Inspirational Physician Draws on Own Struggles to Encourage Others

It would have been easy for Darrell Pone M.D. to just give up. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a 1-year-old in the late 1950s, the world was not as open to those with physical disabilities as it is today.

But instead of viewing life's cup as half empty, Pone, who graduated from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University with a B.A. in chemistry, took an optimistic, "can do" spirit and earned a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. A resident of Old Westbury, N.Y., Dr. Pone is a retired physician who spends his time speaking to groups, adults and children, sharing how they can overcome their obstacles as he has overcome his.

"I chose to go to medical school because I could help the disabled patient as a physician," Dr. Pone said. "I knew I would be able to relate."

A member of Post's Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and an ardent fan at many football and basketball games, Dr. Pone looks back at his time as a Pioneer fondly and says the classes he took helped him become who he is today.

"Post shaped my future by offering me courses outside of the sciences," Dr. Pone said. "I had women professors in math and chemistry which was new to me." He said the classes he took in sociology have shaped many of his attitudes and gives him a unique perspective when treating his patients.

"In hindsight my non-science courses at Post helped me more as a physician than the science courses," he said.

"I took a course called Sociology of Woman and it provided me with a fresh view of women and their contributions. When I began to practice medicine I had more insights into the struggles of women. I realized how difficult it was for my disabled female patients to perform certain daily functions such as putting on jewelry and walking in high heels."

He recently wrote his autobiography,"We've Come this Far By Faith; Dr. Pone's Ten Keys to Success," "to show the world that the Long Island community, with emphasis on the African-American community, could pull together for over 20 years and help a child who was born with cerebral palsy and become a physician."

"My advice to my fellow alums is to never give up on your life's dreams. Do not let any obstacle get in your way. Remember to enjoy life's journey."

To contact Dr. Pone, visit www.poneinspirations.com

Posted: August 27, 2009