NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans civil attorney Derrick Edwards, the first quadriplegic in history to run for LA State Treasurer, will be speaking at Dillard University on Saturday, April 22, at 3:00 p.m.
At the age of 17, Edwards suffered a catastrophic high school football injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite being paralyzed, Edwards graduated on time with his high school class and then went on to receive a bachelor and masters degree in accounting from Tulane University and a law degree from Loyola University.
Edwards is a practicing attorney, in addition to serving on the Louisiana State Bar Diversity Committee, and as a member of the Jefferson Parish Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Edwards has been speaking at schools for more than 20 years. At Dillard, he will share his inspiring story, what motivated him to achieve success through education with three degrees after suffering his injury, the importance of education, not giving up on your goals despite your obstacles and making the most out of life's opportunities.
As a practicing civil attorney in New Orleans, Edwards said has had an opportunity to make profound differences in the lives of his clients, one client at a time. However, he would like to change the lives of all Louisiana citizens. Edwards speaks at schools to encourage, motivate and inspire students to never give up no matter what obstacles life throws their way.
He said, “Together, we can and will make Louisiana a place everyone is proud to call home.”
See Edwards on "The Today Show" here