Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Guywood De la Cruz. I’m a proud tribal member of the Northern Cherokee, Chickamauga Nation Wolf Clan.My Cherokee name is Medicine Eagle Song of Eagle.I’m born on Oahu. Raised in Kalihi Kam Heights. I now live in Ewa.I’m a licensed massage therapist for 28 years.I’m a multi instrumentalist. My main instruments are the ukulele and Native American flute. I also play drums, congas, bongos, timbales, percussions, little bit bass, guitar and keyboard.I’m studying to be an Orientation and Mobility instructor, teaching the blind to travel independently with they’re using a white cane.I was born sighted. At age 8 I had a tumor operation that cause me to go blind. The tumor was located on my pituitary gland and optic nerve. I have light perception in my right eye. I can see with my left eye, but not in detail.
How and when did you first hear about /start with AccesSurf?
I heard about AccesSurf from a friend, back in 2015
What does AccesSurf mean to you?
AccesSurf friends became my ‘Ohana. A safe place to hang out, have fun under the sun, talk stories and make new friends. You can catch me at AccesSurf every month playing my Native American flute, sitting by the ocean, or jamming on my ukulele under the yellow canopy.
Favorite AccesSurf memory?
I caught waves on the first day March 2015. I have cousins that have surfed since they were born. They never took me surfing because I was blind. I wanted to know what was the hype of surfing. Now I know the reason why, the ultimate rush and being one with the ocean.
Anything you want to say or share with our AccesSurf ‘ohana?
Growing up, people told me I couldn’t do things because I was blind. Examples, ride bike, skate board and at one time I rode all over Kam Heights with a Honda 50 CC mini motorcycle. I even surf once a month thanks to AccesSurf. I had to prove it not only to myself but to those narrow-minded donkeys. I never took no for an answer. I didn’t do 100 percent, but I always gave it 110 percent. If I had listened to those donkeys, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
Words of wisdom:
- Disability is not a barrier to success.
- Don’t let people tell you how to live your life because of your disability.
- Don’t take no for an answer.
- Live life at it’s fullest.
- Take charge with confidence and self reliance.
- Do 110 percent and kick butt with a smile.
