In this episode, I chat with Ty about how the challenges he faced growing up in poverty, as well as being born with a cleft lip and palate. We also talk about how his father came back into his life randomly one day when he was a teenager, then died just a few short years later. When he got older, he became his mom’s caretaker and he talks about the challenges that came along with that.*

Ty was born with a cleft lip and palate. Since he was born, he has had 25 total surgeries on his body. He remembers being summer-less as a child because all of his surgeries would take place as soon as school let out, then he would spend the next 6-8 weeks recovering and then it was time for school to start right back up.

Ty was raised by a very poor single mom who suffered from epilepsy. When he was in 8th grade, his dad came back into their lives. Ty’s mom had to send him away shortly after they met because her family and him did not get along.

Ty talks about the challenges he faced in Middle School when a surgery stunted his growth. Then he goes into High School and talks about his grades and test anxiety. He transferred schools to a more hands-on school and graduated with a 3.0. He went on to College, something that many people said he would never do. Ty wanted to prove those people wrong.

During his Junior year at College, he got the call that his dad had fallen and was basically brain dead. Ty needed to get home quick to say his goodbyes. Ty got there as soon as he could and told his dad it was okay to go home. He was next-of-kin, so he had to make the life or death decision. It was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. Ty also felt a little cheated because he’d only had his dad for 8 years and now he was dying.

Several years later, Ty was still living up north when he got a call saying that he needed to come home and take care of his mom. She had fallen and needed a total hip replacement. She was doing fine for about a year, but then after that, her health took a turn for the worse. She had multiple surgeries, feeding tubes, pneumonia, etc. After about 8 months of it all, she said she was done. Ty’s mom made the decision to go on Hospice care.

Listen to the full episode to hear all the details.

*Please note: this is the guest’s story. Their story is how they perceive it. It is not my judgement or responsibility to determine whether or not this story and the things said are true. Please be open minded when listening to/reading these stories.

LINKS TO THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
–Ty’s website
-Ty’s personal Instagram and Political Instagram
-Ty’s favorite product: Cologne. He was wearing Aqua De Gio when we recorded.
-Ty’s song recommendation: I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw
-My ending song recommendation: Suffer in Peace by Tyler Farr (listen on the Hard Knocks playlist on Spotify)

“Don’t trip over what is behind you.”

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