INSPIRING MAN David “Wheels” Maxwell

DAVID “WHEELS”MAXWELL

My name is David Maxwell, better known in the Rochester area as Wheels. Later in this story I will tell you how the nickname “Wheels” has changed my life in such a very positive way. But first I think it is important to tell you a little bit about myself and my journey leading up to it.

I was born two months premature, so my lungs had not had a chance to fully develop. I had to be transferred from Genesee Hospital to Strong Memorial Hospital Children’s Neonatal Care Unit. It was during that transfer that I stopped breathing and had a lack of oxygen to my brain. That loss of oxygen is what caused me to have the condition that I live with today called cerebral palsy or also known as “CP”. CP can come with a wide range of limitations and affects. In my case I have weakness on the right side of my body and spasticity in my legs. I use a wheelchair as my primary way of getting around. I am not paralyzed and am able to use a walker for short distances.

At age 5, I began competing in the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged in Brockport and Long Island and continued through the age of 21. I competed in several track, field and swimming events, winning many medals for my success and achievements as an athlete. The “Games” program has shaped me in so many positive ways, building stronger confidence, self-esteem, and long-lasting friendships. Because of the Games program and the encouragement of my parents and family, I have learned no matter what your limitations are, nothing is out of reach. One of my favorite memories from these Games was getting the opportunity to go to Ireland as part of the 1st American team to compete in the Irish Physically Challenged Games. We also had the chance to travel the Irish countryside, stay with Irish families and meet with many of Irelands leaders.

After high school I wanted to pursue a degree in communications, as I always dreamed to have a career in either television or radio. (As I small child I can remember sitting in my living pretending to be Don Alhart, the host of the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon.) Due to some of my limitations as well as the lack accessibility available for me at MCC, I decided to pursue a degree in graphic arts from Bryant and Stratton College. But the dream of being on radio or television was really a dream that I never lost the desire for.

Now you might be sitting there reading this and wondering, so where did you get the nickname “Wheels” and how did it change your life!!! One night, sitting at a poker table, in walked Brother Wease. He ended up sitting down in the seat next to me and we struck up a conversation. I happened to mention to him that I was on his old radio show many years ago. During that show he said he would never remember my name, so he gave me the nickname “Wheels”. That night and for several nights afterwards we would have conversations at the poker table about my life and the funny stories and experience I had about being in the wheelchair.

We went out to dinner a few times and on one of those nights out to dinner he said to me, “bro you’re pretty funny you should come up on the radio and tell some of your stories.” I still remember the first time I was on the Brother Wease show on radio 95.1. It was almost 5 years ago now and the show was broadcasting outside for the 9-11 Memorial. After that show, I guess you could say I had caught the bug, I knew that was something that I wanted to continue to do. My dream had finally become a reality. Well, I must have done something right because they ask me to sit in on Friday’s and I now I also fill in for people on vacation. So, you see I am truly getting to live out my

dreams and if it wasn’t for Brother Wease and his team on the 95.1 Brother Wease Morning Show that dream may never have been realized. And everything that I have done from that point forward in some part has been because of what Brother Wease saw in me during our conversations at the poker table. One of those very cool things that I have had the opportunity to do (Which was also a bucket list item for me.) was doing stand-up comedy at the Comedy at the Carlson. Sitting down of course!! I know that is the corniest joke there is, but if there is one thing I believe, it is if you cannot laugh about it, you cannot live with it.

At the beginning of 2020 when the Corona virus hit our area, it gave me the opportunity, with a little more time on my hands to start a new venture. One that I had been tossing around for a few years. I was able to start my own Podcast called “Wednesdays with Wheels”. The Pod Cast is an hourlong interview format that I also do live on Facebook. I choose a variety of people to interview, some you may know from our community and some you may never have heard of. You see, I believe whether you are very well known or not known at all, everyone has a story and that story needs to be shared. My Podcast can be found on Facebook live every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. or on any of the many podcasting platforms such as Spotify or the iHeartRadio app.

In closing the one thing that I hope people will take away from my journey is that no matter what your dreams are and no matter what the obstacles are that stand in the way of your dreams…..keep on chasing those dreams! Sure, there will be some bumps and bruises along the way but that’s what makes reaching your dream so much sweeter.