New Mentor Is Introduced

The Jasper County Mentor Program (JCMP) introduced its newest mentor, Stevie Michael, to Jasper County Middle School students this week.

Mr. Michael is a quadriplegic with a very compelling story he hopes to share with the children of Jasper County. He moved to Jasper County in 1998, is a member of The Church at Monticello, has one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and a seventh grandchild on the way.

Mr. Michael began drinking and doing drugs at the young age of 13 in hopes of fitting in with and being liked by a certain group of kids. At age 15, Mr. Michael was kicked out of two different high schools, which resulted in his decision to not graduate.

As the years went on Mr. Michael continued to drink and do drugs. As a result of his choices Mr. Michael was involved in eight vehicle accidents, four of which were the result of driving under the influence (DUI); the last one resulted in his current medical state.

August 18, 2000, at age 25, Mr. Michael was in his final DUI wreck where he damaged his fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh vertebrae in his neck as well as his nervous system. The outcome of his injuries led to the doctors saying he will be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. From this point Mr. Michael continued using drugs and drinking until he overdosed in 2002 and was placed in the Retreat Nursing Home, where he made the decision to change his ways and begin telling his story. He lived in the Retreat Nursing Home for six years before moving to Turtle Cove.

In 2008, Mr. Michael received his Georgia Equivalency Diploma (GED) and began telling the youth of various churches and schools his story. He feels that he was spared his life on August 18, 2000 for a reason; that reason being to tell his story to the younger generation in hopes that they do not make the same decisions and mistakes that he made at their age. The JCMP and Mr. Michael will be working together to share his story with the schools throughout the community.

Mr. Michael’s hope for this partnership is to reach out to our youth about the effects of drinking and drugs as well as the importance of staying in school. If you see Mr. Michael around town please thank him for his dedication and for inspiring the youth of our community.

Any churches, schools or organizations that would like to have Mr. Michael come and share his testimony can contact the Jasper County Mentor Program at 706-468-6350 ext. 116.