In We’ve Come This Far By Faith: 10 Keys to Success by Dr. Darrell Pone, the author shares 10 essential tips for success, using his own life experience to illustrate the importance of each tip. Despite being born with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy (CP), a type of CP characterized by abnormally tight muscles, Pone held high ambitions at a young age of becoming a doctor. With hard work, as well as the support of his family and friends, these ambitions became a reality. To meet this reality and become a cerebral palsy success story, Dr. Pone had to triumph over much adversity.

Cerebral Palsy Connection
As somebody with cerebral palsy, I really connected with Dr. Pone’s message. I have faced a lot of the same issues Dr. Pone has faced, and if I haven’t faced those issues personally, I’ve talked to others with CP who had. For instance, in reference to his childhood, Dr. Pone writes, “Children would tease me about the way I talked and walked.” While I never really encountered teasing, I know many with CP who unfortunately did.

However, the CP population, or even individuals with disabilities in general, won’t be the only ones who can connect with Dr. Pone. The doctor discusses many universal issues, for example dating. In regards to dating during his early high school years Dr. Pone writes, “Dating was problematic for me because I could not meet the girls’ expectations of how a boyfriend was supposed to look and act.” I’m positive Dr. Pone isn’t the only guy to ever have such sentiments.

Overcoming Adversity
After reading We’ve Come This Far By Faith: 10 Keys to Success, I admire Dr. Pone for not only overcoming disability-related discrimination, but also overcoming race-related adversity. As an African American with a disability, Dr. Pone encountered much bigotry. The doctor recalls one incident of bigotry, writing, “I was at a party and speaking with a woman who unfortunately had a rather condescending attitude toward me. It could have been my race, my disability, or both. She told me her occupation and asked me if I had a job.” At the time Pone was already a practicing physician. 
     
Dr. Pone isn’t just a cerebral palsy success story, Dr. Darrell Pone is a role model. No matter the challenges you face in life, following the 10 tips Dr. Pone offers in his book can lead you to success. We’ve Come This Far By Faith: 10 Keys to Success can be purchased at his website.