This Is My Story
Every 2-3 per 1,000 live births of children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy within the first two years of life
My name is Drew Lawrence, and I am a junior at Missouri Baptist University.
At 5 months of age, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), which affects my right side, which is why my right arm looks like a deformity.
Due to my age at the time, my doctors did not know how severely affected I would be. They told my parents that I might not be able to walk or talk.
When my parents got this devastating news from my neurologist, they did not know what to do. Instead, they trusted in God and prayed continually.
I grew up doing physical, occupational and speech therapies to help my continued progress.
At age 3, I began to walk, and at age 5, I began—and rarely stopped—talking.
Through God’s grace and mercy, I have been able to serve in Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANAS), which comes from 2 Timothy 2:15. I also ran track in high school and currently serve on mission trips across the country.
I could never have defied these odds by myself; only God can perform those miracles.
The earliest memory I have of being bullied was in first grade. The bullying continued through high school because I was viewed differently for having a disability.
Middle school was the height of the bullying. I felt depressed because I was not fitting in, and I ultimately almost isolated myself completely from everyone.
I told everyone that I was fine, but deep down I was hanging on by a thread.
It was in that moment that I felt God call me to become a pastor or a missionary.
In my sophomore year of high school, I had the chance to shadow the lead pastor at my old church. The experience gave me a firsthand look at the realities of full-time ministry.
By the time I graduated high school, my dreams had shifted. I still wanted to use my work to share the gospel, just not as a pastor.
Ever since I was a kid, I have been very passionate about sports. In fact, my friends called me the “walking encyclopedia.”
I wanted to share my knowledge with everyone, and sports broadcasting allowed me to do that.
Sports broadcasting allows me to share the gospel beyond the church walls, reaching listeners in the stands, on the radio and at home.
Sharing the gospel is not about a perfect presentation, but an everyday conversation.
I do not look at my disability as a hindrance but as an avenue to share the gospel with anyone I come in contact with on a daily basis.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, “You will face trials and tribulation. But fear not; for I have overcome the world.”
As Christians, we should be eager to share this good news with classmates, friends at school and even coworkers who may be lost.
God gives us this calling in Matthew 28:19, commonly known as “The Great Commission”: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
When we share the gospel with someone who is lost, and they come to the decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they become another brother or sister in Christ we have gained into the family.
What will you say come judgment day?
Because of Jesus, I know that God has a purpose for my life—to bring Him glory, honor and praise in whatever I am doing, and to lead more brothers and sisters to Christ.
King David writes in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” I trust God with each step because that is what a lamp does; it does not illuminate the whole path, but only a few steps ahead.
Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Baruch, one of Jeremiah’s converts, echoes in Jeremiah 29:11-13:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
My story is just a small glimpse of God’s goodness.
Whether you are a CEO, star athlete, stay-at-home parent, or a kid with cerebral palsy, God can and will use you for His glory—you just have to allow him the opportunity.
I have been made fun of and mocked because of my disability. But I am living proof of a loving God—I am a walking, talking miracle child.
We all have a disability. It might not be physical, but perhaps emotional or mental.
Now that I am in college, I am surrounded by genuine love and support. I am a team manager for football, a student contributor for MBU Timeline, the first to my church on Sunday mornings, where I work security, and I make coffee for the men’s ministry group.
If my story inspires others to overcome their own adversities like I have, then let it serve as encouragement that you can do it, too.
Without my parents enlisting the help of the various therapists, and without them trusting God’s plan for my life, I would not be where I am today.
I have been inspired by other Christ followers, such as my grandpa and small group leaders when I was in youth group, who have invested and believed in me, and who encourage me even to this day.
Wherever the Lord places on my heart to serve, then that is where I will go and live a sent life, not a stuck life.
Remember that a setback is just a setup for a greater plan in store from God. It might not be the storm you are going through right now, but, rather, a blessing that you cannot see yet.
In the top Featured Image, left to right are: Drew Lawrence, Bill Petty, Kyle Petty, Don Lipsey, Rob McManus, Steve Kneff, and Frank Quintero, Grandpa. Drew has known Steve Kneff for his entire life through his church. Photo by Ray Walls
