FELTON | ACTOR & AUTHOR

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Child Ward of the State, Foster Child, Husband, Father, Foster Parent, Caregiver, Renaissance Man, Actor, Voice Over Artist, Author of Louis Runs Away, Pre-Sales Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, Professional Speaker (speaking in front of an audience of 5000+), Ford Unsung Hero, Humanitarian, Board Member, Marathoner, Model, Stroke Survivor, Speaker’s Coach, Distinguished Toastmaster, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Intern.

All these titles apply to me. How have I been able to do so many things? Well, of the titles that were within my control I primarily blame my ADHD, diagnosed with in my mid-forties. Once diagnosed, suddenly my life made sense to me. ADHD explains why pursuing everything that interests me, at least to the point of losing interest or developing a new hobby or profession, seems so natural to me.

My time in foster care was the foundation for my acting career, because every home was like a different run in a stage play. 

I grew up as a Department of Children and Family Services Ward of the State, better known as a Foster Child, and I lived in seven different foster homes. I once looked at this as a disadvantage. A counselor pointed out to me that it was an advantage. Indeed it was, for not many children can say they have had five fathers and seven mothers. My time in foster care was the foundation for my acting career, because every home was like a different run in a stage play.

My ADHD is my superpower! Sadly, it can also be my kryptonite. My hyper focus allows me to get immersed in things for hours, add a little mania, and it could be for days.

I often failed at performing simple tasks, but excelled at tasks that were more complex. My ADHD assessment revealed that the more difficult the task, the better I performed. This also explained why I have so many different interests and have difficulty completing simple projects.

What qualifies me to talk to you about enduring hard times, overcoming, and overachievement?

I have persevered.

I have been in three near death vehicle accidents where the cars either rolled over or were totaled and I walked away.

I have suffered a mild stroke leaving me partially paralyzed on my dominant, right side.

I have been physically abused starting at the age of three.

I have lived in at least seven different foster homes.

I have been momentarily homeless.

I have been fired, laid off, underemployed, and of course overworked.

I have been wrongly accused.

I have run two 26.2 marathons raising funds for stroke prevention research.

Lessons I want to share:

• I’ve learned silence, inaction, is being complicit and perpetuates evil.
• Conforming to others ideals of you is the enemy of creativity and self-actualization.
• In order for others to see you as you want them to, you must first be what you want them to see.
• Code switching is tiring and stifling, be yourself no matter the situation, others will accept the real you, if they don’t, find people who dig you.
• Everyone deserves to be loved, unconditionally.
• Give without expecting anything in return.
• The universe conspires for your success.
• Persevere, never give up. The world keeps moving no matter what, so take a break, cry, get your energy back up, and keep moving forward.
• Be kind to your family. Be polite to your family. Speak to your family in kind tones as you would to a stranger you’re meeting for the first time.
• Monetize your passions, hobbies, and interests.

After suffering a stroke that left me partially paralyzed at the age of 35, I learned that tomorrow is not promised, therefore I set out to complete the items on my bucket list. I am happy to say that I had to start a new bucket list because I accomplished everything on my first list.