Last updated on April 13, 2016
(Pictured: Seth Walker with his assistant Ken Brassell. Photo by Barbara Harmon.)
By: Barbara Harmon, Assistant Editor
You may have seen Seth Walker, a sophomore at Volunteer State Community College, around campus, but how much do you know about him? He is confined to a wheelchair because he was born with cerebral palsy.
“Cerebral palsy is one of the most common congenital (existing at or before birth) disorders of childhood.
“About 500,000 children in the United States have the condition,” according to kidshealth.org.
There is no cure for this condition, which affects the ability to control one’s muscles.
“I cannot do anything without assistance from others.
“I also have a speech impediment,” he added. “The only thing I can do on my own is think and use my brain.”
In order for Walker to attend Vol State he needed someone to assist him on campus.
Ken Brassell, Walker’s assistant, said he read about Walker needing help with this through their church.
“God kind of spoke to me and said hey you need to do this,” said Brassell.
He said he had reservations about it, because he was not familiar with cerebral palsy or Walker and his family.
Brassell recalled meeting Walker at a birthday party and trying to speak with him, when Walker did not respond he assumed he was mentally challenged.
“Which that happens to him a lot,” said Brassell. “People don’t realize how smart he is or how funny he is.”
Despite his condition Walker has maintained a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) and has been accepted into Lipscomb University with a full scholarship.
Walker said the most challenging thing for him at Vol State has been the workload, because it takes him longer to complete assignments—especially essays.
This is due to him having to control his computer with a metal dot that is on his forehead.
Walker said he has appreciated how the professors at Vol State have treated him.
“They are always willing to assist me with whatever I need to be successful,” he said.
Some of Walker’s favorite things are Alabama (Crimson Tide) football, basketball (he was Station Camp’s basketball manager for three years), traveling, and searching on the internet.
He said Disney in Orlando, Florida was his favorite of all the trips he had taken.
“But most importantly I’m a follower of Jesus Christ.
“He is everything to me,” said Walker. “I would be nothing without Him.”
After graduating from Vol State, Walker plans to achieve his bachelor degree in strategic communications from Lipscomb and then obtain his master’s through seminary, so he can pursue a career in social media ministry.
“I will go wherever God leads me,” said Walker.
He also had some advice he wanted to share.
“No matter what your challenges are—you can persevere and reach your goals,” said Walker.
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