Adversity Builds Character; An Inspirational True Life Story of Disability, Addiction and Acceptance

By: Tom Ufert

Narrated by: Russell Stamets

Adversity Builds Character is the story of a young man's life struggles to find his way through the trials and tribulations of family turmoil, self-determination, and personal judgment. This transformational life experience, like so many, demonstrates the triumph of the human spirit over the pitfalls in our modern world. From a divorce wrecked family life through the upheavals of a shattered home brought on by a disease-ridden single mom, Thomas Ufert is blessed with the first of many second chances granted to him by his Godmother and her family.

Overcoming personal character flaws this new home life radically averts potential disaster and leads him to greater heights by redirecting and guiding the God-given talents of his character leading to never before realized academic and social achievements. At the height of his new found career development, while in college, Tom's world is shattered yet again by the sudden tragic loss of his mother in a bizarre event of mercy-killing and suicide.

While attempting to put this catastrophe behind him, personal doubt, guilt, and the awakening of his inner most desires threaten to destroy all he has worked so intently to achieve. Drinking and sexual experimentation almost ruin his future hopes of a promising political career to only be averted and redirected yet again through the guiding love of his life-long patron. Studies abroad and the first real love of his life demonstrate the truth of his path. Short-lived, divorce yet again forces a change of direction, ultimately pointing the way to his true self.

Temporarily postponing his career, Ufert relocates and discovers a world where he finally feels at home and accepted without ridicule. As is so often the case, comfort and overconfidence lead to weakness and self-destruction. It is at this moment that one either succumbs to the burden of outside influence or gathers all his strength to rise like a phoenix. Though poor judgment nearly costs him his life, Tommy finds his character and rises above it all.

©2014 Tom Ufert (P)2014 Tom Ufert