Jay Blake/follow a Dream Speaker Intro - With cc

(Engine Revs) Jay Blake grew up outside of Boston Massachusetts the son of honest, hard-working parents. He had 2 sisters, but it was his brother who shared his love for anything mechanical especially cars. Jay married, had a family and went to work every day, as a mechanic. forever keeping his dream alive if only in his mind. One day■ a day like any other Jay had a bad day at the office (Explosion!) He awoke in total darkness and Follow a Dream was born. Announcer 1: Hold on Bob Frey: Whoa! (Engine Rev) Announcer 1: The Dream's Alive! Announcer 1: Whoalook at this celebration. Bob Frey: Can you beleive that? (Jay Blake Screams) Announcer 1: Jay gets down kisses the asphalt where his car just won their 1st National Race Bob Frey: I met him on the retun road year ago after Zach did it, he said "Mr Frey, I'm gonna own a Funny Car someday!" ♪♪ Jays accident left him totally blind, with no sense of smell or taste. ♪ A lesser man would have given up, but Jay went to the races. (Engine Revs) Against the advice of family and friends Jay founded Follow A Dream, a nonprofit corporation designed to educate children and adults on the power of positive thinking, self-determination and team work thru motorsports. While Jay was sharing his experiences with local groups, he and his team began to campaign his Super Comp dragster in local and regional NHRA competitions his Brother Jimmy by his side and behind the wheel. People began to take notice of this fledgling team whose crew chief was blind and Jay continued to spread his message, both on and off the track, to anyone who would listen. Jay did most of the work on the car; to the amazement of all who attended the races And many of his on track friends became trusted crew members who are still with him to day helping him to Follow his Dream. Over the years, the program grew and Jay decided to move up in the ranks to campaign an NHRA Top Alcohol. This more powerful, faster, and unpredictable vehicle meant more attention for the Follow A Dream Team It also created new opportunities for corporate support of the Follow a Dream program ♪ Jay now travels the country sharing the Follow a Dream message and his “5 Tools for Your Lifes Tool Box”, to corporations, schools, civic groups and the military, On the track, the Follow a Dream team continues to win races throughout the country. As Crew Chief and Owner of a nationally ranked, championship race team, and the only TOTALLY blind crew chief in all of motor sports, Jays dream had become a reality ♪ Jays ability to maintain a positive attitude and overcome adversity has attracted significant Local and National Media attention enabling him to bring his message to an even wider audience. All this, because this one man DARED, to Follow a Dream!