CHOCOWINITY—An internationally known motivational speaker visited students at Chocowinity Middle School Thursday, leaving them with some important things to think about.

Chad Hymas, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, met with CMS students, faculty and staff in the school gym, told them his story and made some good points about life, leadership, prosperity and happiness.

Hymas first told his audience about bullying and taking a stand against peer pressure, citing an example from his high school days of a young girl who was handicapped. Hymas said he and his friends on the basketball team frequently joked about the girl behind her back until his father overheard them and challenged the boys to take a stand, show her kindness and befriend her.

Years later, Hymas would understand his father’s example when he suffered a farming accident, leaving him a quadriplegic.

The accident led Hymas on a path to change his life, and he challenged the audience to make some changes in their life, focusing on being selfless, serving others and being a leader.

“Now you’re going to be like my dad, and that’s what I want,” Hymas said. “I want you to walk out of this gym and make a change.”

The event was arranged by PotashCorp-Aurora and Hymas was introduced by PotashCorp Manager of Public Affairs Ray McKeithan. McKeithan said Hymas has spoken at several sites throughout the company and impressed PotashCorp with his safety message and his experiences about making good choices.

“We wanted to make him available to the community while he was here because it’s a special opportunity to have an internationally known speaker share a message of hope, perseverance and commitment to students and business leaders alike,” McKeithan said.

Hymas, who spoke at several other schools and the Washington-Beaufort Chamber of Commerce this week, is a best selling author, president of his own communications company, Chad Hymas Communications, Inc, a recognized world-class wheelchair athlete and has been called “one of the 10 most inspirational people in the world” by the Wall Street Journal. Hymas inspires, motivates and moves audiences, creating an experience that touches hearts for a lifetime, according to his website. He is one of the youngest ever to receive the Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) and to be inducted into the National Speaker Hall of Fame.

After the event, Hymas commented on his accident and the impact it has had on his life and outlook.

“If I could go back I wouldn’t change it. If I were to go back and change it, I would have to change all the experiences I’ve had since — which means no more 7 continents, no more 52 countries, I wouldn’t be able to meet these kids and I’m not willing to give that up. These kids have changed my life.”

Hymas lives with his wife, two sons and daughter in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he and his father, Kelly, operate a horse and elk ranch.

For more information about Chad Hymas, visit chadhymas.com.