2. Early Childhood Ben Carson was born on September 18, 1951 to Sonya Carson in Detroit Michigan. His parents got divorced when he was 8. In 5 th grade Carson was at the bottom of his class and often called a “dummy” which made him develop a temper.

3. Life Changes Once Sonya realized her son’s problem, she took charge and made him read books and give reports to educate his mind. Carson also received glasses which enabled him to see what the teacher was trying to teach, since he sat in the back of the class. Once he began to develop the interest to learn he began to show it. Once in his science class, a teacher held up a rock asking the class what kind of rock it was and Carson was the only one able to answer it. That event gave him encouragement to learn as much as he could.

4. Early Influence oCarson attended church with his family ever since he was a young child. One time his church was visited by a missionary, and Carson was impressed by their job. He loved the idea of visiting foreign countries and taking care of other people. oAfter several years Carson realized that being a church missionary did not pay very much, and money was something that he wanted to make. He then decided to become a psychologist. Carson always viewed them in television as being wealthy in money and at the same time they were still helping people.

5. Later Influence  As Ben approached college he learned that television was a liar and that psychologist did not earn as much as they were pictured to make.  Now he was faced with a difficult decision, what should his new career be? He thought about it and came with the conclusion of neurosurgery.  Another decision was, what school would be the best choice in helping him reach his goal. He decided to attend Yale and later the University of Michigan.  In the University of Michigan he meet a man by the name of James Taren. He was a neurosurgery professor who inspired Ben to become a more skilled and experienced neurosurgeon. Taren gave Carson the best statement of his life, “Sure, it’s a dangerous procedure, but look at the alternative if we do nothing.”

6. Later Influences cont...  Another man who influence Carson was George Udvarhelyi. Udvarhelyi was a doctor that went the extra mile. He always taught Carson to not only examine a person’s illness, but also their life. He made Carson understand that once you are a physician it is your life to help that of others before you help yours.  Carson’s most important mentor is Donlin Long. Long made Carson the chief of pediatric neurosurgery at age thirty-three. The main lesson Carson learned from Long was: Be Nice To People -All People- Even When You Don’t Have To Be. Everybody Is Important.

7. Major Achievements  The Binder Siamese Twins. The Binder twins were born joined at the back of the head. Operations to separate twins joined in this way had always failed, resulting in the death of one or both of the infants. Carson agreed to undertake the operation. A 70-member surgical team, led by Dr. Carson, worked for 22 hours. At the end, the twins were successfully separated and can now survive independently.  The first intra-uterine procedure to relieve pressure on the brain of a hydrocephalic fetal twin.  A hemispherectomy, in which an infant suffering from uncontrollable seizures has half of its brain removed.

8. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Talent: Our Creator has endowed all of us not just with the ability to sing, dance or throw a ball, but with intellectual talent. Start getting in touch with that part of you that is intellectual and develop that, and think of careers that will allow you to use that.Talent: Our Creator has endowed all of us not just with the ability to sing, dance or throw a ball, but with intellectual talent. Start getting in touch with that part of you that is intellectual and develop that, and think of careers that will allow you to use that.

9. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Honesty: If you lead a clean and honest life, you don't put skeletons in the closet. If you put skeletons in the closet, they definitely will come back just when you don’t want to see them and ruin your life.Honesty: If you lead a clean and honest life, you don't put skeletons in the closet. If you put skeletons in the closet, they definitely will come back just when you don’t want to see them and ruin your life.

10. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Insight: It comes from people who have already gone where you're trying to go. Learn from their triumphs and their mistakes.Insight: It comes from people who have already gone where you're trying to go. Learn from their triumphs and their mistakes.

11. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Nice: If you're nice to people, then once they get over the suspicion of why you're being nice, they will be nice to you.Nice: If you're nice to people, then once they get over the suspicion of why you're being nice, they will be nice to you.

12. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Knowledge: It makes you into a more valuable person. The more knowledge you have, the more people need you. It's an interesting phenomenon, but when people need you, they pay you, so you'll be okay in life.Knowledge: It makes you into a more valuable person. The more knowledge you have, the more people need you. It's an interesting phenomenon, but when people need you, they pay you, so you'll be okay in life.

13. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Books: They are the mechanism for obtaining knowledge, as opposed to television.Books: They are the mechanism for obtaining knowledge, as opposed to television.

14. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. In-Depth Learning: Learn for the sake of knowledge and understanding, rather than for the sake of impressing people or taking a test.In-Depth Learning: Learn for the sake of knowledge and understanding, rather than for the sake of impressing people or taking a test.

15. T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. God: Never get too big for Him.God: Never get too big for Him.