Jude was born in the early 80’s—when Reagan introduced the country to the War on Drugs and, in turn, the country was introduced to crack-cocaine, when Michael Jackson and Madonna duked it out with Bret Michaels (Poison) and Vince Neil (Motley Crew), and when headbands and ripped sweatshirts were in, disco was out, and MTV reined supreme.
He was raised by a single-mom and had an older bother to scuffle with growing up. Finding it tough to make it on her own while raising two young boys, Jude’s mom moved the family countless times – ending up in the proximity of family, romantic interests, or wherever the job led. As if things weren’t tumultuous enough for Jude, at the tender age of 16 he was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia. With no cure, no known treatments, and the fact that the condition is progressive, i.e. it worsens over time, his future seems bleak. But behind every wall of sorrow is a voice, crying out to be heard…and for Jude, writing is his only outlet.
Currently, Jude resides in his hometown (what he considers his hometown) of Lexington, Ky. He began attending the University of Kentucky in 2000, where he earned a BA in Business Administration. His passion coming out of high school was creative writing but after 2 ½ “undeclared” years, he was pressured into deciding on a major that was more “job-oriented,” like business. Now it’s three years later and he is jobless. His degree just sits in a drawer. He is a member of two writers groups, sends out periodic e-mails containing some of his new poems to nearly 70 people, and loves watching drunk people dance, reading Charles Bukowski, and telling dirty jokes.
Jude writes mainly poetry and prose, although on occasion (albeit seldom) he is able to generate a short story by pecking away on his computer keyboard. Unfortunately, this is the only means of writing that he is able to do. Lacking the ability to physically write (scribe) or type – with very much speed or accuracy – his writing output capability is limited. But living with his obstacles and impairments is what compels him most to write. He has also tried using voice recognition technology, but to no avail.
In the words of Helen Keller, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” That pretty much sums up Jude’s philosophy.
Jude’s contributions:
