Adrian Peterson Speaks at YMCA of Columbia and Palmetto Center for Women Prayer Breakfast, May 9, 2014

COLUMBIA, SC – Adrian Peterson, former NFL player with the Chicago Bears, spoke at the YMCA of Columbia and Palmetto Center for Women’s Annual Prayer breakfast on Friday morning, May 9, 2014.

Peterson is both an award-winning NFL player and a disabled person who has had a long, hard journey living with a stutter. Peterson travels the nation sharing his story of faith and how a difficult speech disability motivated him to fight harder to reach his life goals. He recently released a memoir titled, “Don’t Dis My Abilities,” an inspiring story of hope.

Peterson graduated from Georgia Southern in 2001, capping an extraordinary collegiate career that witnessed his winning the 1999 Walter Payton Award. The four-time consensus All-American lef the Eagles to two national championships and a third title game appearance. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2002, Peterson spent eight seasons with the NFL team, including the 2006 NFC Championship season and Super Bowl XLI. He played one season with the Virginia Destroyers in 2011.

In addition to speaking at the Prayer Breakfast, Peterson also visited three YMCA of Columbia branches for book signings and to meet the kids in the Y’s Afterschool programs.

The YMCA of Columbia and Palmetto Center for women would like to thank the benefactor sponsors for the Prayer Breakfast: WO Blackstone, Colliers International, Elliot Davis, Kathryn Williams and Tom Ervin, and LCK Construction Services.

About the YMCA of Columbia

Over the past century and a half, the YMCA of Columbia has been a community-transforming institution, not only in the Midlands, but in the entire United States. The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Regardless of age, income or background – the Y works to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Please visitwww.columbiaymca.org for more information.

About the Palmetto Center for Women

The Palmetto Center for Women is proud to be the Midlands’ home and meeting place for the social, intellectual, physical and spiritual development of women. Formerly the YWCA of the Midlands, the PCW continues a long tradition of providing services to the women of Columbia and surrounding communities. The PCW is more committed than ever to equipping women with resources they need to achieve great things at work, at home, for themselves and for their communities.