A True Champion, by Painting With Purpose

I heard recently of a man named D.J. Gregory. D.J. is helping raise money for United CP, the same charity we (Painting With Purpose) are raising funds for in Round 1. Please take a minute to watch the video, read the story, visit our store and buy a painting to help us reach our goal of raising $150,000 for cerebral palsy. You might even win $25,000.



D.J. was born with cerebral palsy and was told by doctors he would never walk. D.J.'s plan was different. It seems if you tell D.J. he can't do something, he will find a way and show you that he can. That's what happened this year on the 2008 PGA Tour.

D.J. has had a profound love for golf since childhood. When other sports were not possible for D.J. to partake in, D.J. taught himself to play golf one handed. At 12 his father took him to his first tournament in North Carolina where he met sports announcer Jim Nantz. Jim has been a life long friend and a key factor in this years event.

D.J. creatively came up with a way to be involved with the sport he loves. His idea, walk every hole, of every round, of every tournament in the 2008 PGA Tour, and follow a new golfer each week. His work as a reporter would then be entered on a blog on PGAtour.com. D.J. put together a sample package of his work, which Jim Nantz hand delivered it to the PGA commissioner. Well the commissioner loved the idea and D.J. set out on his journey.

After 45 weeks, 44 tournament, 3256 holes and 988 miles D.J. completed his journey in Orlando. D.J. had his struggles along the way. CP has caused his toes to overlap so the friction from all the walking created blisters. Instead of stopping or hitching a ride in a cart, he put on 8 band-aids a day to ease the pain. None of the golfers on the tour walk every hole. I myself know from personal experience that walking one round of golf can be a challenge. D.J. however never gave up.

D.J.'s journey ties in close to our mission at Painting With Purpose. D.J. came up with a creative way to spread a positive message. I can't speak for what D.J. feels his purpose in life is, but I feel part of it is what he accomplished this year on the PGA Tour. Watching the interviews and reading how D.J. was named person of the week at abcnews.go.com, you quickly learn that the golfers he followed have a greater appreciation for life. Instead of complaining about a certain round of golf, they are grateful to be out playing the game they love. Thank you D.J., I am sure your creativity has effected many more lives than the 44 golfers you followed.

Jon Thonrham