Don Talley... a follower, a husband, a father... a story teller 

I was on a United Airlines plane when a flight attendant asked me a very peculiar question.  "Why do you seem so happy?"  Obviously, she noticed my struggle as I was loaded onto the flight in a wheelchair designed to navigate the narrow aisles.  She must have also noticed something about the way I was carrying myself that day.  Whatever it was, I was given an opportunity to respond to her question.  "Well... I guess you could say I have a lot to be happy about."  She stared at me with a very puzzled look and said, "No, really?"

Being born with a rare neuromuscular disorder has obviously brought immeasurable challenge to life; unable to walk without the use of assistive devices; dealing with pain every day; being dependent upon others to accomplish routine tasks; risking injury or illness just by leaving the house. Yes, this life is hard. But, it is so worth living.  On the surface I can understand her question.  She sees the wheelchair, the struggle, the pain and our natural reaction is to shy away from painful things rather then lean into them. Specifically, we live in a society which shuns weakness; but I live for a God who empowers it!

Don and his wife, Crissie, live in Castle Rock, CO and have two college aged daughters, Taylor and Madison.  Don has served the national landscape of youth ministry for 36 years as communicator, trainer, consultant and leader.  Don regularly speaks at camps, conferences, banquets, schools, churches... and airplanes, sharing his unique perspective of life, struggle, joy and hope with any size audience.