"My dream is to open Tyrone's Gym," he says. "This will be a place in Macon where people who are and aren't disabled can exercise and do other activities," he says, adding he'd like to offer a range of recreational options like a music studio. "I don't want just a wellness center; what I want is for people to feel free."

After reviewing his business plan, Tyrone's teachers at Central Georgia Technical College have encouraged him to seek investors even before graduating in 2006 with a business degree.

"My mind is going at 100 miles an hour on this idea," he says.

Tyrone's Gym is the logical progression for this natural athlete.

As the youngest of 16 children, this 6'2" "baby" of the family was a popular football, basketball and track star at Crowford High School in Roberta, a small town outside Macon. His awards filled a room. But, 12 years ago, on a sunny morning in May, his car careened off a treacherous, narrow road. (Ten years later, his best friend would die at the same bend in the road.)

"I broke just one bone - and that was my neck," he says with a smile.

After his C5-C6 injury, he returned to live with his mother briefly in Roberta but found life "too easy." He wanted independence. And for him that meant having access to transportation.

Tyrone assumed he couldn't drive so he applied for a Trust Fund award to help pay for a van his family could use to drive him to appointments. But after reviewing his goals, the Fund's Director of Distribution suggested he take a driver's evaluation.

The Trust Fund paid for driver's education and training from rehabilitation specialists on how to use digital controls, then referred him to a car loan from CreditAble. Soon, Tyrone will be back in the driver's seat taking control of his transportation - and his destiny.

"I want to make money so I can donate some back to the Trust Fund," says the budding entrepreneur.