustration, I picked up the phone and called home from Nashville to New York. “Mom, I don’t think I will ever become a doctor. It is too hard.” My wise mother just listened and said, “Everything will be all right.” The next day I received A PHONE CALL from my favorite Uncle since childhood, Uncle Julian. Hearing him jokingly say, “Hang in there, partner, or I will come down there and knock you out!” made all the difference in the world to me. I smiled and life was much more manageable. Yes, laughter truly is the best medicine.

When was the last time you got an uplifting phone call? Whose life could you brighten today by making a phone call of your own?
Leave a comment below and let us know about it.

I am a medical doctor who happened to be born with a few obstacles to overcome. When I was one year old, a doctor gave my parents the news that I had Cerebral Palsy. Because of this condition, my hands and legs are spastic and my speech is slurred. I’m sure you can imagine how difficult this made doing normal activities like learning to walk or playing with other children.

As a child, I was fortunate to have help and encouragement from my loving parents and a family that knew I could overcome any obstacle. my classmates and community were also supportive of me in many ways.

As I grew up, the obstacles I faced grew with me. I decided I wanted to become a doctor like my father, so there were the challenges of passing specialty boards and making it through medical school. I also knew I wanted to share my life with someone special, so I had to figure out the secret of getting a girlfriend. That can be perplexing for any man. I eventually met my amazing wife, Gloria. Together we faced even more obstacles. For instance, six months after our marriage, my wife and I became the caregivers for my Mother.

When people hear my story, they often tell me I am an Inspiration to them. I believe that is because they see what God has done for me and they recognize that He can do the same for them. Life is full of obstacles: physical, mental and emotional. They can be difficult, but I know they can be overcome with love, faith, hard work and persistence.

If you would like to know more of my story, please click here.

What and who helped you overcome your own obstacles? I’d love to hear your story. Please share in the comments here.