My name is Glen (Marc) Marcum. I was born and raised in Delaware County. My life has had some big bumps along the way. My brother and I were born with muscular dystrophy. We had a pretty normal life until about the age of 15. Then things started failing. We lost the ability to walk and stand. We also had three brothers who were not affected with this disease.

We lived in an old farmhouse with no running water and no furnace. We had chores to do like everyone else back then. We were also busy just being "kids". We didn't have time to dwell on our affliction. We played backyard football, rode bikes and jumped in the local swimming hole every chance we could. We were lucky. Most kids with our type of muscular dystrophy never get to enjoy these things. Maybe it was the hardship that made us stronger or maybe the fact that we were not treated any different than our brothers.

Now I am 42 and Paul is 38. We are both on ventilators and have big power chairs that cost as much as a car. Paul works part-time and I am starting my own business. We live in an almost new Habitat for Humanity house, built from the giving volunteers of Delaware County.

If you ever feel life had given you lemons and times are tough, they can get better. Our doctors told my parents we would never live past twenty years old.

Starting my own business had always been a dream on mine. Being my own boss, picking my own hours and being able to work from home. Who wouldn't want that?

Mirco-Enterprise and the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities have made this possible. I attended a two-day seminar sponsored by Micro-Enterprise and the county board. We talked about the different aspects of business and did some group discussions about potential business ideas.

I received a $2500.00 grant, which was doubled by the county board. I bought a computer, printer and fax machine. It took over two years to get everything together. A good part of that time was trying to convince people to take my business seriously. Initially I started a web page designer company. After a brainstorming session about my prior employment with Bridges to Independence as a background checker, my new company started to take shape.

I have formed Vader Security LLC, a background check agency. My company will provide SSI Retrieval, Education Verification, Criminal Background checks, State and nationwide checks, Arrest records, Vehicle Registration and BMV checks. I plan to work with Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities and other county boards in the state of Ohio

Now I am finally able to some business. I can earn a decent living and hopefully do my part in keeping our community a safer place. I appreciate the chance Delaware County has given me. I also owe due thanks to Bob Morgan, DCBDD Superintendent, Linda Hahn, DCBDD Support Administrator, Bev Johnson, Maxum L.P.N., Paul Marcum, brother and Loretta Marcum, mother and caregiver.