AASCIF Speaker Knows a Thing or Two About
Overcoming Long Odds
 Eminently
qualified as a motivational speaker, Roger Crawford overcame great adversity
to achieve greater success.
Born with ectrodactylism, a birth defect causing malformed limbs, his
doctors doubted he would ever walk. But compensating for the handicaps
of no left hand, a right hand with only one finger, a right foot with
only three toes, and a left leg amputated at the age of five, Roger Crawford
proved that desire and fortitude could take him places no one thought
possible.
Not only did he learn to walk, but he played his way into high school
tennis where he captained his team, winning four letters and posting a
record of 44 wins and six losses. For this remarkable effort, he was named
the Northern California Athlete of the Year.
His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to Loyola Marymount University
in Los Angeles where he earned his bachelor's degree in communications
and became an award-winning NCAA Division I tennis champion. Following
his graduation, he earned his professional certification from the U.S.
Professional Tennis Association.
Mr. Crawford credits his success to the unconditional love his parents
gave him, which provided the kind of support that allowed him to surmount
the difficulties he has had to face.
"Whenever you catch yourself saying 'If only,' make a conscious
switch to 'Next time'," he says.
His inspiring story attracted national attention, garnering him guest
appearances on ABC's Good Morning America, CBS's Inside Edition, CNBC,
and Hour of Power. He has also been featured in USA Today and Tennis
Magazine.
The NBC television movie, "In a New Light," as well as the
first edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul, featured his story.
Mr. Crawford's engagements have taken him to all 50 states and 17 foreign
countries. He is the recipient of the prestigious CPAE Speaker Hall of
Fame Award given by the National Speakers Association. Mr. Crawford is
also a member of the Speakers Roundtable, a select group of the top 20
speakers in the world.
An accomplished author, Mr. Crawford chronicled his life in Playing
from the Heart. His latest book, How High Can You Bounce? Turn
Your Setbacks into Comebacks, presents nine ways to make yourself
stronger, more powerful and more resilient.
Mr. Crawford is also one of the 40 founding faculty professors of www.MentorU.com.
This innovative company provides an interactive learning network via the
Internet on business and management tailored to individuals or organizations.
Its faculty boasts business experts in sales and marketing, customer service,
business management, leadership, communication, personal growth and technology.
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