Ben Carson

I recently watched Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story and I really liked it. You have to be able to be okay seeing blood because there are some operation scenes but it's really very good.

Ben Carson is an African American man who grew up not very well off. But one day his mom set down some rules. She said that instead of watching TV all the time he and his brother could watch two shows a week and in their spare time they'd read two books from the library and write a report. His mom had been working for a man who was well off and she asked him once if he'd read all the books in his personal library and the man said yes. And Ben's mom realized that successful people read books. And I would add, good, meaningful books (that doesn't mean that's all they read). And lo and behold, Ben's grades went from the bottom of the ditch to the top in the class.
Later he was accepted into the John Hopkins Hospital and began an amazing career there. He preformed numerous surgeries and was able to save lives.

I think Ben Carson is a highly inspirational and very driven person who defied the odds in a time when African Americans were not really considered "real" Americans, so to speak.
Ben Carson stood up and stood out. He did things other people wouldn't. 

Interviewer: You have confidence. That is good for a neurosurgeon. But tell me something, why did you decide to become a brain doctor?

Ben Carson: The brain…its a miracle. Do you believe in miracles. Not a lot of doctors do. There isn’t a lot of faith among physicians. We study reports, it’s all very tangible. But the fact is there are so many things we just can’t explain. I believed we are all capable of performing miracles, up here (points to head). We are blessed with astonishing gifts and skills. Look at Handel. I mean, how can he come up with The Messiah in only 3 weeks. (pointing to head again) This is the key. The source of inspiration for unbelievable accomplishments.

~ Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story