550-pound teen loses weight, gains hope for future

sara1981 · 05-05-2012, 11:50 PM

550-pound teen loses weight, gains hope for future
550-pound teen loses weight, gains hope for future - FOX Carolina 21

Quote:

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Alex Draper wants to graduate from Travelers Rest High School next year. He is taking extra classes this summer and working hard on his school credits. He is making up for months lost when he was younger - when he tipped the scales at more than 550 pounds.

He was 14 years old when his mother, Jerri Gray, got word that the South Carolina Department of Social Services might take Draper from her. The day of a scheduled court hearing, she put him in her van and started driving. They ended up in Baltimore, MD, where authorities caught up to them a couple of days later. Gray was charged with child neglect and spent about five weeks in jail, while Draper went to live with relatives.

Three years later, both Draper and Gray have changed. Draper is busy with school, his social life and working as manager for a local basketball team. He is active in his church and with his extended family. Plus, he works out nearly every day with trainers at the gym and in the pool at the Travelers Rest YMCA.

He looks like a different person. Draper has lost about 250 pounds. He credits many people for his dramatic weight loss, including relatives, friends, counselors and trainers. He told FOX Carolina that he plans to keep working out and hopes to lose even more weight.

Draper will attend college in Huntsville, AL, after he graduates from high school. He wants to study architecture and said he wants to help others.

"My main plan is to lose all that weight and stuff like that, and do my architecture and stuff like that, and go overseas and build houses," Draper said.

He said he hopes to combine mission work with his area of study. He said that helping others is a big part of his new life.

As for Draper's mother, she is trying to get back on her feet. She said she has lost more than 60 pounds and hopes to lose even more. She lives alone, with Draper visiting her on the weekends. She called what happened three years ago a mistake, but said she is a good mother and was only trying to protect her son.

Gray spends her free time singing at Triune Mercy Center in Greenville and painting. She has created a number of paintings and sold them to people in the Upstate. She said her criminal record was cleared after she completed community service, and her next step is to find a job.

Both Draper and Gray said they wish the best for each other and are looking forward to the future. They both said they appreciate the support they are receiving from the people around them and they hope the image in many people's minds of them three years ago, will be replaced with the people they are now.

howag · 05-06-2012, 05:05 AM

Nice to hear they made the effort to change! Can someone's criminal record be cleared just like that?

drphil · 05-10-2012, 06:21 PM

On my user name TV show within a couple of weeks- a desperate fellow weighing 700 pounds seeking his advice.- to save his life.
The Biggest losers TV programme just over for this season- next season coming up-tips?

**Smithtr** · 05-15-2012, 03:12 PM

it is not health serious high your heart serious! your heart attack or, i warnd you heart your hearrt or your tired sleep risk! serious!

you can do change water or health proper on food! correct balance! health wise!

drphil · 05-16-2012, 07:12 PM

Obesity is a risk factor for "heart attacks". To be determined why is one obese in the first place?
Metabolic syndrome/Thyroid problems or "excess eating" with no exercise.

Discussion with one's doctor-first step.

Babyblue · 05-17-2012, 07:15 AM

Wirelessly posted

Criminal records are cleared or expunged often when a person complies and completes the sentence. A ex con with a good attorney can have his/her records expunged.

drphil · 05-18-2012, 08:47 AM

I understand the 700 lb male is appearing on the Dr Phil show today. NBC/CTV 3.00pm. Could be worth watching as well as the Biggest losers which will restart shortly.
Having watched the programme- seems his mother has been bringing all the food that he was eating. He himself, go hardly walk. The answer was a change of environment- a specialized facility-WellSprings-I believe.
It take a "long time" to get a "healthy weight"

05-10-2012, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
drphil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 4,169	On my user name TV show within a couple of weeks- a desperate fellow weighing 700 pounds seeking his advice.- to save his life. The Biggest losers TV programme just over for this season- next season coming up-tips? __________________ Get Real:Implanted Sunnybrook/Toronto -Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07

05-15-2012, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Smithtr Siberian Husky Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 14,804	it is not health serious high your heart serious! your heart attack or, i warnd you heart your hearrt or your tired sleep risk! serious! you can do change water or health proper on food! correct balance! health wise! __________________

05-16-2012, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
drphil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 4,169	Obesity is a risk factor for "heart attacks". To be determined why is one obese in the first place? Metabolic syndrome/Thyroid problems or "excess eating" with no exercise. Discussion with one's doctor-first step. __________________ Get Real:Implanted Sunnybrook/Toronto -Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07

05-17-2012, 07:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12,034	Wirelessly posted Criminal records are cleared or expunged often when a person complies and completes the sentence. A ex con with a good attorney can have his/her records expunged. Last edited by Babyblue; 05-17-2012 at 07:17 AM.

05-18-2012, 08:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
drphil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 4,169	I understand the 700 lb male is appearing on the Dr Phil show today. NBC/CTV 3.00pm. Could be worth watching as well as the Biggest losers which will restart shortly. Having watched the programme- seems his mother has been bringing all the food that he was eating. He himself, go hardly walk. The answer was a change of environment- a specialized facility-WellSprings-I believe. It take a "long time" to get a "healthy weight" __________________ Get Real:Implanted Sunnybrook/Toronto -Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07 Last edited by drphil; 05-19-2012 at 08:48 AM. Reason: additional info

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05-06-2012, 05:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
howag Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: London Posts: 334	Nice to hear they made the effort to change! Can someone's criminal record be cleared just like that?

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