FORMER "DRUG LORD" HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Earlier this year Zollie Williamson, age 47, was racing through the dark
evil side of life, leading a corrupt drug-lord lifestyle until a tragic
auto accident stopped him in his path. That accident turned his life
around, forcing him to stop and re-evaluate himself and his feelings for
his fellow man.

The auto accident in May of this year left Zollie with both shoulders
broken, a crushed chest, a broken leg and arm and a head injury.

After spending a month in a coma, he was taken to SunBridge Care and
Rehabilitation of Winchester where he said he found real friends who really
care about him. Now he says his view of mankind has changed greatly and his
heart has opened up to Jesus.

He wishes to share with readers what he has learned about life while going
through rehab.

Although Zollie grew up as an only child and had everything he needed, he
wanted more and wanted it fast. He was attracted to the drug lords who had
the new cars and nice clothes and flashy jewelry and as a teen was
introduced to the drug world and has been involved in it for 20 years, up
until the accident. His dealings put him in and out of jail many times and
in the penitentiary twice.

"I was pitiful. I was a poor thug living minute to minute, selling drugs,
buying drugs. But now I am disciplined," said Zollie. "I'm having to
re-learn everything-to talk, to walk, to feed myself. Now I'm the 'new kid
on the block' here," he jokes. A month ago I couldn't walk, but God has
been good and allowed me to start my life over."

Zollie is now grateful for the simplest of life's gifts. He cried tears of
joy and relief just a few weeks ago when he was able to take one step, then
fell down, crying for quite a while. It was just reassurance to him that
everything he'd begun to believe in was true and that he had just begun to
live, at age 47.

"I'm just like a kid now," said Zollie, who indeed had childlike excitement
showing in his eyes as he explained the experiences that led up to where he
is today, learning to walk and talk again.

"This life here (at SunBridge) showed me so much difference in
people...they really care about me here...they really showed me true love.
They want to see me get well. I look around and see old people here in
worse shape than me - I tell myself, 'they survive, so I want to survive.'"

Already, doctors are surprised at Zollie's progress. He was unable even to
talk when he woke from the coma and couldn't understand or communicate
well. But now he can talk and is learning to take steps with the aid of a
walker and his therapists who patiently help him keep his balance.

He tells what it was like when he first woke up from the coma. He saw his
wife, Shirley and two sons, Dirus and Andre and daughter, Sara by his side.
He choked up while telling how they were there for him, though he'd never
been available for them.

"We'd (wife) been separated for ten years and here they (family) were
standing by my bedside. They didn't even hate me...they loved me. Now we're
closer than ever. They made me want to walk again. " Zollie's Uncle Herman
Ayers also been a big inspiration in his life and he feels much humbleness
and gratitude that he has always had so much compassion and love for him
and never gave up hope for him even during all the drug troubles.

"He (Uncle Herman) never pointed a finger at me, though he talked to me all
my life, telling me I was wrong. I never paid him any attention. He was a
father-figure for me when I grew up and has always been there for me. But
he never once said after I had the accident, 'I told you so.' He gives me
unconditional love. I didn't really care about myself or others before. Now
I've learned what true love is and that I can love and I learned that you
can trust others."

Zollie listens to people now and to the ministers who come to SunBridge
Care and Rehabilitation to talk to the residents. He truly believes Jesus
has made a difference in his life. He says he couldn't carry himself
through this alone.

"I feel the Lord has blessed me and now I want to talk to teens about the
horrors of drugs so they won't do the same thing." The urgency in Zollie's
voice speaks of his determination and a zest for life and his great need to
inspire others that may be facing a similar situation.

"I know teens-I know just how they think, feel, what they are going
through. I've kept up with teens, living in the drug world for so long. And
I know they don't want to hear that holy-roly religious stuff, but they'll
listen to someone who's been there-they'll only believe someone's who's
been there. I'd tell them that fast life is no good. You can get things
fast but look at what you do to others. I truly believe in the saying,
'what goes around comes around.' If you want something, work, get a steady
income, be honest and straight...the street life is not the life for anybody."

Although Zollie is still getting around in a wheelchair, doctors expect
that when he begins more extensive 8-hour-a-day therapy at Siskin in
Chattanooga, he should regain 80 percent of his abilities by Christmastime.
And to hear him talk, one would have no doubt that he will make it and stay
on the straight path while inspiring others to do the same.

"Look to Jesus," said Zollie. "He will make a way when there's no other way
possible if you trust and believe... And just keep pushing-you'll finally
end up with that rainbow-keep pushing-don't give up!"

Zollie would like to hear from anyone going through a similar situation or
from teens who may be involved in drugs and want someone to talk to
confidentially. He receives mail at the following address: 28637 Barlowe
Rd., Madison, Ala., 35756.