Leroy and Dartanyon were recently interviewed on WRUW-FM 91.1 (Cleveland).
Listen to the program here:
Special Guest Appearance on BET’s Mo’Nique Show
Posted on October 18, 2009.
Recently Leroy and Dartanyon flew to Atlanta to tape a segment for BET Television’s Mo’Nique Show. It was a great experience for the two of them! They had the opportunity to witness the fast-paced, inner-workings of a television studio as well as the energy and excitement of Atlanta. You can catch Mo’Nique’s fun and touching interview Monday, October 19th on BET at 11PM EST. (If you have cable, chances are you get BET.)
Below are Leroy and Dartanyon’s first person accounts of what it was like to appear on the show. By the way, a special thanks goes out to Lincoln West High School Wrestling Coaches Mr. Robinson & Mr. Hons for continuing to be there for Leroy & Dartanyon.
Leroy’s thoughts…
Dar and I had a trip to the A-T-L with Coach Robinson. That was an awesome trip. We went down to be on the Mo’Nique show. When I got there, I knew I was going to meet my favorite female comedian – Mo’Nique. But, I didn’t expect to meet my favorite male comedian — Kevin Hart. I also got to meet multiplatinum artist Musiq Soulchild. Meeting those three was one of my dreams. To be told that we were an inspiration by Kevin, Mo’Nique, and Musiq, well that just made my soul tickle. I got moments that people would die for – to joke with Kevin Hart and to sing to Musiq Soulchild and to be on Mo’Nique show. I feel like so lucky to have that moment and hope I can have it again one day. I also hope someday I can help make other people’s dreams come true.
Dartanyon’s reaction…
The past couple of weeks have been just wonderful. Words cannot explain how great my experiences were, especially on the Atlanta trip. It was the first time I was ever star-struck. We met Mo’nique, who is an actress and comedian. She flew Leroy and I out to Atlanta to be on her new BET talk show. It was amazing. Mo’nique is a wonderful person. She is totally hilarious. We also met Kevin Hart and Musiq Soulchild. Those two are great! Music Soulchild is down to earth and easy to talk to. Atlanta is great as well. I hope I can go back and spend more time there one day.
Later that same week, Mr. Hons took Leroy and me to a health care conference in Columbus, Ohio. We were invited by the organizers. They showed our video and then brought us on stage to surprise the crowd. We got to tell more about our lives and answered a lot of questions. It went pretty well, and a lot of people took pictures with us. It was a fun day.
What Inspires Me To Carry On – By Dartanyon Crockett
Posted on September 25, 2009.
Recently, Dartanyon shared his struggles and his ultimate inspiration in an assignment for his English course at Cuyahoga Community College. We were touched by his candor and determination to never give up. We hope in some small way it inspires you to Carry On.
Reading this passage made me think of the struggles that I had to face to get to where I am today. There were many obstacles that I had to face along the way, including discouraging authority figures and even family members who truly believed that at one point I wouldn’t amount to anything. The disability that I have made me somewhat of an outcast when I was a lot younger. Through it all it still made me the person I am today.
The people that believed that I wouldn’t amount to anything taught me a tough and very valuable lesson in life. In life people will say some of the most hurtful things, and some or even most of those people will be the closest ones to you. That’s why you have to stay true to who you are. You can’t let what anyone tell you that you can’t reach you goals or turn your dreams into reality. No one can dictate where you will end up in life that’s up for you to decide.
I honestly, for a time never thought I would that I would ever make it this far. There would be points in my life that I would ask myself, “Where do I go from here?” and, “What do I do now?” At one point I thought school would be the hardest part of growing up; however, it was actually the easiest. It was like a short escape from the life that I had; the life that I didn’t want, but looking back on it now, the trails and hardships that I faced made me much stronger.
Life was hard growing up, it’s hard even now; however, when I was growing up I learned that you won’t gain anything if you don’t put in hard work. Through all the pain and struggle, the love and memory of one person is what kept me in my right state if mind. That person is my mother. She passed when I was eight years old. For a while I used to think I would never make it without her, but I realized that her love and spirit lives on within me. Knowing that she wanted the best for me and wants me to never give up, or give in to life’s temptations and cruelty’s, that is what kept me strong.
I still had people along the way that would help me, but my mother was my main inspiration. That’s why I cannot fail. I won’t fail. I also learned that failure comes to those who let it, but greatness comes to those who want it. If you don’t have faith in who you are and what you believe in, and ready to give up when life gets hard then you will surely fail. Life is a vigorous journey with many twist and turns ups and downs, for some it comes easy, as for others like me it come terrifyingly hard. That why at times, you have to struggle to get to where you want to be in life.
Dartanyon’s Colorado Adventure (September 25, 2009)
Posted on September 25, 2009.
In early September, the U.S. Paralympics flew Dartanyon and Leroy to Colorado Springs training headquarters.
Leroy Takes Flight (September 25, 2009)
Posted on September 25, 2009.
In early September, a gracious ESPN viewer gave Leroy the opportunity to visit his college of choice in Arizona to ensure he would be comfortable there. From there, the U.S. Paralympics flew him to Colorado Springs where he and Dartanyon visited the Olympic training headquarters.
What’s new? Lots of things! – Leroy 8-27-09
Posted on August 30, 2009.
Hello everyone. As far as the summer goes I’ve been good and am having fun taking a break from school. Last weekend I had the most fun day of the summer — LeBron James held a bike-a-thon for kids in Akron, OH, my hometown. He invited Dar and me down to meet him and see the show after the race. I’ll just say that Lebron James is too big to be human. He said he had seen the story and said it was amazing. Dartanyon and I danced on stage with Lebron, Nick Cannon, Lil JJ, and others. I thought that to be awesome that someone so high up is still so down. I felt a little stupid because I had nothing to say but “WOW.”
Next week my first flight on an airplane is coming up and I am kind of nervous. My first flight is to Arizona to see if Collins College has everything to accommodate my needs. And see what some of the classes are going to be like. Then I know what I need and what to expect. It is also to see if the housing is accessible to me and make sure I like the area. I will be sharing that moment with someone I consider to be family — Justin Hons. He is one of my favorite teachers and the assistant wrestling coach. He basically made me. He will be there to guide me and ask the questions that I need to know when I fly alone and get to school.
If everything goes well, I will start school at Collin in November thanks to all of you who have helped. And to everyone who helped and wrote in, thank you all so much. It’s hard for me to express how it makes me feel. I will keep you all updated on how things go. Arigato and jyane (thank you and see you).
My First Week of College – Dartanyon
Posted on August 26, 2009.
My first two days of college were great! I wasn’t really nervous about anything. I was just excited to start my classes. I am taking three courses — English, Philosophy, and Algebra. My algebra class doesn’t start until September 8th though. So far I like my class schedule and waiting to see how algebra turns out. I have always been interested in philosophy. I often think about questions that people don’t think to ask on a daily basis. It’s really fun to me. In English we will be reading the novel the Secret Life of Bees, and plus a novel of our choice which I haven’t chosen yet. So my classes are interesting and the teachers seem laid back. I liked them. I have a couple hours in between classes so I don’t have to rush anywhere. In high school, we only got three minutes in between classes and everything was rushed. Another difference is that you have to pay for everything in college, like books, breakfast and lunch. That was all free in high school. But thanks to all of you helping me, I’m worrying about this semester less than I thought I would have to.
Thank you so much.
Dartanyon
Dartanyon & Leroy express their thanks
Posted on August 14, 2009.
Dartanyon and Leroy have written personal letters of thanks to all those who have taken the time to watch, listen and share. Below are the links to the letters.
A Message From Dartanyon
Posted on August 14, 2009.
I want to thank you all for your support and believing in me. When I first read the comments that people posted on espn.com, I was in disbelief as to how many individuals were touched and inspired by Leroy and me. One thing I learned through our friendship is to be grateful for what little that we do have, and to be especially grateful for true friends. A true friend is hard to come by these days, and I am so thankful for Leroy’s friendship.
A Letter From Leroy
Posted on August 14, 2009.
Hello Everyone. I would like to start off by saying thank you for watching and reading the story of Dartanyon and me. I would like to give a special thanks to Lisa Fenn and Tom Rinaldi at ESPN for even considering telling our story. To all of the people who have reached out to us and to ESPN, I would like to thank you for showing such tremendous support.
