Chapter Eight

Determination

The purpose of this book is to lead you down the trail to self-financing and self-reliance, with little or no risk. There is nothing up my sleeve and no trick-financing or other money manipulation. My method involves prudent operations, which gradually result in sufficient capital to eliminate borrowing.

Anyone may invest profitably in real estate. They may run the gamut from a professional person who has accumulated cash which he wishes to put to work, to a young person who wants to go into business for himself. Ownership of real estate is the safest investment available, if it is done intelligently.

I recall a young man who made himself financially independent in the housing field. He was completely paralyzed from the neck down. He was able to turn his head from side to side, but that was the sum total of his ability to move. Fortunately for him, a well-ordered thinking apparatus which diffused common sense and well analyzed conclusions was all that he required, and he was properly endowed.

I have not forgotten my meeting with him. A friend asked if I would call on the young man. He wanted to ask some questions of an experienced builder, since he was exploring the possibility of going into business.

I was not told about his disability, except that it would be necessary to call at his house, since he was bedridden, due to an accident. His mother met me at the door and bade me to walk right into the room, at the top of the stairs, since Harold expected me.

I did as she suggested and, for a moment, I didn't see anyone. Then I heard a cheerful, animated voice call me by name. It beckoned me to come over to the bed. I could see nothing but the head of a young man and one of his hands, outside the sheet. I reached over to clasp the hand, in greeting, but there was no response. I was an awkward moment for me, but only a moment. He started to talk, and my attention was focused on his face and his words.

He explained his condition to me, in a few sentences. There was no self-pity. He had been awarded some money as a result of an accident. He said he had spent several months investigating possible occupations and had finally settled on real estate development.

He had read many books related to the subject, and they had raised a number of questions. He hoped I would have the answers.

His enthusiasm, self-confidence and knowledge of the subject completely erased any awareness of his physical condition. We were just two individuals, interested in the same subject.

I spent about three hours with him and apparently answered all of his questions and removed some doubts.

I walked out to my car with a guilty feeling. Why had I not accomplished more with my own life? All of my parts were functioning normally.

A couple of years later, curiosity led me to the grand opening of the first condominium to be built in our locality. I was thrilled, when the owner-builder proved to be my paralyzed friend.

Copyright ©1995 Robert A. MacDonald, All Rights Reserved.
Last revised: May 10, 1998.