Let me start of by introducing myself. My name is Josh Cranfill and I am proud to say that I was given Hope by the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association and the Infant/Toddler Program at Gateway Education Center. Over my life, I have been faced with many obstacles, and without Hope, I don’t know where I would be today. When I began the Infant/Toddler program, I received the “jump start” needed to become a success. As a result of having intensive therapies 5 days a week in this program, it made a huge difference in positioning me to reach my potential. By learning to drive an electric wheelchair at the age of 2, with my right hand, then forced to switch to my left hand because the muscle disease took my strength, I was able to understand that obstacles would try to slow me down or stop me in life, but I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

After my “jump start”, it came time to enter into the “real” world of elementary school, where I was the only person with a disability. This event changed my life, while also posing more challenges for me to overcome, physically and socially. By being the only person in a wheelchair, I was faced with the stares, the snickers, and laughs that came along with being “different”. It was then and there, I found out that I was going to have to prove myself throughout my entire life. Through middle school and high school, socially, I was accepted by my fellow classmates and made friends easily as my friends were seeing Josh, not just “the guy in the wheelchair”. Those good graces were only one sided however. Teachers and Administrators posed me the most problems. I endured negative outlook from them as they were hesitant to teach me because I was “different” and were scared that I may be “contagious”. There again, I had to prove myself. Instead of having my parents fight this battle for me, I took this into my own hands. I made it a point that I would strive to make good grades, so that all the questions and doubts that people had about my academic abilities would be silenced. It did not take long until I was being accepted as a student.

As the years have passed, I have had many ups and downs physically as well. Having muscular dystrophy, I understand that as I get older, my muscles will continue to weaken. Over the years I have had to make changes to adapt and move on with my life. For example, I started driving my wheelchair right handed, then left. Soon after, I lost my ability to write. Then, my left hand was taken also, all of which took place over a 10 year time span. Today, I am left the use of only two fingers; my left thumb and right index finger. I am able to operate and drive my wheelchair through a microchip that fits on my thumb. I am also able to operate a computer through a single microswitch, through which I can make websites like this.

So, after all that, what do I do now? Where do I begin. When I meet new people, they find out that I am just a regular guy who just so happens to have a physical disability and be in an electric wheelchair. I graduated from Elon University in 2007, where I earned a Bachelor's in Science in Leisure/Sport Management and a minor in Psychology. I am currently the Vice President of the North Carolina Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association, which is a hockey league that is geared for those individuals who have disabilities that require them to be in an electric wheelchair. I also travel as a motivational speaker, speaking on issues such as overcoming obstacles, disability awareness, and seeing life with a positive mindset. If that wasn’t enough, I also act as an Assistant Coach for the Western Alamance high school football team, my alma mater.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to do many things, travel to many places, and reach out to many people. People close to me know that one of my favorite hobbies it to play poker. Yes, I like to gamble! I am known as something other than Josh at the poker tables, I am known as “Crippled-Action”. I have been playing poker for approximately 5 years, seeing both live and on-line action. I am not your average looking poker player however, which only adds a wrinkle to my game. When I go play poker, I have a card assistant, who shows me my cards and tosses in my chips – as I verbalize all of my action.
 
When people see me at their table, they have their doubts – hence, the name “Crippled-Action”.  For my 21st birthday, my parents took me to Atlantic City to do some gambling. It was my first time being in a casino and playing live poker. I took my first seat at a $3/$6 table and was greeted by a old drunk lady who started heckling me about being in a wheelchair and being "different''. It got pretty vulgar to the point that my mom was being restrained by the floor staff. The lady made the statement, "I am not going to give that crippled kid any action." Then the name Crippled-Action was born and for the next 2 hours, the other people at the table (who were all disgusted with the lady), moved out of the way and let me run her into the ground until she went broke! I took about $300 off of her. The rest is history…

This past summer, one of my dreams came true. My parents and I drove cross-country to Las Vegas, where I played in the 2009 World Series of Poker. This was a great experience. I played in the Event 34 - $1500 No Limit Hold ‘Em tournament where I was matched up against 2000 poker players. Even though I didn’t win any money, I played really well, losing because of a lack of good cards. I was able to meet many of my favorite poker players I have always admired. I also gained an enormous amount of respect, showing that even though I am in a wheelchair……. I will still take their money!

As I stated before, I am proud to say that I was given Hope by the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association and the Infant/Toddler Program at Gateway Education Center. That is exactly what this program gives families, Hope.

I hope you benefit from reading this website as I look forward to being the Webmaster for a long time to come!

If you would like to read my family's story, click The Cranfill Family Story

If you would like to keep up with me and my life’s adventures, check out my blog: joshcranfill.wordpress.com

For much information about my Powerhockey league, visit www.ncpowerhockey.com

To contact me, jcranfill@ncpowerhockey.com