Living Life without LIMITATIONS "I found that I could do anything I wanted to, if I put my mind to it. I found that I can do anything in life, if I go for it," freshman Michael Doherty said. Freshman Michael Doherty was born with no legs and only one arm, but that did not stop him from living his life to the fullest extent. With the addition of prosthetic legs, he did just about everything a person with all four limbs could do, from riding a mechanical bull to running in multiple races. Table tennis was a favorite pastime of Doherty's who became proficient in the sport. Knowing no other life than one with what some would call a disability, Doherty lived a life without limitation or fear. Doherty was born in Taipei, Taiwan, where his Buddhist biological parents thought he was a curse from Buddha because of his condition. They sent him to an orphanage where an American family soon decided to adopt him. While the adoption process was under way, an American missionary family was asked to teach English to Doherty. When the original adoption fell through, the American missionaries adopted Doherty and made him a part of their family. "I do believe it was God's hand at work," Doherty said. "My parents said that even though the adoption process fell through, they could not give me back to the orphanage because they had fallen in love with me, and I had started to call them mommy and daddy." Doherty was thankful that God put him in the care of such loving, Christian people that became his family. According to Doherty, if he had been born with all of his limbs, he would have grown up in Taiwan under a Buddhist influence and would never have known God. Doherty's attitude about his situation was an inspiration to his friends and classmates. Jillian Murphy, a friend from Doherty's home church, said that he was so comfortable with himself he even liked to joke around about his physical condition. "Being friends with Michael has really showed me that attitude and outlook has a lot to do with the way you are," Murphy said. "He could be very upset about the way he is and always comparing himself to others, but rather he decides to have a great attitude and use it to be unique and fun. His attitude is contagious and makes you want to have a better outlook on life and tough situations." Friends of Doherty attested to the joy that he radiated and the way he touched people's lives. They said their own hearts and attitudes were different because of his influence. "Michael always seems to have a smile on his face, a spring in his step and positive thoughts on his mind. His interactions with others always seem to leave them feeling better and uplifted, which is quite difficult to come by," freshman and friend of Doherty's, Aidan Odell said. "As far as I am concerned, Michael is a wonderful person to be around." According to Doherty, he loved to tell his story and to share what miraculous things God did for him. His life was about more than overcoming a physical disability. He would not settle for that, though that alone was a difficult task. He lived a life of spirit and heart, sharing his love for God with everyone he met. Jordan Honeycutt Freshman Feature 1163
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