Blind Sided

The story of Michael Oher, the Baltimore Ravens' 1st round draft pick this year, is being told to audiences in the new movie "The Blind Side." For those who knew of his story are truly amazed that he is where he is today. And those who are finding out about his remarkable story are also in bewilderment at one he has made of his life.

Not everyone can have that great childhood with parents, love, food, safety, and everything else that comes along the way. He spent much of his early years not being certain what the next day may bring. He at the young age of 23 has probably been through more than many will have to endure in a lifetime. He has been to put those traumatic experiences behind him and has made him stronger. He was one of 13 siblings. He never knew his father, a man whose murder he would not know about until he was in high school. His mother was addicted crack cocaine and thus he lived a very scattered life. He bounced from school to school on a yearly basis and was basically homeless. He was young and didn't know much and took everything in stride.

A turning point came when Tony Henderson took Oher in to sleep on his couch. Oher would then be enrolled at Braircrest Christian School with Henderson's son, Steven. He would be viewed as a special-needs case. Another big moment would occur shortly after when Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy noticed Oher walking on the side of the street near the school. Mrs. Tuohy couldn't just drive away from Michael and the Tuohys brought him home with them. This would be the major turning point in Oher's life at the age of 16. The Tuohys gave him a safety net and security, which he didn't know before. They got a tutor to assist him with his academic struggles, gave him clothes and essentials along with the tuition to attend school. After some time together, the Tuohys made it official and became Michael's legal guardians.

Now, Oher has gone from the depths of despair to an All-American tackle at the University of Mississippi to the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens. He still has the fire that burned in his to survive another day and get to where he is today. Despite all the hardships in his live, he is friendly and has an easygoing demeanor. What he has gone through in 23 years has given him a perspective that many at his age don't have. He can relate to individuals living off the streets because he was once there. He wore the same outfit for days at a time. He never had all the joys that most children have. To Oher, where he is now is living his dream. And to him it is still unbelievable.

Its always refreshing to see someone like Oher, who no matter how successful he might become; he will always remember where he came from. To me, one of the best things someone could be is humble. It keeps an individual grounded and allows them to keep everything in perspective. Oher knows what it is like to have nothing and that is what he will have in his mind the rest of his life. Too many people today make material and superficial things more important in their lives than they should be. Thankfully there are still people like Michael Oher out there, who will be a symbol for others to aspire to. Because one day, you just might be blind sided.