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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.

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.

The Colorado trip was incredible! It was beyond explanation.  The day that I was scheduled to fly out, I was extremely excited and eager to go. The flight there was amazing.  It was my first time flying. I was more excited than nervous while on the plane. The view from the plane was astonishing. While we were flying I took a few pictures with my phone.

When we got to Colorado I was almost at a loss for words. I really couldn’t believe where I was and how beautiful mountains are in person.  The air smelled so good.  I wasn’t even sure I woke up that day, but if it was a dream I didn’t want anyone to wake me up.

I can’t even explain how awesome the Olympic Training facility was.  It was like a heaven for athletes.    Leroy and I met so many amazing athletes.  Then they told us we were going to practice with the Olympic judo team.  At that moment, I was…….. I don’t even know what I was…I just didn’t know what to do with myself.  I have never experienced such elation.  Judo is awesome.  It was my first time, but it’s so similar to wrestling.  A lot of the moves are basically the same, so I caught on quickly.

The day I spent in Colorado Springs is the best day in my life so far.  I never wanted to leave.  After practicing with the Olympic judo team I decided I wanted to be a part of it.  There is a chance I may get to start learning judo here in Cleveland with the goal of training for the Paralympics Judo Team.  I hope I can do it.

School is going great as well. My classes are good so far, and my instructors are cool. I love school for the most part.

Read more about Dartanyon & Leroy’s trip

View photos from Dartanyon & Leroy’s trip to Olympic Training Headquarters

Here’s what Leroy has to say about his trip.

My first flight was the most wonderful thing ever, next to the rest of the trip itself. I had it a little easy in the airport with Mr. Hons with me through from the baggage check and boarding the plane. I was not nervous at all. I thought I was going to be, but it all turned when the engines roared. I had a window seat for starters.  People say that’s a no-no for a first timer. Well, I say get a window first timers.  It’s the most beautiful thing you will see.  Cartoonish but beautiful. I always watched Bugs Bunny as a child, and when Coyote falls from the sky and you see the land is in a square formation –  that’s how it looks to me from the airplane window. I feel that I will travel a lot in the future so I have to get use to the feelings of flying.

When we landed, we were in Arizona to see Collins College. That school is so awesome. It is a new building. It is designed for students that are interested in interior design and media arts, so the interior pops out at you. I will know where the restrooms are wherever the neon lights are. Mr. Hons and I also saw the motion capture room. Motion capture is a program used to get all the right movements in a video game. It is truly a video gamers Shangri-La. The teachers seem like they will help as long as you’re willing to try. It seems like the school for me. I will be learning about the video game past and the present. Now that I seen the school, I am for sure I want to go there. If I were going to Collins without seeing what I saw on this trip, I would have been surprised at how good it looked.

Arizona….. Arizona… Arizona. That place is beautiful! I didn’t get to see much but from what I saw, the city is spread out so it’s nice and roomy.  Not like Cleveland at all. It is hot year round — just the way I like it. If it does get cold, it won’t snow so I don’t have to worry about my wheelchair getting stuck in the snow any more. But I will find out what I didn’t see of Arizona when I start school in November.

From Arizona, Mr. Hons and I were headed to Colorado Springs. After seeing our story on ESPN, the U.S. Paralympics invited Dartanyon and me to visit their training center and learn about their teams. So Mr. Hons and I caught a flight to Denver to up meet with Dartanyon and coach Torry. From there, we took the most meaningless flight ever from Denver to Colorado Springs (up and down in just a few minutes). As I awoke from my slumber the next morning, the day started with a bowl of fruit at the Hilton Antlers Hotel. Then we headed off to the Olympic Headquarters for the greatest day of my life! We were taken on a tour of the campus. I got to meet not only some great athletes but some great people. Dartanyon and I got to meet the USA Greco-Roman Wrestling team, the USA Women’s Wrestling team. It was fun and funny because we were taking pictures of them they were taking pictures of us like we were the celebs, but in true we aren’t. Then we learned some moves from two of the top fighters on the US Judo team. The campus of the Olympics HQ everything is all in a 5 min walk between buildings. The place is like a palace for athletes. Weight room, Judo room, Pools for the fish people, room for male Wrestlers, and a room for female Wrestlers. Later that afternoon, I took a ride with Jon Register to the most heavenly place ever — The Garden of The Gods. The Garden of the Gods is a rock structure that is surrounded by trees.  It is a life changer if you see it. It is on my must see list, along with Collins College and the view of the mountains in Colorado from the Hilton Colorado hotel.

Now to add to the goal of getting my bachelors degree, I have a goal to lift as a part of the U.S. Power Lifting Team and maybe throw for the U.S. Track and Field Team. It looks like I may be able to train in Arizona. This is good for me because this is a reason to stay in shape. Without Wrestling and Power Lifting I am nothing. Without Wrestling or Weight Lifting I would not be typing this. I would not have been anywhere. I probably would not be friends with Dartanyon or any of the other wrestlers and lifters on the team. That’s what I mean when I say nothing. And I capitalize Wrestling because to me it is a place.  It is a state of mind.  It is where people can settle the difference of strength and technique, where people strain each other then get up and shake hands also become friends and rivals. It a world of its own.  It is my UTOPIA.

Read more about Leroy & Dartanyon’s trip

View photos from Leroy & Dartanyon’s trip to Olympic Training Headquarters

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).

A Message From Dartanyon

A Letter From Leroy

I also want to say that I was completely awestruck when I was told that a trust fund was going to be put together for Leroy and me. I was at a total loss for words. It is still hard for me to believe most days.

I came a long way with the support from my coaches, friends and family. But now with your help, I will be able to excel even further, to go to college and someday reach my goal of becoming an attorney. It’s like God has sent me multiple guardian angels. I can’t thank you all enough for you help and support. What Leroy and I have been given is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We realize it, and neither of us will it pass up. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I can’t tell you how much all your help and support means to me. Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart.

Dartanyon Crockett

Dartanyon and I thank you for sending the emails, picking up the phone and caring enough to follow through in helping us. Your faith in us has actually increased my belief in myself. Your words and efforts mean more to me that I am able to express I am not used to my phone ringing with good news, and so as all of this good news has come in, all I can do is sit in shock. I sometimes even shake a little in disbelief. Thanks to all of you, I will get to start college. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to design video games and now I have that chance. It’s just amazing. Thank you so much!

Leroy Sutton