By Carter McCall

People have been telling John Russ what he could not do his entire life. People said he would never be able to live on his own. People said he would never be able to marry. So when he was told he would never be a successful disc jockey because of his cerebral palsy, the sentiment was nothing new.

“Doubt is nothing but a form of motivation for me,” said John.

John has been a performing as DJ Smooth in Wilmington, NC for the past 10 years. Living in his own apartment with his wife of 14 years, John believes every performance he gives is proof of the power of persistence and serve as an inspiration to others, disabled or not.