I'm Just Like You

Quick question:  What do you get when you combine cancer, murder, and lots of emotional problems? 

Answer:  Success

Hello. My name is Jim Good, and I’m the founder and executive director of the American Orphan Association.

I’ve dedicated my life to bringing hope and an education to America’s orphans.

Boyhood problems

How I became an orphan

Emotional problems I suffered

This saved my life

How did I change?

Why I help orphans

Ways I help orphans

Boyhood problems

I first realized my life wouldn’t be easy as a boy. My feelings of self-consciousness, insecurity and inferiority began around age 7.

I suffered from vitiligo, a painless skin condition that left large patches of white skin on my feet, legs, arms and hands.

I got used to the jokes and questions, but not to the continuous stares.

And as a boy and teenager, I was real skinny. Ribs and bones jutted, adding to my agony. Heck, skeletons even mocked me.

As the middle child of three, I wasn’t the oldest, nor the youngest, but somewhere lost in the middle. You middle children out there understand that albatross. But hey, let’s leave that gripe for the psychiatrist’s couch.

How I became an orphan

My father died of a brain tumor when I was 12.

Not long after, my mother remarried, and my stepfather murdered her.

After the murder, my brother, sister, and I fled to our grandparents. After we fled, our stepfather changed the locks on the house and sold most of our possessions and household contents at a public auction.

He then sold the house itself. We received only some clothing and a few incidentals.

After approximately 15 years, one civil wrongful death suit – in which we were awarded $500,000 but never collected a penny – and three federal murder trials, in which he was found unanimously guilty in all three yet let loose to technicalities in the first two, he was finally convicted of murder.

He died alone in his cell.

Emotional problems I suffered

Due to these many events, mental repercussions became my bedmate. Well into my adult years, I felt like a worthless punching bag.

I had been emotionally beaten to the point where I couldn’t look anyone in the eyes. Whether stares at my mottled skin, or stares of pity and sadness after my parent’s death, I soon attributed people looking at me as something negative.

This led to extreme self-consciousness. Therefore, to protect myself, I wouldn’t lock eyes with others. I felt completely unworthy and unwanted, like stinky fish in yesterday’s garbage.

A cowering, scrawny lad with no goals, no hope and no future. Man, life stunk more than that fish.

Until one day…

This saved my life

Driving through Bowersville, Ohio, one day, I noticed a sign that read, “Birthplace of the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale.”

I had never heard of the chap, and thought maybe he was some Ohio hick who used to preach in barns. Or, maybe he held the county’s distance record for tobacco spitting.

Anyway, something kept nagging at me to look him up in the library. I didn’t want to though, as he was a reverend, and I had no need for religious nonsense.

However, grudgingly, I checked out one of Norman Vincent Peale’s books.

Well, I soon realized that Norman Vincent Peale definitely wasn’t an ignorant hick – I was. Boy howdy.

Who besides me hadn’t heard of the phenomenal best-seller he penned, titled, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” or some of the 40-plus other books he wrote?

Norman Vincent Peale saved my life by introducing me to Jesus Christ and the power of positive thinking.

He taught me how to change my life by changing my thoughts.

For example, whenever a negative thought entered my mind, I immediately replaced it with a positive thought. Over time, positive thoughts "pushed out" most of the negative thoughts.

How did I change?

I slowly began the process of freeing myself from the chains that bound me. I built myself up – physically, spiritually and mentally.

I attacked my intense trust, abandonment and self-esteem issues, and placed my rage, fear and worry in the Lord’s hands.

I began looking people in the eyes. I eventually chose success, strength, courage, faith and hope over despair, defeat, and lack.

Yes, that’s right, it’s a CHOICE, one I willingly made.

I became an empowered individual whose spine of steel can conquer all obstacles. I learned that the world isn’t completely filled with loss, but instead wonderful opportunities. And, most importantly, I learned that the Lord did, and does, love this Ohio orphan.

Now don’t get me wrong, folks. I still have problems, just like everyone. As a matter of fact, I’ve got many, both big and small. I also sometimes resort back to negative, defeating thoughts.

But I’ve learned the secret. I just turn them over to the Lord, think positively, and then go on my merry way.

Why I help orphans

Next, the Lord filled my mind with an overpowering urge and passion to help other orphans conquer their demons.

Shock and disbelief couldn’t begin to explain my emotions. I couldn’t believe He chose me for such an honor.

The Lord revealed the deep purpose and meaning of my life.

I began by awarding orphan scholarships at my alma mater, Bowling Green University. However, it soon became apparent that the need was much greater than I alone could provide.

So, at the age of 38, I established the American Orphan Association, a 501c3 nonprofit public charity, which allows the association to accept donations and grants for orphans throughout America.

Ways I help orphans

Today, I am an orphan advocate, fighting for the betterment of our orphans.

Besides operating the charity, I am an inspirational speaker and also teach workshops to educators about orphans and foster youth.

I have many goals yet to reach, and am thrilled about the future. I hope to instill that same feeling in orphans nationwide. I strive to give them precious gifts – hope, optimism and a positive future.

As a final note, I must give thanks – THANK YOU, Lord. Thank you for blessing me so that I may be a blessing to others.