Ability Forum

[Kr_iyer]

Dr. Robert Davila is the ninth president of Gallaudet University,[1][2] the world's only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. His appointment came after the wake of the Unity for Gallaudet Movement protests of 2006,[3] when many students, staff, and alumni objected to the installation of president-designate Jane Fernandes.[4][5] Although he is officially the university's ninth president, the Board of Trustees has limited his term to 18-24 months.

Robert Davila was born in southern California to Mexican-American parents who worked in fields and orchards. At age eight, he contracted spinal meningitis and became deaf. When his mother learned about a school for the deaf in northern California, she sent Roberto (his childhood name) alone on a journey to the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley (which later moved to California School for the Deaf, Fremont).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_R._Davila

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Dr. Robert Davila is the ninth president of Gallaudet University,[1][2] the world's only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. His appointment came after the wake of the Unity for Gallaudet Movement protests of 2006,[3] when many students, staff, and alumni objected to the installation of president-designate Jane Fernandes.[4][5] Although he is officially the university's ninth president, the Board of Trustees has limited his term to 18-24 months.

Robert Davila was born in southern California to Mexican-American parents who worked in fields and orchards. At age eight, he contracted spinal meningitis and became deaf. When his mother learned about a school for the deaf in northern California, she sent Roberto (his childhood name) alone on a journey to the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley (which later moved to California School for the Deaf, Fremont).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_R._Davila

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

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[Kr_iyer]

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)[3][4] — known as Les Paul — was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible".[5] He is credited with many recording innovations, including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound),[6] delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording.[7]

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many of the guitarists of the present day.[8][9][10][11] He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of records

In January 1948, Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident in Oklahoma. Doctors told him that they could not rebuild his elbow so that he would regain movement; his arm would remain permanently in whatever position they placed it in. Paul instructed the surgeons to set his arm at an angle—just over 90 degrees—that would allow him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him a year and a half to recover.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)[3][4] — known as Les Paul — was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible".[5] He is credited with many recording innovations, including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound),[6] delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording.[7]

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many of the guitarists of the present day.[8][9][10][11] He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of records

In January 1948, Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident in Oklahoma. Doctors told him that they could not rebuild his elbow so that he would regain movement; his arm would remain permanently in whatever position they placed it in. Paul instructed the surgeons to set his arm at an angle—just over 90 degrees—that would allow him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him a year and a half to recover.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Antonio Gramsci (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɡramʃi]) (January 22, 1891 – April 27, 1937) was an Italian philosopher, writer, politician and political theorist. A founding member and onetime leader of the Communist Party of Italy, he was imprisoned by Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime. His writings are heavily concerned with the analysis of culture and political leadership and he is notable as a highly original thinker within the Marxist tradition. He is renowned for his concept of cultural hegemony as a means of capturing control over the commanding heights of culture and the state in a capitalist society.

In 1898 Francesco was convicted of embezzlement and imprisoned, reducing his family to destitution and forcing the young Antonio to abandon his schooling and work at various casual jobs until his father's release in 1904. The boy suffered from health problems: a malformation of the spine owing to a childhood accident left him hunch-backed and underdeveloped, while he was also plagued by various internal disorders throughout his life.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Gramsci

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Antonio Gramsci (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɡramʃi]) (January 22, 1891 – April 27, 1937) was an Italian philosopher, writer, politician and political theorist. A founding member and onetime leader of the Communist Party of Italy, he was imprisoned by Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime. His writings are heavily concerned with the analysis of culture and political leadership and he is notable as a highly original thinker within the Marxist tradition. He is renowned for his concept of cultural hegemony as a means of capturing control over the commanding heights of culture and the state in a capitalist society.

In 1898 Francesco was convicted of embezzlement and imprisoned, reducing his family to destitution and forcing the young Antonio to abandon his schooling and work at various casual jobs until his father's release in 1904. The boy suffered from health problems: a malformation of the spine owing to a childhood accident left him hunch-backed and underdeveloped, while he was also plagued by various internal disorders throughout his life.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Gramsci

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
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[Kr_iyer]

Edward Carl "Eddie" Gaedel (June 8, 1925–June 18, 1961), born in Chicago, Illinois, was an American dwarf who became famous for participating in a Major League Baseball game.

Gaedel gained immortality in the second game of a St. Louis Browns doubleheader on Sunday, August 19, 1951. Weighing 65 pounds (29.5 kg), and standing 3 feet 7 inches (1.09 m) tall, he became the shortest player in the history of the major leagues. He made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner at first base.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gaedel

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
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Edward Carl "Eddie" Gaedel (June 8, 1925–June 18, 1961), born in Chicago, Illinois, was an American dwarf who became famous for participating in a Major League Baseball game.

Gaedel gained immortality in the second game of a St. Louis Browns doubleheader on Sunday, August 19, 1951. Weighing 65 pounds (29.5 kg), and standing 3 feet 7 inches (1.09 m) tall, he became the shortest player in the history of the major leagues. He made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner at first base.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gaedel

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy (May 23, 1862 – December 15, 1961) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds and two Washington, D.C. franchises.

He is noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in major league history, and is credited by some sources with causing the establishment of signals for safe and out calls.[1][2] He held the major league record for games in center field (1,726) from 1899 to 1920, set records for career putouts (3,958) and total chances (4,625) as an outfielder, and retired among the leaders in outfield games (2nd; 1,795), assists (7th; 273), and double plays (3rd; 72). He was also an excellent baserunner, scoring over 100 runs nine times, and often finishing among the top base stealers. He is one of only 29 players to have played in four different major leagues. His 1,004 career walks put him second in major league history behind Billy Hamilton when he retired, and he also ended his career ranking eighth in career games (1,796).


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummy_Hoy

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
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William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy (May 23, 1862 – December 15, 1961) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds and two Washington, D.C. franchises.

He is noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in major league history, and is credited by some sources with causing the establishment of signals for safe and out calls.[1][2] He held the major league record for games in center field (1,726) from 1899 to 1920, set records for career putouts (3,958) and total chances (4,625) as an outfielder, and retired among the leaders in outfield games (2nd; 1,795), assists (7th; 273), and double plays (3rd; 72). He was also an excellent baserunner, scoring over 100 runs nine times, and often finishing among the top base stealers. He is one of only 29 players to have played in four different major leagues. His 1,004 career walks put him second in major league history behind Billy Hamilton when he retired, and he also ended his career ranking eighth in career games (1,796).


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummy_Hoy

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Rosemarie (Rose) Siggins - Extraordinary People

Rose SigginsBorn with a rare genetic disorder known as Sacral Agenesis, Rose had severely deformed legs with feet pointing in opposite directions. There was no feeling in the legs and, as a child, she was in danger of harming herself. When she was two years old her mother, after consulting with the doctors at the hospital, decided that the best course of action was to have the legs amputated. This insightful decision by her mother allowed Rose to lead a fairly normal childhood.

Source: http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk/misc/rosesiggins.html

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Rosemarie (Rose) Siggins - Extraordinary People

Rose SigginsBorn with a rare genetic disorder known as Sacral Agenesis, Rose had severely deformed legs with feet pointing in opposite directions. There was no feeling in the legs and, as a child, she was in danger of harming herself. When she was two years old her mother, after consulting with the doctors at the hospital, decided that the best course of action was to have the legs amputated. This insightful decision by her mother allowed Rose to lead a fairly normal childhood.

Source: http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk/misc/rosesiggins.html

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Brett Smrz began his racing career at the age of thirteen and quickly found his way to the front of the pack. In the three years spent racing karts, Brett won nine championship titles, and in 2006, was awarded the Ekarting News “Young Driver of the Year” award.

In 2007, Brett began racing in the SCCA San Francisco Region Formula Ford 1600 series, winning his first race at Infineon raceway. Just two weeks later, Brett entered the opening round of the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup sports car series, held at the Houston Grand Prix. Brett put it on pole, and then followed it up with a third place finish in the main event.

The following weekend would change Brett’s life forever, as an off track accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. After ten surgeries and months of physical therapy, Brett returned to racing with the hopes that his accident would not effect his driving.

Brett’s first race back was at the SCCA San Francisco Region Formula Ford 1600 series Triple Header round, held at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Raceway. Brett put it on pole for all three races and followed it up with three wins. Brett finished the season with another victory in the F1600 class at Mazda Raceway, and set a new course record in the process.


Source: http://www.brettsmrz.com/about/

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Brett Smrz began his racing career at the age of thirteen and quickly found his way to the front of the pack. In the three years spent racing karts, Brett won nine championship titles, and in 2006, was awarded the Ekarting News “Young Driver of the Year” award.

In 2007, Brett began racing in the SCCA San Francisco Region Formula Ford 1600 series, winning his first race at Infineon raceway. Just two weeks later, Brett entered the opening round of the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup sports car series, held at the Houston Grand Prix. Brett put it on pole, and then followed it up with a third place finish in the main event.

The following weekend would change Brett’s life forever, as an off track accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. After ten surgeries and months of physical therapy, Brett returned to racing with the hopes that his accident would not effect his driving.

Brett’s first race back was at the SCCA San Francisco Region Formula Ford 1600 series Triple Header round, held at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Raceway. Brett put it on pole for all three races and followed it up with three wins. Brett finished the season with another victory in the F1600 class at Mazda Raceway, and set a new course record in the process.


Source: http://www.brettsmrz.com/about/

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

CariDee English is an American fashion model and TV personality who won Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model in December 2006. Her prize was a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a modeling contract with Elite Models, and a six-page fashion editorial and cover for Seventeen magazine. She is the second ANTM winner from North Dakota, the first being Nicole Linkletter of Cycle 5.[2] English is also the host of Oxygen's biggest premiering show to date, Pretty Wicked.


English was born in Fargo, North Dakota. She is of Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ancestry. English was named CariDee by her brother, after both Carrie from Little House on the Prairie and her grandmother, whose name is Dee.[3] Before appearing on America's Next Top Model, English worked as a photographer, and was also an actor in the sketch comedy group known as The 4th Option, which performed weekly in the old East Gate Lounge in Moorhead, Minnesota. On December 13, 2004 she sang with the Willy Waldman Project. She was a listed model with the Academie Agencie in Fargo North Dakota in 2001. She entered the Millie Lewis Actors Models and Talent Competition in 2002 and was placed with Mega Models in Miami Florida for the summer of 2003, then returned to Fargo at the end of the summer. English has suffered from the skin condition psoriasis for 15 years.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CariDee_English

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

CariDee English is an American fashion model and TV personality who won Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model in December 2006. Her prize was a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a modeling contract with Elite Models, and a six-page fashion editorial and cover for Seventeen magazine. She is the second ANTM winner from North Dakota, the first being Nicole Linkletter of Cycle 5.[2] English is also the host of Oxygen's biggest premiering show to date, Pretty Wicked.


English was born in Fargo, North Dakota. She is of Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ancestry. English was named CariDee by her brother, after both Carrie from Little House on the Prairie and her grandmother, whose name is Dee.[3] Before appearing on America's Next Top Model, English worked as a photographer, and was also an actor in the sketch comedy group known as The 4th Option, which performed weekly in the old East Gate Lounge in Moorhead, Minnesota. On December 13, 2004 she sang with the Willy Waldman Project. She was a listed model with the Academie Agencie in Fargo North Dakota in 2001. She entered the Millie Lewis Actors Models and Talent Competition in 2002 and was placed with Mega Models in Miami Florida for the summer of 2003, then returned to Fargo at the end of the summer. English has suffered from the skin condition psoriasis for 15 years.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CariDee_English

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Arnolt Schlick (July 18?,[1] c. 1455–1460 – after 1521) was a German organist, lutenist and composer of the Renaissance. He was most probably born in Heidelberg and by 1482 established himself as court organist for the Electoral Palatinate. Highly regarded by his superiors and colleagues alike, Schlick played at important historical events, such as the election of Maximilian I as King of the Romans, and was widely sought after as organ consultant throughout his career. The last known references to him are from 1521; the circumstances of his death are unknown.

Schlick was blind for much of his life, possibly from birth. However, that did not stop him from publishing his work. He is best known for Spiegel der Orgelmacher und Organisten (1511), the first German treatise on building and playing organs. This work, highly influential during the 16th century, was republished in 1869 and is regarded today as one of the most important books of its kind.[2] Schlick's surviving compositions include Tabulaturen etlicher lobgesang (1512), a collection of organ and lute music, and a few pieces in manuscript. The lute pieces—mostly settings of popular songs—are among the earliest published;

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnolt_Schlick

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Arnolt Schlick (July 18?,[1] c. 1455–1460 – after 1521) was a German organist, lutenist and composer of the Renaissance. He was most probably born in Heidelberg and by 1482 established himself as court organist for the Electoral Palatinate. Highly regarded by his superiors and colleagues alike, Schlick played at important historical events, such as the election of Maximilian I as King of the Romans, and was widely sought after as organ consultant throughout his career. The last known references to him are from 1521; the circumstances of his death are unknown.

Schlick was blind for much of his life, possibly from birth. However, that did not stop him from publishing his work. He is best known for Spiegel der Orgelmacher und Organisten (1511), the first German treatise on building and playing organs. This work, highly influential during the 16th century, was republished in 1869 and is regarded today as one of the most important books of its kind.[2] Schlick's surviving compositions include Tabulaturen etlicher lobgesang (1512), a collection of organ and lute music, and a few pieces in manuscript. The lute pieces—mostly settings of popular songs—are among the earliest published;

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnolt_Schlick

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Henriett Seth F. (also known as Henriett Seth-F., in Hungarian Seth F. Henriett; born 1980, Eger) is a Hungarian autistic savant poet, writer and artist.

Henriett didn't make eye contact in her childhood, and she had echolalia. She was diagnosed with high-functioning autism by Dr. Anna Balazs, director of the Hungarian Autism Research Group (Autizmus Alapítvány és Kutatócsoport).[1] She also has three autoimmune disorders.

She played flute at the age of 7 and contrabass at the age of 11. Henriett had a long history of art in her childhood; beginning at age thirteen, she painted abstract and surrealist paintings in the House of Arts, Eger, [2] and Hotel Stadion of Budapest in the East-European Autism Conference, 2004. [3]. She was a child prodigy with Raven IQ above 140 and is considered to be a genius. She won the Géza Gárdonyi Prize at the age of 18 for her art and literature. Henriett went to Eszterhazy College at the age of 18 [4] to the Psychology Institution. She wrote a book: Autizmussal önmagamba zárva ("Closed into myself with autism") in 2005 that were published by the Hungarian Autism Research Group and Ministry for the National Cultural Heritage. Henriett was invited to the Sandor Friderikusz's [5] documentary film, to Szólás Szabadsága ("Freedom of Speech"), in 2005, that was seen by 700,000 people. This documentary film was entitled "Rain Girl". In 2006 Henriett wrote her second book, Autizmus - Egy másik világ("Autism - Another World"). That work was published by University of Pécs, in the New Galaxy anthology. Henriett won the 6th place prize in the International Literature Competition in 2000, at the age of 19. She won in first in 2001, at the age of 20 (by International Alliance of Hungarian Writers). Henriett wrote novels and poems during her childhood, as well as in college life to the periodical Esőember ("Rain Man"). She showed her last art work in Brody Sandor Public Library in June, 2007. [6], [7]. Henriett made a documentary film from her high - functioning autistic half - brother (David, born 2003) entitled "Rain Boy" in September, 2009. [8].

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henriett_Seth-F.

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Henriett Seth F. (also known as Henriett Seth-F., in Hungarian Seth F. Henriett; born 1980, Eger) is a Hungarian autistic savant poet, writer and artist.

Henriett didn't make eye contact in her childhood, and she had echolalia. She was diagnosed with high-functioning autism by Dr. Anna Balazs, director of the Hungarian Autism Research Group (Autizmus Alapítvány és Kutatócsoport).[1] She also has three autoimmune disorders.

She played flute at the age of 7 and contrabass at the age of 11. Henriett had a long history of art in her childhood; beginning at age thirteen, she painted abstract and surrealist paintings in the House of Arts, Eger, [2] and Hotel Stadion of Budapest in the East-European Autism Conference, 2004. [3]. She was a child prodigy with Raven IQ above 140 and is considered to be a genius. She won the Géza Gárdonyi Prize at the age of 18 for her art and literature. Henriett went to Eszterhazy College at the age of 18 [4] to the Psychology Institution. She wrote a book: Autizmussal önmagamba zárva ("Closed into myself with autism") in 2005 that were published by the Hungarian Autism Research Group and Ministry for the National Cultural Heritage. Henriett was invited to the Sandor Friderikusz's [5] documentary film, to Szólás Szabadsága ("Freedom of Speech"), in 2005, that was seen by 700,000 people. This documentary film was entitled "Rain Girl". In 2006 Henriett wrote her second book, Autizmus - Egy másik világ("Autism - Another World"). That work was published by University of Pécs, in the New Galaxy anthology. Henriett won the 6th place prize in the International Literature Competition in 2000, at the age of 19. She won in first in 2001, at the age of 20 (by International Alliance of Hungarian Writers). Henriett wrote novels and poems during her childhood, as well as in college life to the periodical Esőember ("Rain Man"). She showed her last art work in Brody Sandor Public Library in June, 2007. [6], [7]. Henriett made a documentary film from her high - functioning autistic half - brother (David, born 2003) entitled "Rain Boy" in September, 2009. [8].

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henriett_Seth-F.

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

HAPA was born and raised in the heart of San Francisco. Although his younger days were spent with the boy scouts and playing league sports, he was always drawn to his parent's old vinyl records. After trying to put together mixtapes using two cassette tape decks, HAPA got his first set of turntables in high school and began to develop his craft as a DJ. He didn't realize it at the time, but his mentorship and leadership role as a counselor for a church summer camp throughout high school, was his first experience in grabbing and keeping the attention of crowds with his ability to inspire.

Perhaps one of the most challenging moments in HAPA's life came shortly after being diagnosed with Epilepsy just months before he was to graduate from high school. Doctors told him that the stress of college life would not be "possible" with the condition as the on going seizures would cause brain damage, or worse. Determined not to let anything stop him from achieving any of his dreams or aspirations, HAPA accepted the offer to attend UCLA with the highly regarded Regents scholarship, and moved to Los Angeles.

Despite struggling through seizures and on top of the normal workload and stress a college student experiences, HAPA co-founded Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, was a member of Exquisite Sounds DJ Crew, and even started a business venture with two of his friends -- DJ City, now one of the largest online vinyl and digital music record stores. Shortly after opening REHAB Projects – a vinyl record and lifestyle clothing store in West Los Angeles – is when Hapa's DJ career really took off.


Source: http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/dj_hapa

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

HAPA was born and raised in the heart of San Francisco. Although his younger days were spent with the boy scouts and playing league sports, he was always drawn to his parent's old vinyl records. After trying to put together mixtapes using two cassette tape decks, HAPA got his first set of turntables in high school and began to develop his craft as a DJ. He didn't realize it at the time, but his mentorship and leadership role as a counselor for a church summer camp throughout high school, was his first experience in grabbing and keeping the attention of crowds with his ability to inspire.

Perhaps one of the most challenging moments in HAPA's life came shortly after being diagnosed with Epilepsy just months before he was to graduate from high school. Doctors told him that the stress of college life would not be "possible" with the condition as the on going seizures would cause brain damage, or worse. Determined not to let anything stop him from achieving any of his dreams or aspirations, HAPA accepted the offer to attend UCLA with the highly regarded Regents scholarship, and moved to Los Angeles.

Despite struggling through seizures and on top of the normal workload and stress a college student experiences, HAPA co-founded Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, was a member of Exquisite Sounds DJ Crew, and even started a business venture with two of his friends -- DJ City, now one of the largest online vinyl and digital music record stores. Shortly after opening REHAB Projects – a vinyl record and lifestyle clothing store in West Los Angeles – is when Hapa's DJ career really took off.


Source: http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/dj_hapa

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, (born October 7, 1951) is a Grammy-winning American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his rootsy, organic brand of heartland rock that is infused with catchy pop hooks and evocative, introspective lyrics about such hot-button subjects as politics, racism, poverty and mortality. Mellencamp has brought together rock, folk, country, blues and R&B into his eclectic body of work.

He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and he has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one

Mellencamp was born in Seymour, Indiana, with a mild form of spina bifida that necessitated a lengthy stay in the hospital as a baby.[2] He is descended from German immigrant Johann Herman Möhlenkamp, who came to the White Creek area of Bartholomew County, Indiana in 1855.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mellencamp

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, (born October 7, 1951) is a Grammy-winning American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his rootsy, organic brand of heartland rock that is infused with catchy pop hooks and evocative, introspective lyrics about such hot-button subjects as politics, racism, poverty and mortality. Mellencamp has brought together rock, folk, country, blues and R&B into his eclectic body of work.

He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and he has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one

Mellencamp was born in Seymour, Indiana, with a mild form of spina bifida that necessitated a lengthy stay in the hospital as a baby.[2] He is descended from German immigrant Johann Herman Möhlenkamp, who came to the White Creek area of Bartholomew County, Indiana in 1855.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mellencamp

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Andrea Bocelli, Grande Ufficiale OMRI (born 22 September 1958) is a five-time Classical Brit winner[1] and three-time Grammy-nominated Italian tenor.

Since his debut album Il mare calmo della sera, released in 1994, he has recorded over 22 pop and classical albums, including seven complete operas, five of which have made it to the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and a record-setting 7 have made it to No. 1, on the US Classical albums charts.[2] He has sold over 70 million albums worldwide[3][4][5], and is widely regarded as the most popular Italian singer in the world.[6]

In a 2008 opinion poll, Classic FM (UK) listeners and Radio Times readers voted Bocelli the UK's third favourite male singer, higher than any other non-British artist, including opera legends, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.[7]

It was evident at birth that he had problems with his sight, and after visits to many doctors Bocelli was diagnosed with glaucoma. In 1970, at the age of 12, he completely lost his sight after an accident during a football game[8]. As a young boy, Bocelli showed a great passion for music. His mother, Edi, has said that music was the only thing that would comfort him. At the age of six he started piano lessons, and later also learned to play the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harp, guitar and drums.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Bocelli

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Andrea Bocelli, Grande Ufficiale OMRI (born 22 September 1958) is a five-time Classical Brit winner[1] and three-time Grammy-nominated Italian tenor.

Since his debut album Il mare calmo della sera, released in 1994, he has recorded over 22 pop and classical albums, including seven complete operas, five of which have made it to the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and a record-setting 7 have made it to No. 1, on the US Classical albums charts.[2] He has sold over 70 million albums worldwide[3][4][5], and is widely regarded as the most popular Italian singer in the world.[6]

In a 2008 opinion poll, Classic FM (UK) listeners and Radio Times readers voted Bocelli the UK's third favourite male singer, higher than any other non-British artist, including opera legends, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.[7]

It was evident at birth that he had problems with his sight, and after visits to many doctors Bocelli was diagnosed with glaucoma. In 1970, at the age of 12, he completely lost his sight after an accident during a football game[8]. As a young boy, Bocelli showed a great passion for music. His mother, Edi, has said that music was the only thing that would comfort him. At the age of six he started piano lessons, and later also learned to play the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harp, guitar and drums.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Bocelli

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

James Jason Mecir (born on May 16, 1970 in Queens, New York) is an American former baseball player. He played for five teams in an 11-year career, and retired from the Florida Marlins in 2005. He is a right-handed pitcher.

Mecir is notable for having overcome a birth defect (namely club feet) to become an effective Major League pitcher, as well as for being the last pitcher to regularly throw a screwball. He spent 4½ years as a member of the Oakland Athletics, and is prominently mentioned in Michael Lewis's bestselling book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mecir

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

James Jason Mecir (born on May 16, 1970 in Queens, New York) is an American former baseball player. He played for five teams in an 11-year career, and retired from the Florida Marlins in 2005. He is a right-handed pitcher.

Mecir is notable for having overcome a birth defect (namely club feet) to become an effective Major League pitcher, as well as for being the last pitcher to regularly throw a screwball. He spent 4½ years as a member of the Oakland Athletics, and is prominently mentioned in Michael Lewis's bestselling book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mecir

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

[Kr_iyer]

Robert Merrill (June 4, 1917 – October 23, 2004) was an American operatic baritone.


Merrill was born Morris (Moishe) Miller in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, to tailor Abraham Miller, originally Milstein, and his wife Lillian, née Balaban, immigrants from Warsaw, Poland. Lillian claimed to have had an operatic and concert career in Poland (a fact denied by her son in his biographies) and encouraged her son to have early voice training: he had a tendency to stutter, which disappeared when singing. Merrill was inspired to pursue professional singing lessons when he saw the baritone Richard Bonelli singing Count Di Luna in a performance of Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera, and paid for them with money earned as a semi-professional pitcher.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Merrill

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Robert Merrill (June 4, 1917 – October 23, 2004) was an American operatic baritone.


Merrill was born Morris (Moishe) Miller in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, to tailor Abraham Miller, originally Milstein, and his wife Lillian, née Balaban, immigrants from Warsaw, Poland. Lillian claimed to have had an operatic and concert career in Poland (a fact denied by her son in his biographies) and encouraged her son to have early voice training: he had a tendency to stutter, which disappeared when singing. Merrill was inspired to pursue professional singing lessons when he saw the baritone Richard Bonelli singing Count Di Luna in a performance of Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera, and paid for them with money earned as a semi-professional pitcher.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Merrill

_________________
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE