TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay Area man has a real passion for inspiring other people despite facing enormous physical challenges. Patrick Jackson-Williams was born prematurely and weighed only two pounds-eight-ounces. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and underwent numerous medical procedures.

But Jackson-Williams persevered through all his struggles. He recently hosted a youth conference at a church in Valrico.

The event, called Demolition-What’s in Your Toolbox, was a Shark Tank style event with a panel of leaders hoping to inspire young people in the audience to greatness.

“They are the next generation of disability advocates. Leaders, teachers, pastors, lawyers, judges. This is that next generation,” said Jackson-Williams about the young people at the conference.

The fact that Jackson-Williams was able to host the conference was very unexpected. In 2023, he came down with a mystery illness that left him able to walk or move.

Even while struggling in the hospital, Jackson-Williams said he was hoping to inspire the doctors and nurses who were caring for him.

“Because I had set in my mind if I left the earth that day or because of that, at least I was going to die empty,” he said. “You are not filled up to stay full. You are supposed to pour out your dreams, your vision. What has been given to you.”

Jackson-Williams wound up at Shands hospital in Gainesville and ended up recovering from his illness.

Jackson-Williams’ mother said he has always been very determined to succeed. She was his big encourager.

“There’s a scripture that says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And every day I quoted that scripture to him as a child growing up,” she said.

Jackson-Williams also has a non-profit called Angels on Assignment Worldwide. It provides stuffed animals to a hospital neonatal unit. “But if God can use me, If I can be used to impact my generation, this now generation, I’m going to do it,” he said.