{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Just A Mom Podcast","title":"Episode 54 : Wesley Hamilton, Disabled But Not Really (https://disabledbutnotreally.org/) part 1","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1907,"description":"\nIntroduction: In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, host Susie welcomes Wesley Hamilton, a Kansas City native known for his personal struggles, foundation work, and TV stardom. Wesley reflects on his upbringing as a product of his challenging environment, growing up without his father, and battling low self-esteem and negative thinking. He shares how he once believed he wouldn't live past 21 due to societal expectations for young black men. Becoming a father marked a turning point, but an altercation led to a life-altering shooting incident, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The episode explores Wesley's journey from hopelessness to resilience.\n\nBackground and Upbringing\n\nWesley describes his upbringing as a product of his environment.\n\nGrew up in a single-parent home without a father figure during crucial adolescent stages.\n\nStruggled with self-esteem, lacked positive role models, and felt the impact of the inner city environment.\n\nAdmits to being influenced by older figures in the streets and developing a negative mindset.\n\nBelieved he wouldn't live past 21 due to societal expectations for young black men.\n\nHighlights the challenges of growing up in an environment that limited his perspective.\n\nLiving Recklessly and Seeking Change\n\nDiscusses the allure of the streets, drug dealers, and the desire for a better life.\n\nEmphasizes the lack of positive influences and role models, leading to a misguided pursuit of success.\n\nReflects on his disregard for education despite having potential and smart capabilities.\n\nTalks about dropping out of school, attempting to change his life through Job Corps, and facing challenges.\n\nExpresses the impact of poverty and the absence of exposure to life outside his community.\n\nDiscusses the negative mindset, feeling trapped, and the influence of media representations.\n\nBecoming a Father and Pivotal Moment\n\nBecoming a father at 22 and gaining full custody of his daughter at 23.\n\nHighlights the unexpected shift in...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/mYmWpcI13YljANPaztqyuDIJEH-3i2w9MgtV96qtZRo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNjc3LzE2NjE4/NzkzODAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}