Overcoming Adversity is a personal and intriguing story that highlights how to successfully cope with the inevitable barriers and obstacles of life. Nelson Fowlkes narrates the story through insightful strategies and tactics that were effectively utilized on his journey. Hopefully, you will be inspired and amazed by this incredible story. His tool kit reveal tenacity, self-reliance optimism, self-reliance, adaptability, perseverance and faith. These qualities and characteristics were instrumental in his remarkable and astonishing rise from a fractured childhood and poverty to complete a twenty-year service in the United Sates Army Medical Corps, retiring as a Lt. Colonel, earned graduate degrees in Biochemistry and Public Administration. In addition he earned professional certificates in Gerontology and Conflict Resolution. A most compelling concept: do not allow circumstances to define your worth.