Forward Movement Magazine Winter Issue 1 2015/2016 | Page 25

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Diagnosed at 11 months with Chorea (sudden involuntary movements) Cerebral Palsy, Wade was told
by doctors he would need braces if he ever wanted to walk. Unable to afford these costly braces,
his mother did some research and she hand made
some with four pieces of ply wood and Ace bandages, which Wade wore while he slept. During
the day she used homemade weights strapped to
his ankles to strengthen his legs.
Just overcoming these physical disabilities was
challenging enough, however Wade also had to deal
with the teasing and tormenting that came from fellow peers not understanding him. “I finally had to
stand up for myself…and I fought back!” Wade said.

EVER SINCE HE WAS
A CHILD HE WANTED
ONE OF TWO THINGS:
TO JOIN THE WWE
OR BECOME A
BODYBUILDER
Many might believe that becoming a bodybuilder
was something Wade chose to do in his adult life, but
it was actually a dream of his as an adolescent. Even
though he was told he would never be able to do it
Wade didn’t flinch. At the age of 12 he tried out and
made the cut for the Special Olympics. He played
Basketball, Softball and Track & Field and did well.
While he appreciated the challenge, his ultimate goal
remained in the back of his mind.
Wade lived out his teen years like many of his
peers complete with owning a 1979 purple Pinto
with the entire back full of speakers. Modified for
his needs, he drove it to college where he met the
love of his life, BJ.