As a child and teen I spent a great deal of time in the hospital and my best friend during all of my stays was my radio. Whether I was listening to music,old time radio shows, or the news it was my escape from the boredom and loneliness.

I've never lost that love of radio, in fact I pursued a career albeit part time as a disc jockey in the late 90's through early 2000 in southern California at KRTM Temecula and KTMK Hemet.

Although I left that part time career to focus on my real career being a production supervisor for a large corporation, I missed being able to bring that moment of escape to that one listener in the same situation I was in when I found radio.

One of my goals in life is to be an inspiration to those facing physical challenges in their life. I contracted polio when I was a child and have been unable to walk since then. As you can imagine this could present many challenges or as I like to call them opportunities. In my life time I have faced my share of opportunities like figuring out how to get up curbs before there were ramps, there’s always a driveway close by. Or getting my first job working in the shipping and receiving department of a local hardware store, I was very persistent, and once I got that job I was determined to succeed at it. I've adapted to my surroundings, I never allowed my disability to define me, and I allowed the opportunities presented to me to be lessons that would help me grow as a person not as a disabled person.

I was fortunate to be among 10 recipients of Careers & the Disabled Magazines employee of the year in 2006. Not accustom to recognition I was truly humbled by the award.

Enough about me for now, I hope you enjoy the music and conversation.

Steven A. Hess