Born without eyes and unable to walk, Patrick Henry Hughes, local author of “I Am Potential,” has told his story to many people after his appearance on “Extreme Home Makeover.”

On Jan. 19, IU Southeast was honored to have Patrick Henry Hughes speak for the National Mentoring month.

The Hoosier Room was packed with students, mentors, professors and intrigued people from the community waiting to hear a message on potential.

After the introduction and welcoming speech, Hughes’s father, Patrick John Hughes, pushed his son’s wheelchair to the front of the room.

It took no time for Patrick Henry Hughes to warm up to the crowd and confidently speak out inspirational words to the audience.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born March 10, 1988, with a rare genetic disorder that left him without eyes and unable to walk. However, it did not stop him from living his life to the fullest and overcoming everyday obstacles.

Before Patrick Henry Hughes was 1 year old, he started to learn how to play the piano. His father would play a few notes on the piano, and it wasn’t long before Patrick Henry Hughes, through trial and error, would play the exact notes back in the same sequence.

By the age of one, Patrick Henry Hughes was playing simple tunes, such as “Twinkle Twinkle” and “Mary had a Little Lamb.”

Patrick John Hughes had expectations and dreams before Patrick Henry Hughes was born that he “would be a star through athletic endeavors,” but after hearing his son play tunes on the piano, he knew he would need to adjust those dreams and be a supporting father of the dreams his son was chasing after.

“Not being able to see or walk are not disabilities — but abilities,” Patrick Henry Hughes said.

Patrick Henry Hughes talked about the different obstacles that tried to get in his way but said he always found a way around them through faith, determination and with the help of his father.

One obstacle Patrick Henry Hughes talked about was when he wanted to join the pep band for the University of Louisville.

Patrick Henry Hughes was told he would have to join the marching band in order for him to be a part of the pep band.

When they were told this, Patrick Henry Hughes looked at his father and said, “Umm, sure, whatever …. how am I supposed to march?” What had seemed impossible at that moment became one challenge Patrick Henry Hughes would overcome.

Patrick Henry Hughes and his father decided to go ahead and take on the challenge, and they attended band camp together.

Working in the hot weather and long hours of practice together, Patrick John Hughes would push his son’s wheelchair through all the formations with more than 220 members of the Red Rage Louisville Marching Band.

With a lot of dedication and long hours of practice, Patrick Henry Hughes was able to be on the marching band with his father pushing his wheelchair through all the formations, all while he played his trumpet proudly.

Patrick John Hughes had two full-time jobs. He worked third shift at UPS most nights of the week and then would take Patrick Henry Hughes to most of his classes and stay with him in the classroom until each class was over.

Patrick John Hughes was there by his son’s side through almost every class all the way through college.

“He made me a much better father,” Patrick John Hughes said.

He said his son helped him change the way he viewed his own life and his own expectations.

Patrick John Hughes said he is a firm believer in God and is thankful for an amazing son.

Patrick Henry Hughes said he made straight A’s through his education, but it was straight F’s — Faith, Family, Friends and Freedom, that encouraged and helped him the most.

Patrick Henry Hughes is now 22 years old and just recently graduated this past December with a degree in Spanish from the University of Louisville. He also sings and plays the trumpet and the piano, all learning by ear.

His favorite type of music is folk music, but he can play all types of music from jazz and rock to country and classical.

Patrick Henry Hughes has written and published his own book called, “I am Potential,” which has eight lessons on living, loving and reaching your dreams.

He said his hopes for the future are to become a Spanish-speaking ambassador for another country. Patrick also lightly joked about having his own game show on TV someday.

Most of all, he wants to continue to encourage people to have hope and perseverance through their own personal struggles.

Patrick said he loves the quote by Mother Teresa, “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come and we only have today. Let us begin.” With this quote, Patrick Henry Hughes said he has just begun to start the rest of his life and change others lives through his testimony.

By BROOKE LEHMAN

Staff

bnlehman@ius.edu