Throughout my life, I have had many challenges and hurdles to overcome. Though sometimes I felt like giving up, there was someone who was always there no matter what—Jesus Christ. My family and friends were very supportive; however they could not always be with me. As you read this testimony, you will see that Christ has a plan for you from the beginning of your existence as He does for me. It is up to you, whether you choose to follow Christ or not for it is by our own free will that we accept Him (Romans 10: 9-10). I also hope you see that though I am disabled, I have gone through many of the same struggles, temptations, and hardships that other people face in life. I also hope that you may come to know the joy, happiness, love, forgiveness, assurance, and the most awesome gift of all—salvation—that Christ brings into a person’s life.
I was born on August 22, 1982 with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. I was in the care of Children’s Home Society of North Carolina in Greensboro, North Carolina and my foster mother Ann Cowles and her loving family who took wonderful care of me. Nine months later on April 12, 1983, I was adopted by two wonderful, God- fearing parents, Murrell and Joan Broadway. I have been blessed with a wonderful family who has supported me for all my life. When I think about adoption, I’m reminded of the story of Moses—the first biblical adoption. The story is found in God’s Word in Exodus 2:3-10. This is where I believe God ordains adoption. Though I had a disability, my family raised me like all the rest of my siblings. I have two older brothers, Jeffrey and Patrick, and one older sister, Jill. Whether it was sibling rivalry, playing games such as basketball, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, riding on the skateboard, or just being a normal kid, I was always treated as an equal. My parents raised me as an equal; they always pushed me to never give up on my goals and dreams. I can remember my dad’s favorite saying to me “I can’t doesn’t live here.” Whether it was in physical therapy, surgery or anything else in life, he never wanted me to give up or think I could not do it. My mother was the same way; she started educating me from an early age even before preschool. My mother’s father was the late Rev. Clifton Taylor Rice, an Original Free Will Baptist minister who preached for over seventy years. From as early as I can remember he always said “You’ll be a minister one day.” Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were very supportive of me.
My parents raised me in the church with good Christian morals. For a large majority of my life I grew up in Spilman Memorial Baptist Church. I felt the call to receive Christ at the age of nine. It was at my parent’s kitchen table after supper one night in late October. I felt like I was missing out on something that everyone knew about. I had told my parents that I felt like God was calling me to receive salvation and be baptized.
It was around Thanksgiving when they scheduled my baptism. I can remember my whole family being involved. Because I have CP, I could not get up to the baptismal pool and my brothers and my father had to carry me up the stairs to the baptismal. My brothers had to assist me into the pool. Reverend Knight was the minister who baptized me. My Grandfather Rice gave the prayer after my baptism. It was a very special event to me because everyone was involved in one aspect or another. Although baptism is an important commandment to show our outward dedication to Christ, I believe that you can have salvation and not be baptized.
A few months later I went into the hospital to have a procedure done to cut the lower spastic nerves in my spinal cord. I was very nervous; it was a major surgery at the time. Up until the day of the surgery, I felt God’s peace and knew I was going to be okay and that He was going to protect me and was comforted by Philippians 4:6-8. I have had many surgeries, but at that early age, not understanding surgery and the healing process, surgery would have been very difficult without trusting God. I’m not saying there weren’t times that I wanted it to all end, but I knew I was going to be okay because God was there. I’m no better than anyone else, but I knew God was going to take care of me.
I grew up in public school from kindergarten through fifth grade. My parents were very instrumental in my education and fought for me to be in the regular classroom with my peers and friends. My parents knew that with the right educational modifications I could be successful in a regular education environment. They fought for me to have a computer and accessible materials so that I could accomplish the work at hand. After many rounds with the public school system, my parents and I decided to home-school me so that I could get a better education with the modifications I needed. Before I was home-schooled, I was testing below grade level. When I graduated from high school, after being home-schooled, I tested a sophomore in college. I’m not saying this to put down special education programs or public school systems (My wife is a public school teacher). What I am saying is that even though people may say and imply that you will never graduate nor give you the modifications you need to complete your schooling—don’t give up. If there is one thing I have learned from God’s Word and from my parents it is that all things are possible through Jesus Christ and to never give up—even when the odds are against you.
When I was a teenager, some people thought that if you were disabled or home-schooled, you lived in a bubble. They thought that you were not exposed to peer pressure or that you did not go through the same changes and pressures that your peers went through. I’m here to tell you that this is a big misconception. I went through the same changes and peer pressure, as everyone else did. The only difference was I went through it sitting down. When I was 13 years old, I wanted to feel accepted in just like every other teenager does. I started hanging out with the older teenagers in my neighborhood because at the time I thought it was cool. They would have parties and cookouts and invited me to join them. These parties are where I became exposed to alcohol and drugs. You might think—where were his parents? They were there. I was frustrated that I didn’t have many friends and that I could not find a girlfriend that would accept me for me and would look past my disability and the wheelchair. I was going through a lot of changes mentally, physically, and spiritually—depression, temptation and much more. The one thing I will never understand—and I know it had to be the Lord Jesus protecting me—is that I never even was offered alcohol or drugs by these friends. Nor did I even have the desire to try either the alcohol or the drugs. I think the reason is that my parents always raised me in knowing right from wrong. All I wanted to do was hang out and feel accepted. Even being around that situation, made me feel like I was doing something wrong. All the while, I was still going to church knowing that hanging around that type of influence was wrong. Even though I wasn’t partaking of any of the activity, I felt that I was just as guilty (Romans 12:2). Amazingly, now, one of the friends that were involved with drugs and alcohol is saved and serving God as a pastor, using their experiences for the glory of God.
When I was fourteen, I really wanted to do Martial Arts, but my parents were very skeptical about me going into the Martial Arts with my disability. We went down to Kevin Cauley’s Karate School one night and talked to him. My parents explained to him their fears and concerns with me entering the Martial Arts. Kevin explained to us that he didn’t know how far he could take me, but that he would try to teach me that best he could. Two months later, I was actually learning the first techniques that one learns in Martial Arts and adapting them to my ability. Unfortunately, his school was closed but he referred anyone who was interested his teacher/master, Shihan Lemuel “Doc” Stroud. Fortunately for me, my parents knew Mr. Stroud. My dad took me down to the dojo on Vernon Ave. in Kinston—a little white cinderblock building with no ramp, no air conditioning, wooden roof, cement floors with a mat—but I could not get in because there was no ramp. My dad got Mr. Stroud’s attention and asked him to come outside for a minute, so Mr. Stroud stopped class and came outside. I had heard of him, but never seen him before. When he stepped outside, he was about 5’6” and looked to be about 50 years old. Little did I know, he was in his sixties. With muscles everywhere, he had a Tyson vs. Hollifield shirt on with gi (karate uniform) pants on, giving me the impression that he was very caring and down to earth. He is now like a grandfather to me. I told him that I had started taking classes with one of his students named Kevin Cauley and that I wasn’t sure what he thought of my ability, but I would like to continue my training and give 110%. Then “Doc” said “I don’t know how far I can take you, but I will be glad to teach you what I know. If you want to start tonight, I’ll have two or three of my guys pick your wheelchair up and set you in the dojo and we’ll start right away.” We all laughed and I politely declined. My dad said that we would come back next week and he would make me a ramp. I went back the next week and I never left. In May of 2000, I received my first degree black belt in Jiujitsu and Karate and in February of 2003 I received a second degree black belt in Jiujitsu and Judo. These accomplishments were in spite of the doctors’ and therapists’ orders and my parent’s doubts. My parent’s doubts had quickly turned into my parent’s encouragement. Over the years, my Martial Arts colleagues have been like a family to me and have supported me in whatever I have chosen to do. I proved to the nay-sayers that with God, determination and perseverance that you can do anything you set your mind to. I whole-heartedly believe in Philippians 4:13.
One Sunday night when I was fourteen my youth group met at my youth pastor’s house and I heard my friend talking about a Christian coffee house called the Hiding Place. I asked my youth pastor that night after the youth service if he had ever been to this Christian coffee house and he said no. I asked him if he could take me one weekend. He said he would be glad to. About two weeks later, we went on a Saturday night just to see what it was like. Only two people were there at the time because the rest of them had all gone to a Christian concert. The two that were there were Gurmen and Judy. Judy met me at the door, smiling and gave me a hug which caught me off guard for a minute because at fourteen, you don’t normally want hugs if you’re a guy. They told me a little bit about the place and it wasn’t a normal night because everyone had gone to the concert. So, they asked me to come back the next weekend and I did. I eventually became a member of their staff and really felt like God was moving in my life again. I would go every weekend to the coffee house and to church on Sunday. Over time I really wanted to serve God and I felt God was calling me to serve Him in a little way—nothing big.
On August 28, 1998, a Christian contemporary band called Refuge was playing at the Hiding Place and there was a guest youth minister speaking that night. He talked about how he had ministered to youth that were depressed, hurting, wanted to feel accepted, didn’t know where to turn. Some youth had even thought about committing suicide and he shared a part of their stories and how God had turned their life around after they had accepted Jesus into their lives. After hearing the youth pastor speak, I had a feeling that I couldn’t explain. It was like God was pulling at my heart in a way I had never experienced before—it was more intimate than ever and the next thing I knew, I was up at the altar rededicating my life to Christ. For the first time in my life, I really felt like there was this fire inside of me that God was stirring up and nothing could stop it. It was like a whirlwind of joy and acceptance, faith and inspiration, and determination that I could do whatever it takes to achieve things in my life. I finally felt accepted. Yes I had a family, yes I had friends, and yes, my parents were there all along. You can say well, where were your parents when you felt down and out? They were there; I just wouldn’t let them in. You can say why would you go down the street in your neighborhood and hang out with those guys? I felt like they would accept me. Later on I knew that they would accept me, but only for who I was on the outside. For the first time in my life on that night, I finally felt accepted on the inside. There was an unquenchable fire and urge that I wanted to tell everyone about Jesus and I wanted to serve Him (Jeremiah 20:9, Luke 24:32). I also had a desire to know Him through His Word, the Bible.
The next year the Hiding Place youth and staff went to an Easter revival and drama at Northwest School, my old elementary school. The evangelist was from Canada and he was talking about serving God and about the souls he had seen come to Christ. For a while before the revival, I felt God was calling me to do something greater. I had been working with several ministries that did street ministry and other evangelism. On that night April 10, 1999, at the end of the revival, I felt God call me into the ministry. He gave me the name of the ministry He wanted me to found and serve under— Wheels on Fire for Christ Ministry, Inc. I prayed to Christ that He would always be in charge of it because I did not want any of the credit or any of the glory and that’s how the ministry is operated today, with God at the head of its leadership.
Wheels on Fire for Christ Ministry, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that operates under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service and was incorporated in the State of North Carolina January 25th, 2002. This ministry adheres to all policies and regulations set forth by the federal, state, and local government, including the IRS. Wheels on Fire for Christ Ministry, Inc. name was derived from Daniel 7:9. It is a motivational speaking, youth outreach, disability awareness and advocacy ministry that is non-denominational, fundamentally sound, and fully based upon the Word of God.
If it wasn’t for Him, I would not be here. I would not have done the things in my life or been the person I am, if it wasn’t for Him.
Today, I am a happily married man in whom you could not have told me eighteen years ago that I would be married to my soul mate, much less even have a girlfriend. I believe God chose her just for me; she has a lot of love, a lot of caring, and she reminds me who I am and what I was created to do—especially my responsibility to God and the ministry. She is a godly woman; I love her with all my heart and she reminds me of Proverbs 31. We were married on Sunday, July 3, 2005. We chose Sunday to represent the importance of Christ in our lives and how a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). It was one of the happiest days of my life.
Shortly after we were married, we began planning for a family. Some people thought that I would never be able to have children because I was in a wheelchair. My wife and I even had a doctor tell us that we could not have children because of my disability. However, on June 15, 2007, my wife and I found out that we were expecting a baby. On February 15, 2008, my wife gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl that we named Rachel Elizabeth Broadway. Her name actually means “Little Lamb, consecrated to God.” This proves that all things are possible to them that rely on the Lord.
Shortly after Rachel was born, our faith was tested. At just four days old, Rachel had to be air-lifted back to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where she was born due to a high bilirubin. She stayed in the NICU for about two and one half days. During this time my wife and I were able to pray for the other children in the NICU and for their families. This was, yet again, God’s way of showing His plan for my wife and for me. My wife has a heart to help new mothers and promote breastfeeding to help babies become healthier.
In October 2008, I began discussing with my doctors about the possibility of receiving a Baclofen pump to relieve some of my spasticity. I was set up for a trial to determine if I was an eligible candidate for the pump. After seeing the miraculous effects of the intrathecal Baclofen on my body, I decided to go ahead with the surgery. A Baclofen pump is a small device about the size of a mini-DVD that releases Baclofen through a catheter to the spinal cord. Because I receive the medicine intrathecally, I do not have the side effects associated with the oral medication. The pump itself is located the right lower quadrant of my abdomen and the catheter runs along my right side into my spinal cord. My pump and catheter are subdural. The first surgery to insert the Baclofen pump went well. However, about six weeks later, the catheter that helps deliver the medicine came dislodged. This was my first emergency surgery concerning the pump. About a week later, I had a leak of fluid from my incision, requiring an additional emergency surgery. The wound was breeded out and cultures were taken to determine if there was an infection. Just when I thought I was in the clear, the cultures came back indicating that I indeed had an infection and the catheter would have to be removed. This meant surgery number four within two months. Over the next two weeks I had to have a PICC line and receive IV antibiotics. About six months later, I decided to have the surgery to reconnect my catheter. It went well and I have made it to two refill appointments to date! Praise the Lord for His miracles through medicine!
Through this whole experience, my faith was definitely tested. I had many times where I wondered what would be the outcome of this situation. I even wondered if I should have had the first surgery. I really feel that God put the doctors He wanted me to have in place and through this whole ordeal, God taught me to trust Him even more. It is a proven fact that faith and medicine go hand in hand. Luke was a physician that was also Jesus’ disciple. I believe that God has opened up doors for me with this pump by allowing me to do things I other wise could not have done, such as holding my daughter. I believe that I recovered more quickly this last time because of my faith. I am trusting in the Lord for more and more progress each day.
God has always put people and opportunities in my path and has constantly opened doors for me. In July of 2004 I had the opportunity to attend the National Youth Leadership Conference that promotes youth with disabilities to advocate for disability awareness. In Dec of 2003, I moved my church membership from Spilman Memorial Baptist to the First Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, NC where my wife and I currently attend. I received my license to preach from the Original Free Will Baptist Eastern Conference on February 6, 2005. From September of 2003-October of 2005, I served as a member of the Statewide Independent Living Council to help better the services provided in my state for individuals with disabilities. In 1999-2000, I was on the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities for a short time, but I learned a lot and do believe that it was a door that God had opened for me.
I say all that to say this: Jesus has shown me that through adversity, through people doubting, through myself doubting that I could achieve what I wanted to achieve. With God all things are possible and nothing is impossible if you have Jesus Christ in your life. Yes, there are times that I still get down, get frustrated, and wonder if I’ll ever complete the task before me (Psalm 73). But then I’m reminded of the scripture “If Christ is for me, then who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31)
The purpose of this testimony, I hope, is to show not only that with Christ and through Christ you can achieve your dreams with determination and perseverance, but also to show that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. They go through the same impulses, peer pressure, and struggles that everyone else does, to some degree more than the average person. People with disabilities are just as equal as everyone else. Through Christ, EVERYONE, is equal in God’s eyes (Ephesians 2:14). I could not have ever done half of the things that are in this testimony and gotten through half of the things that I’ve gotten through without Christ. I would like to thank each and everyone in my life who has contributed to my life in some form or fashion, even the nay-sayers. But most of all, I would like to thank Christ for giving me the life He has and for giving me the opportunity to serve Him. Thank you and God Bless.