Butterflies of Wisdom is a podcast where we want to share your story. We want to share your knowledge if you have a small business if you are an author or a Doctor, or whatever you are. With a disability or not, we want to share your story to inspire others. To learn more about Butterflies of Wisdom visit http://butterfliesofwisdom.weebly.com/ Be sure to FOLLOW this program https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wins-women-of-wisdom/id1060801905. To find out more about Challenge Aspen go to https://challengeaspen.org. To find out how Win walk and about Ekso go to http://www.bridgingbionics.org/ or email Amanda Boxtel at [email protected].

 

On Butterflies of Wisdom today, Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Eric Thomas. Eric, a young, motivated, ambitious businessman, leads a busy life.  As well as the leading force behind "EZ Awareness By Design," specializing in graphic design, custom apparel, signage, and vinyl banners, he is a public speaker, philanthropist, volunteer and advocate for the disabled.  His keen business sense began before the early age of ten when he started renting his Nintendo video games in the neighborhood. Music has always been an influence in Eric’s life from writing to recording his album with the Hip Hop group “Miscellaneous.”  Appreciation and the love of music and photography eventually led Eric to Lansing Community College where he pursued a degree in photography and broadcasting after graduating from Clio High School in 1996. A random shooting on the fateful night of September 20, 1997, changed Eric's life forever.  A young man with dreams of a career in music or photography learned that life is not always fair.  Left paralyzed from the neck down by a bullet to the C3 and C4 vertebrates; Eric spent several months on a ventilator with a halo screwed to his head to support his neck fighting for his life. Upon being released from the hospital, Eric spent the next six months in rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado learning to cope with his new circumstances. Doctors recommended an assisted living center after leaving the hospital, but with the support of his family, he made the transition from rehabilitation to his mother’s and stepfather’s home.  Thanks to the hard work of his stepfather many changes and modifications were made to the home so that Eric could navigate throughout the structure. With the support of Disability Network, a self-determination living arrangement (SDLA) was developed.  Having a SDLA permitted Eric to hire his staff and set goals and dreams using the person-centered plan process, allowing Eric to live independently in his environment. Eric's portfolio resonates with a vast variety of activities from public speaking to managing his graphic design company.  His list of charitable works involve everything  from Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, Coats For Kids, Food Bank Of Eastern Michigan, American Heart Association, president for the Flint Film Festival, co-founder of Wheels 4 Wheels, local leader for Michigan Partners for Freedom and an ambassador for Danny’s Miracle Angel Network (D-Man). Eric does not view his life as a burden, but it’s an opportunity to help other individuals with disabilities.  Some of the most rewarding moments of his life include testifying at both House and Senate hearings at the local, state, and national level, for the advancement of care and rights for people with disabilities.  He believes in providing both financial means and access to affordable health care. These things will allow disabled individuals to live independently and is a motivating factor that promotes hi