Meet Benjamin Carson, known today as Dr. Ben Carson. The poor black guy born into poverty, and raised in the slums of Detroit, USA. His parents separated when he was very young, and his mother Sonya Carson was left to raise Ben and his older brother Curtis.
Ben's childhood was far from easy. He was a black boy living in a society filled with racism. People looked down on him because of his skin color. In school, he was a dullard. His classmates laughed at him and he was known as the boy who always scored "none." His teacher even tried to cover up his failures just to protect him from embarrassment.
But that's not all. Ben also was a stammerer, he struggled to speak clearly. And worse, he had a serious anger problem. Not the kind of anger that makes you yell and walk away......but the type that makes you want to hurt or kill somebody.
Despite all these challenges, Benjamin Carson didn't let his background define his future. He turned the story and became Dr. Ben Carson, the first neurosurgeon in the world to successfully separate Siamese twins conjoined at the back of the head. Today he is respected not just for medical achievements, but also for his power transformation story.
At first glance, Gifted Hands, the book that tells his story might seem just like another motivational book. Yes, it is inspiring. It reminds us not to let our background, race or past failures stop us from achieving greatest.
However, if you look deeper, you will also see it is a lesson for parents.
Meet also Sonya Carson, a strong, determined woman who never gave up on her children. Even though she was poor and not well educated, she had high hopes in her children. She worked multiple jobs just to provide for them. When Ben was getting into trouble and failing at school, she did not insult him, compare him with other kids, or write him off as useless. Instead, she believed in him, encouraged him,helped him to become better. And that made a difference.
his mother, is the hidden hero in this story. She had every reason to give up, no husband, no money, no education, but she never gave up on her sons. She believed in them even when they didn’t believe in themselves. She used to tell them,
"You can do anything anyone else can do, you just have to work hard for it
In many homes, the story might have gone differently. Imagine coming second in school each term. Some parents would beat and shame the child, asking if the person who came first had two heads. If the child comes last? Straight ticket to severe punishment.
But Ben's mom did the opposite. She encouraged her children. She built them up. And slowly, Ben began to change.
He started reading more. He started thinking more. And his grades improved. From being the last in class, he moved to the top. Eventually, he got into Yale University, and then medical school. He didn’t just become a doctor, he became a world-renowned neurosurgeon, respected all over the world.
Gifted Hands, is not just about motivation. It’s about love. It’s about faith. It’s about the unseen sacrifices mothers make, the silent prayers they whisper at night, and the strength it takes to raise children in difficult circumstances, it is a must read.
P.S cover image is a screenshot