Skeesuck and Gray Added to Speakers Group
Lifelong Friends, Inspirational Adventurers, Creators of “I’ll Push You”
IJustin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray have been on an incredible journey together. The men have been friends since childhood, traveled together and even worked together. The pinnacle of their traveling adventures was a month-long trip on the Camino de Santiago, during which Patrick pushed Justin in a wheelchair through 500 miles of terrain across Spain. You see, Justin has been battling the affects of Multifocal Acquired Motor Axonopothy (MAMA) since he was a teenager. It is a disease that attacks the nervous system and has gradually left Justin without the use of his legs, arms and hands.
Their epic trip on the Camino inspired a documentary—due out later this year—media appearances, a boon in the disabled traveling company they run together, and a robust speaking schedule, including a TedX appearance.
We sat down with Justin and Patrick, the newest members of the Price Speakers Group, to talk about their experiences and the focus of their inspirational message of vulnerability, resiliency, and community.
How did being diagnosed with MAMA affect your life?
Justin: My diagnosis has been a process of elimination. What I have is so rare; there are only five people in the U.S. who have the disease, and I have one of the most severe cases. The diagnosis has been a process of hits and misses: I very clearly remember sitting on the doctor’s table at 21 and being told I had four years to live. (Justin is now 40.)
I was a graphic and multimedia designer for a long time, but as I was losing the use of my hands I saw the writing on the wall. I knew I needed to figure out what to do next from a career standpoint.
I’ve traveled my whole life, even through different forms of this disability. I’ve just always wanted to see what the world had to offer. Because of this I was inspired to take on the role of educator and trainer, helping disabled people learn how to travel. Traveling for people with disabilities is 10 times harder, but I’ve learned how to ask the right questions.
How did the idea for the Camino de Santiago trip and I’ll Push You come about?
Patrick: Justin had the idea for the Camino trip, I said, “I’ll push you,” and off we went. We wanted to demonstrate that life is not defined by limitations; it’s defined by what is accomplished despite limitations.
That is the premise of the I’ll Push You platform. One common theme to aspiring to greatness is doing so through the community that surrounds you. Part of that is allowing yourself to be vulnerable. If you’re not vulnerable you will not be able to identify areas for improvement. Your greatest strength is your vulnerability, even though it is often seen as a weakness.
Companies with a strong culture usually have leaders who are humble, who know they don’t have it all worked out, and who look for team members to augment where they are weak. That “community” approach to life, to business, to friendships, to marriages is the key to a successful life.
We want to empower individuals to move beyond their perceived limitations, whether it be something simple or grandiose, but the only way to do that is with people at your side.
Everyone is a leader in some facet: as a parent, as a sibling, as a caregiver, with your coworkers, with your clients. You can’t escape that that privilege; it’s always going to be there. There are two buckets of leaders: those who lead by force and those who lead by relationships. Only one of these methods is sustainable over time.
What has been your favorite part of the reaction to I’ll Push You?
Justin: The impact that we have seen from I’ll Push You has been very humbling. For example, at one high school in California, 1,600 kids caught wind of our journey and were inspired to create an I’ll Push You campaign. During the 34-day challenge they pushed each other to become better teachers, friends, and community members. They wrote post it notes with messages of encouragement and posted them on a communal wall.
Patrick: On the last day of the challenge we were invited to meet the students. We got to spend time with them and hear powerful stories of healing and self-discovery. It was humbling, just the sheer message of hope—that you are not alone and your vulnerability is something that can bring you healing and strength.
What have you learned from all of this that you hope to share with others?
Justin: As long as I’m on this earth and breathing, I know there is a purpose. I may not be able to use my hands, or hug my wife and kids, or walk on the beach holding my wife’s hand, or mow the lawn like men do, but I’ve had to let go of that. If Christ is the cornerstone of my life I know there is a purpose.
I don’t dwell on the negativity; I focus on the positivity. I focus on the things I want to do in life. I’ve learned to follow my heart and my instincts, whether that translates into resiliency or just being stubborn and bullheaded, I don’t know. I’ve come to terms with where I’m at and now I’m just using it to try to help other people.
Lifelong Friends, Inspirational Adventurers, Creators of “I’ll Push You”
The Disabled Traveler,” Accessibility Consultant and Inspirational Adventurer
If you are interested in booking Justin and Patrick for an event, email info@pricespeakersgroup.com