Chicago "You're the Inspiration"

My social circle contains a handful of listeners who I met while working on the air in radio. Unlike some of my colleagues who used listeners an the request line as their personal Match.com, I actually made friends with folks. One such example is Tim who back in 2006 appeared on an on-air dating show I used to produce. Tim was a friend of another contestant named Dave -- who was the first (and later the final) contestant on the show. Dave informed me Tim would be perfect on the show, but he was working through the sting of a breakup and it would take some time. Tim eventually agreed to be on the show where won over the hearts of all of us who worked on the show.

At the time, Tim had just completed a 1,200 mile trek by foot to raise money for cerebral palsy. While working as a substitute teacher in 2001, Tim met a bright and witty young man named Mike whose cerebral palsy had him confined to a wheelchair. The two immediately bonded and Tim was hired to be Mike's helper around school. After years of struggling to answer "What do you want to do with you life?", Tim found his purpose. The duo's journey started at an Illinois middle school and led them to places no one would expect. Tim authored a book, started his own non-profit, created and starred in a web series and an inspirational stage show called Handicap This. Tim even made a second 1,200 mile trek to again raise money for his charity in 2016.

In 2011, Tim invited me to see Handicap This at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie during the show's infancy. During the touching performance, Tim shared stories of the obstacles that he and Mike faced throughout the years which made me laugh and even shed a few tears. Tim expertly describes Mike as not just someone bound to a wheelchair, but of a person with a sharp mind and infectious laugh who makes Seinfeld references and dreams just like everyone else. We're taught not to treat Mike differently simply because of his handicap. We don't need to avoid making eye contact with him for fear of him seeing the pity in our eyes. Mike is a person just like the rest of us. One tender moment from that 2011 show remains etched in my brain: Tim shares Mike's recurring dream in which he meets an attractive woman, is finally able to stand up from the shackles of his wheelchair to dance with her. Then, Mike wakes up and realizes it was his mind replaying this cruel dream.

Tim and Mike went on to perform the show for the next seven years making stops all across the country. This Friday, November 8th, is the final performance of Handicap This. Tickets are still available for this unforgettable night of inspiration. Given the current state of the world around us, we could all use a show that will leave us feeling inspired. Please consider buying tickets.