About Portraits of Youth
Working with Partners for Youth with Disabilities, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation is gathering the stories of youth with disabilities from around the country. Told in their own words, these "portraits" will showcase the young people's lives, dreams, and abilities.
A new portrait will be added each month. Enjoy meeting these remarkable young people.
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Portraits of Youth
August 2008: Ray Grand
"I am still alive and able to do everything anyone else can, just in a different way, including playing basketball and owning my own business."
Name: Reynald "Ray Grand" Grandoit
City: Mattapan, MA
Age: 24
Hobbies: running my clothing business, wheelchair basketball, fundraising
My name is Reynald Grandoit but I am better known as Ray Grand. I am 24 years old and was born and raised in the city of Boston, Massachusetts.
Growing up in the inner city and encountering many trials and tribulations have contributed to who I am today, tomorrow and who I will be in the future. While growing up I always had dreams of playing in the NBA and being the CEO of my own company. At the young age of 14 I contracted spinal meningitis, which left me in a coma for weeks. Now I am paralyzed from the waist down and use a wheelchair. This completely changed my life but not my dreams and aspirations.
I have never looked at being paralyzed as a curse but instead as a blessing. I am still alive and able to do everything anyone else can, just in a different way, including playing basketball and owning my own business.
At the age of 16, I was chosen by my High School teacher to participate in the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) class. This NFTE class gave me the spark to launch my entrepreneurial endeavors and at the age of 16 I started my own clothing business, Ray Grand Apparel. I have also had the opportunity to participate in Partners for Youth with Disabilities and have been featured in the January National Mentor Month public service announcement with my mentor, Federal Judge Reginald Lindsey.
Playing wheelchair basketball on several different leagues has allowed me to continue to pursue my dream of playing basketball at a competitive level. In fact, last fall I earned a full scholarship to Oklahoma State University to play wheelchair basketball and was very excited to have the opportunity to earn a college degree.
Unfortunately, in February of 2007, I developed a stage 4 pressure sore. This set back left me on complete bed rest and in the hospital for 11 months. Although I have had countless medical problems, surgeries and let downs, I have used my entrepreneurial skills to turn my hospital room into an office. Here I conducted business meetings and clothing and accessories sales from my hospital bed and through my website, www.raygrand.com. My positive energy and contagious smile have been a positive influence to those around me.
My transition from Children's Hospital to home began in January 2008. As I sat and waited for the ambulance to pick me up and transport me home reality began to settle in. I was excited to go home and start my life again but it was not going to be the way that I had anticipated. I was still on bed rest at home and had to continue to sleep in a special pressure relieving bed instead of in my own bed. I am only allowed to sit in my wheelchair for 90 minutes a day and most of this time is consumed by daily routines such as showering. The doctor told me that if I wanted to keep my wound closed, I would need an alternating air cushion for my wheelchair. If I did not get an alternating air cushion for my wheelchair then I would have to continue sitting in my wheelchair for only 90 minutes a day for the rest of my life. He also said that I would never be able to play basketball again.
I knew it would not be possible to maintain the rest of my life in 90 minutes a day. How will I run my business, obtain a job, have a family in only 90 minutes a day! I contacted my insurance company. Unfortunately my insurance will not cover this type of cushion and I cannot afford the $5000 to purchase it myself. I decided that if my insurance will not cover this expense I would raise the money for my self and for other paraplegics too.
After consulting with a few colleagues and friends I decided to start the Friends of Ray Grand Fund. The Friends of Ray Grand Fund will make an enormous difference in the lives of those with disabilities. We intend to use a multidiscipline approach of fundraising, advocacy and outreach work. The friends of Ray Grand are confident, competent and caring leaders with high standards of excellence who will provide emotional support, guidance and resources specifically targeted to help paraplegics. Preparation for the future takes a vision, a plan and focus. Facing adversity at such a young age coupled with faith, hope and aspiration has not only assisted me in understanding myself, it has also given me the perseverance I need to succeed and help others in the process.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Friends of Ray Grand Fund please log onto my website www.friendsofraygrand.com. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Hope to see you soon at one of our fundraisers.
View this video to learn more about Ray.
Ray's Video: Click to Play
1560 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1150
Arlington, VA 22209