“Where words fail, music speaks.” - Hans Christian Andersen. Sherri’s musical abilities have helped her to express thoughts and through her skills, she is looking forward to making her mark in the music industry. She can play the harmonica by ear and has played in a church band, The Praise Band. Sherri also made her first Gospel demo CD titled "In God's Time" dedicated to her parents. She has also been a medical transcriptionist/editor for last 33 years.

What role has music played in your life? What are your musical aspirations?S: Since the age of three I have been interested in playing a musical instrument. I started out playing a child’s harmonica by ear and a child’s floor level piano by ear (just like the one Schroeder played in the Peanuts cartoon). My aspirations include creating my first Christian album and then a country album. I am well on my way to realizing that dream and bringing it to fruition. As an adult of almost 56 years of age my first album will contain some well-known contemporary Christian songs as well as my own song which will tell the story of my life as a person living with spina bifida. There is the matter of finding someone to put the words to music then I will head back to the recording studio for completion.

How did you come up with the idea for your debut CD “In God's Time”?S: When I am driving down the road my radio is always playing. I love music and I especially enjoy listening to Christian songs that deliver a message. My inspiration is Ronnie Millsap. I really love what this man has done with his life. He has demonstrated to everyone that it is possible to have a physical challenge and still be successful. I have finally realized (albeit later in life) that the gift of music that God gave me early in life should not be wasted. That is why a debuted with a “demo” CD called “In God’s Time”.

Which genre of music do you like the most? Who is your favorite artist?S: In addition to contemporary Christian music and some traditional hymns, I also enjoy country music by such artists as the Oak Ridge Boys, Carrie Underwood, the Gaither Vocal Band and Ryan Stevenson. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ronnie Milsap backstage and talking with him, thanks to his agent, John Heinrich, who actually recorded my “demo” CD, “In God’s Time” and arranged for my backstage pass. Also I occasionally sing with my pastor in church and in public. He plays the guitar and mandolin. We enjoy playing a “mwan” version of “I’ll Fly Away”.

What is your day to day job at Greensboro Orthopaedics? What is the best thing you love about your job?S: I have been a medical transcriptionist/editor for 33 years for Greensboro Orthopaedics. Actually the best part about my job isn’t the job itself, but rather the opportunity to work alongside my peers. It is very satisfying to know that I am in a career which people without physical disabilities train to do. I feel a sense of acceptance and competence. Also my very first orthopedic surgeon was a physician in that practice. He has since passed away but I have remained a dedicated employee as a means of “paying it forward” for all the years of great care I received which began with him. His name was Samuel a. Sue, Jr.

What challenges did you face during your school days? What or who motivated you to face those challenges?S: My parents always seemed to have to fight for my rights to participate in normal everyday activities that the average child/parent takes for granted. This included attending public school. Before beginning the first grade I was told I would have to master stair climbing. My parents began taking me to a physical therapist several times a week to work on strength and endurance with an emphasis on stair climbing. When I was three, my father bought an adult walker and cut it down to size so that I would be able to walk upright. Before I entered the first grade I had already advance from the walker to bilateral Lofstrand crutches. By age six I was allowed to enter public school right on time! Shortly after entering the first grade I was given a battery of aptitude tests and it was determined that I was actually ready for the second grade, which meant that I was the youngest second grader in my school.
My parents were the backbone of my motivation to face challenges. I also wanted to follow in the footsteps of my siblings in as many ways as possible. I learned to drive because my mother made many trips to Raleigh, North Carolina to ensure that every county in North Carolina had at least one specially equipped car for physically challenged students, but not before she had to use her own car and had to secure special insurance to cover me and my driver’s education teacher just so I could learn to drive. I also required homebound instruction several times throughout my schooling because of surgical procedures that kept me out of the classroom temporarily. My mother had to make sure my lessons in textbooks were the same as those of my classmates so that I would not fall behind once I return to the classroom.

What are your other hobbies?S: My hobbies include being with my friends, dining out, attending church, crafts, needlework and swimming (which I learned to do just a few years ago).

Who is your inspiration?S: Without a doubt, my inspiration is Ronnie Milsap.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?S: My siblings are all grown with grown children. Due to family being so spread out, it is not possible for the family to all be together at the same time anymore. My mother is deceased and my father is my closest living relative. When we ARE together as a family, we enjoyed catching up on what everyone has been doing, and we usually enjoy eating out (either at a seafood restaurant or we enjoy some Southern barbecue and Cheerwine). At holiday time, we usually gather at my father’s house for a home-cooked meal over Thanksgiving and/or Christmas.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to learn music?S: I suppose the best advice I can offer those in our community who wish to learn music is to not give up on your dreams. If someone does not wish to invest their time to help you achieve your goals, for whatever reason, there are others who will gladly reach out to help bring your dreams to fruition. Just keep searching.

Any special message for our community?S: To anyone who is struggling to overcome a physical challenge and has goals they wish to obtain, I urge them to remember this: God goes before you to guide you, God goes above you to watch over you, God goes beneath you to uphold you, God goes behind you to prod you a long, but most importantly...God goes beside you to befriend you!