HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Brandon Farbstein thrives under tight deadlines. The sophomore delivers Deep Run High School’s morning reports at 9 a.m. sharp. The anchor desk a place where he feels most comfortable. This 16-year old intends to make television history.
"Since I was about 11 years old I wanted to go into journalism," Brandon said. "I think being the first little person journalist would be quite an amazing thing."
Brandon delivers Deep Run High School’s morning reports at 9 a.m. sharp.
Brandon has huge goals despite being diminutive in size. He lives with severe physical limitations. Standing a little more than three and a half feet tall, Brandon can't walk much without pain setting in.
"So at the age of two, I was diagnosed with an extreme form of dwarfism," Brandon said. "Not being able to be a normal teenager gets to me sometimes."
Brandon glides through the halls of Deep Run in Henrico’s West End on a miniature Segway. He already endured several surgeries and stares, but he is not short on confidence.
"I’m not going to let this condition define me," he said. "I’m not going to let this define this or this."
Brandon acts on stage and even sings in the chorus.
"He is very funny. He has a great personality. He is a ladies man. They like him,” teacher Amy El-Khouri said.
Brandon also recently shared his experiences and dreams at a Ted Talk at the Carpenter Center in Richmond. He said he intended to change peoples' perspectives about people with disabilities.
"I see a lot of positive wonderful things coming from Brandon in the future," teacher Kathleen Kern said. "Every time I see Brandon he is cheery and ready for the next challenge. Ready for the new day and it is motivating for me as a teacher."
Brandon Farbstein and Greg McQuade
When he is not zipping on two wheels Brandon likes riding in four as he works toward his driver’s license.
"I get a kick being around him. He inspires me. Makes me work harder," driving instructor Bo Ellett said.
Brandon hopes to inspire people no matter their size to overcome obstacles which makes his parents proud.
Brandon Farbstein
"I think it has taught him to have a successful life is lived by having a lot of resilience and kind of rolling with the punches," mother Sylvia Farbstein said.
Brandon Farbstein is a teen with big dreams on the anchor desk and in life.
"I was given this whole package for a reason," Brandon said. "Having this condition is hard, but it I’m not going to let this stop me."
Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
