LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Sterling Reed volunteers at an afterschool program that teaches children anything and everything about technology to rural, at-risk youths.

"You can see how excited they are about breaking their computers," Reed said. "Now do not go home and break your mom’s computer." 

Reed said he wishes a program like that had been available to him when he was younger.

"If we had a program like this growing up, I’d be a whiz kid," Reed said. 

He said some of the youths with which he works already are.

"You know, they’re always teaching me how to use the computers and doing different things on it," Reed said. "They have good questions."

Reed can do just about anything.

"As you can see, my spasms kind of run," Reed said as he worked out. "And it can be a little discouraging, but guess what? You keep trying. You just keep trying," Reed said as he worked out.  

Back in college, Reed was shot in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. He hasn’t slowed down. Reed took his situation as an opportunity to inspire others with disabilities. He’s not alone in helping his community. He married his high school sweetheart, had a son and thanks God every day.

The South Lake Technology Center where Reed volunteers has only been open for a month, and there’s already a waitlist. He said that shows the need the Four Corners community has for technology programs.

"Our program is just full right now," Reed said. "We have so many people who are signing up."

He said he hopes the nonprofit gets a bigger space and that there’s more resources put in the Four Corners area, especially in technology.

The South Lake Technology Center is looking to expand in Lake County. Contact the program through the nonprofit Hands of Hope if you are aware of a possible facility.