Growing up in one of the most dangerous housing projects in Brooklyn, at a very young age I sought protection through gangs, guns, and violence. Home life was one of constant abuse and domestic violence by my stepfather. I was repetedly told by him that I was no good and would never amount to anything, and with my mother being abused and yet still protecting him, I was filled with extreme hatred. He swore that the only future I would have would be in jail or dead somewhere. In the midst of all the abuse and turmoil in my life, at a late age I found a totally unusual sport and excelled, becoming one of the most Internationally famous and entertaining American players in the world! If it wasnt for the sport of table tennis, I would have probably ended up in jail or dead, but through this sport my eyes were open to all the endless possibilities that life had in store for me. Table Tennis in many ways helped me to realize that the whole world wasnt bad, and that there were much better things for me other than being in the streets. The sport of table tennis truly saved my life!