On October 8, 1994, at age 20, I was shot by a rival gang member during an altercation three times — in the head, neck and arm. Blinded, and with a bullet lodged in my shoulder, I still continued to gang-bang for 13 more years, dealing drugs and even taking part in street battles.
While dealing, in fact, I was involved in so many violent fights that my upper body became literally “twisted” in pain. During that time, I was also in and out of jails, including once facing 16 years in prison, which I was able to beat.
Wanting to do something more positive with my dead-end life, I went to a special school run by the Foundation for the Junior Blind. When I graduated, I decided to leave the whole gang life behind. That was in September 2007.
I approached Father Greg Boyle at Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention and youth development program in Los Angeles. When Father Greg gave me a job as a motivational speaker, I began mentoring kids out of gangs and away from drugs.
For the first time, I really felt like, “Now I'm not taking life from the streets, I'm giving life to the streets.
I became a certified Gang Intervention and Prevention Counselor. Today, I mentor at-risk youths about not using drugs and joining gangs, plus help gang members to leave that lethal lifestyle. I also speak to teachers, counselors, therapists and probation officers as well as conduct workshops for church groups and leaders of all denominations. My subjects range from self-esteem building to stopping street violence in neighborhoods.
But my blindness and the suffering I've been through speaks volumes before I even open my mouth: The rush you get from gangbanging is never — never! — worth the pain you cause others and yourself. Sadly, I found that out too late.
Along the way, I've developed my own streetwise curriculum addressing tough issues like domestic violence, anger management, stress reduction, substance abuse and, most importantly, why you should never get involved with a gang and how to leave that destructive life for a more meaningful one. It is doable, and I am living proo
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In 2011, I even ran in and finished the Los Angeles Marathon. If a blind guy can do that, at-risk kids and gang members can certainly change.
In 2012, I began the process of tattoo removal, and trust me it is painful.
In 2013, I was baptized in St. Anthony Church across the street from where I lost my vision. I thank God that Reverend Austin C. Doran became my Godfather.
In 2014, I was able to expunge my criminal record and was approved for the VISTO program. This enables me to go to Central Juvenile Hall and boot camps as a volunteer.
I am a living testament that change is possible.
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