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As the nephew of the man I want to share with everyone who cares to read, I am basically posting this out of pride. I am very happy to be directly related to this man, and he not only inspires myself, but in all honesty, anyone he comes into contact with.
A little background: My uncle, Dave Clark, was stricken with Polio, and has lived his life with the condition since birth. He was born only 2 years before the Polio vaccine was mainstreamed, and there was, and still is, no way to treat the disease.
He was the first of 3 kids; my father Dan (2.5 years younger), and my other uncle Doug (5 years younger). Unfortunately, I haven't spoke with my father since I was 13 years old, but I still keep in touch with my Uncle Dave.
It was tough for my Uncle, growing up with a disease that paralyzed him from the waist down. He eventually learned how to use crutches, and my grandparents sent him to many clinics in attempts to rehabilitate him physically. My grandparents are the nicest people I have ever known. I only knew my Grandma until I was around 7 years old, when she tragically died of cancer, but I remember her so well. My Grandfather is still alive, and I will admit, I visit him less than I should, because I love the man and I owe everything to my grandparents. They're the same people who put $40K away for me and my sister when we were children to help us pay for our college, and today the money is worth enough to pay for a house and a few cars (and no, it's staying right where it is, invested) I owe so much to them.
Moving on, my Uncle grew up to be a successful professional athlete, playing and partially owning the Indianapolis Clowns baseball organization up until his final hit in the major leagues when the team folded. They were part of the Negro American League. He's played basically every game you could name. Hockey, football, baseball, basketball, etc. He also did many professional broadcasts for various teams throughout the years. At the moment, he's scouting for the Atlanta Braves.
My Uncle came out with a book titled "Diamond In The Rough; The Dave Clark Story", written by Roger Neumann, in which his life, in detail, was laid out in full color for everyone to read.
I came across an excerpt in the book that touched me. I'm not the type of person to be touched... so it brings me to actually share it with everyone, included is a YouTube video that I just happened to find... so perfect. The excerpt reads:
Long, I know, but it doesn't really make the video worth anything unless you read the excerpt from the book. It's also really cool to me to be able to read about my Uncle and the town I grew up in, yet back in the 50's and 60's, and how different the culture was. Here's the video I found from youtube that really made the whole story come to life.A feeling of horror shot through me when our teacher announced to the class that we were going to take our first field trip, in about a week, to the Corning Northside Fire Department. The firehouse was four or five blocks away, and we would be walking, walking?! Would I be able to do that? Would I be able to keep up with the other kids? Could I go that far without taking a break? Worse, if I did need a break, would the teacher make the other kids stop and wait for me?
I hadn't yet gained the acceptance of the other kids through sports, and I was still noticing some of them staring at me from time to time. Those looks and the fact that I couldn't go places as fast as them disturbed me greatly. The last thing I wanted now was something that would make me stand out any more than I already did. So, day by day over the next week, my anxiety grew as the date of the field trip drew near. I kept waiting for our teacher to tell me she'd made special arrangements for me to get to the fire hall, but she never did.
Finally, the day arrived. And so did my young "savior," as I now think of him. Little Ernie Pound, one of my classmates, had brought his red Radio Flyer wagon to school that day, with the sole intention of giving me a ride to the fire hall. The teacher gave Ernie the okay as we lined up for the trip, and I hopped in the wagon. My classmates accepted the wagon, and even helped make it a fun experience for me, asking to take turns pulling me. And for all my concern, the field trip turned out just fine.
From then on, Ernie Pound would bring his wagon to school anytime we had a walking field trip scheduled. I've sometimes wondered how a boy so young could have been so wise-wiser, even, than my teacher. I haven't seen Ernie in many years, and I have no idea where he is today or what he's doing. And I don't remember if I ever really thanked him for what he did for me, but I guess I probably didn't. So, Ernie, let me take this opportunity to do so.
I also stumbled across this gem, my Uncle back in '85. His stories in this are also in his book.
Guys, this man is an inspiration. Not because he's my Uncle, I'm only proud to be able to say that, but because the mans legs don't work... never have... and he's defied and conquered every obstacle that's stood in his way. I only did this with the intention of showing people that they can make their dreams come true, and Ernie Pound did something that helped my Uncle develop the absolutely amazing courage he had, and still has today. He's tough as nails, and I welcome anyone to buy this book if they want to read a good story.
Amazon.com: Diamond in the Rough: The Dave Clark Story (9780595477951): Roger Neumann: Books
PS: this post isn't made to be an advertisement. If any mods think it is by me posting that Amazon link, feel free to remove it, I just thought I would post it in case it interested anyone. I make NO money off of my Uncles book sales... and I don't even know what Amazon gives him when they sell a copy.
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double bonus points if you get that reference.
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