Search Topics
From Homeless And Hopeless To Motivator
Submitted by: Derrick "BionicMan" Clark
Columbus, OHWell, I a man with passion,driven,strong willed,humorous,and love to give back to the community.
Have you ever just walked past someone on the street that was homeless? What did you think? Honestly! Did they make you feel uncomfortable? Were they just a face with no name? Did you ever think that person had a story? They do! Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I survived hopelessness and homelessness on the way to becoming a community service leader.
When I was a 5 year old, I always wanted to have superpowers. One day…I went on the second floor of my grandfather’s house and tied a sheet around my neck like I was superman.I open up the window and jump out.I hit the ground and bumped my head. I was dizzy! I knocked on the door and my grandfather answers and says “How did you get outside?” I told him I thought I was Superman and flew out the window. He told me to get inside and said I was crazy! I never try that again.
When I was 9 years old, me and my cousin Michael were playing with some bottles and I got up close to it and threw a rock at the bottle and a piece of glass flew at my eye. I ended up losing my left eye. I was called everything from a monster to One Eye Willy. I would become angry, bitter and depressed and turn into a loner.
At 15, I had my first taste of homelessness. Running away from home and my mother’s abusive boyfriend who would verbally and physically abuse us. I was introduced to the street-life. I began selling drugs and I witnessed the crack epidemic and what I call madness; people stealing, arguing over drugs and violence. At 18, I went to jail for a friend who stole a car. I let my friend get away by climbing on my side to escape. I got charged with auto theft.
I skipped court and had a warrant. I decided to do the time,even though I didn’t steal the car. I end up at Southeastern Correctional Institution in Lancaster, Ohio, better know as gladiator school at that time. I developed my strength training there!
Nine months later, I was back on the streets selling drugs. After another 10 months in prison, I was homeless again. With no job or money , I didn’t have options. Staying in a shelter to me was like being in prison. “I know I ain’t worthless, but I don’t like being treated like that.” I preferred sleeping in abandoned buildings instead.
The worst part was in the wintertime, when it’s cold. I’d be over a friend’s house and ask if I can spend a night. Sometimes they would and sometime they wouldn’t.
In December of 2008 I was at a turning point. Homeless in Chicago,IL. I was riding the train and at the end of the stop, the security kick me off the train and let the others stay on. I was angry and frustrated. I decided to go to the Salvation Army. It wasn’t a shelter, it was a drug program. I wasn’t using drugs, so I lied to get inside the program. The Salvation Army taught me about discipline and people sharing similar stories.That made want to become a motivational speaker.
Upon returning back to Ohio and still unable to find work because of my record, I decided to do something different, enrolling at the Choose 2 Change program for ex-offenders at the Columbus Urban League. Devoted to change my life to creating a positive change and inspiring others. “Some things you have to do. If you want to make a change in life, you have to take action.Find some resources…and put in the footwork.”
I got my G.E.D at a Certified Training Mentoring Center of Central Ohio. A mentor certificate and am now mentoring at-risk youths with the Columbus Urban League Urban Warrior Program. Rising to superhero status, I have 12 world records in strength & endurance, including an thick grip (soda can size) one arm deadhang for 43 seconds on Recordsetter.
I am working with the Ohio Organizing Campaign to hold slumlords accountable for maintaining their property and keeping them up to code. Believer in giving back, I help co-facilitate the Choose 2 Change Program for ex offenders and co host at the Professional Rookies www.wtmhradio.com every Saturday at 7 pm and am an advocate for ex-offenders, the homeless and bullying victims.
Adversities ain’t meant to destroy you, they’re meant to build you up. My vision statement is: to become the people champion for the impoverished, to motivate/inspire all people and developed a power of influences on a world scale.
The Secret’s doing the same thing. Glad to have the chance to tell you – you can do it too!