The name Malaki is a variation on “Malachi,” a Hebrew name which means, “My Messenger.” Malaki Reilly has a message for the people who do not know him:

“I try to stay positive, even when I have buckets of homework at night. It feels good to do what I like.

Love music, love singing, and love audio in general.

I’m kind. I’m happy. I love my family.”

Malaki’s life is also a message. He is mostly blind, seeing some colors and silhouettes, but that’s about it. Malaki reads Braille and uses a cane to get around. But this is not what most defines him, and what makes his story a perfect one for this Good Friday, Feel-Good Friday story.

In Monroe, Michigan where Malaki lives, the local newspaper wrote a blurb about a March 31 feature on ABC 13 Toledo’s “Feel-Good Friday with Sashem Brey.” The profile about Malaki was a big deal to this community, as is the young man himself.

Malaki Reilly, a Monroe High School junior, will be on television Friday.

Malaki will be featured at 4 p.m. Friday on the “Feel Good Friday” segment on Toledo’s 13abc Action News.

The MHS student will talk about his dream of working in media.

Malaki first appeared in the Monroe News in 2013, when he was just about seven. He was showing his heart, talent, and overcoming ability at a young age.

Born blind, Mal runs, throws basketballs and keeps up with his classmates.

Summerfield Elementary School physical education teacher Randy Appling worked with Robin Wilson, an adaptive physical education teacher for students with special needs with the Monroe County Inter­mediate School District, to help Malaki succeed in gym class.

“He did what we did in class,” Mr. Appling said. “If the kids were running in straight lines, Malaki would run in a straight line with the help of his aide (Stacy Morlock) who would call him and he would run to her voice.”

While his first-grade class­mates relied on their hand-eye coordination to kick a soccer ball into a goal or shoot a bas­ket, Malaki used other skills.

“He used his auditory skills,” Mr. Appling said. “He has a great sense of touch and he had to rely on that.”

Ms. Wilson offered tips to help Malaki in the traditional gym class. She placed a bell inside of a ball so he could hear the object move.

During soccer, Mal would listen to the reverberation on the goal posts to hear where he needed to kick a ball.

Instead of Malaki being treated as “Special Ed,” his educators encouraged his integration with the student populace, and he has adapted and thrived. Malaki’s enhanced auditory abilities has led him into music and singing. Fast forward 10 years, and this high school junior calls himself, “Malaki the Music Man,” and he has a dream of using his beautiful, resonant voice either as a DJ or a voiceover artist, or perhaps both.

“Working at a radio station, DJing from there, maybe doing voiceovers for TV commercials,” Malaki told ABC 13’s Sashem Brey.

And there are people who believe in Malaki and want to help him in fulfilling those dreams. One of his biggest fans is Erin French Bemis, the Positive Climate Liaison at Monroe High School.

“He’s just been an inspiration to me,” Bemis said.

“My goal is to help him in the next phase of life to have opportunities open to him—have all opportunities.”

Malaki has all the potential, all the confidence, and lots of support in seeing his dreams come to fruition. And really, isn’t that all any of us need? It may not be a disability, but we all struggle to overcome something. Malaki’s story shows us that the struggle is part of the journey, and we can use it to help fuel our victories. I knew a pastor who liked to say that God will turn your scars into stars, and your stumbling blocks into stepping stones. I peeped Malaki’s Facebook profile, and it is full of scripture and encouragement, showing that he has a strong faith to guide him as well. With God nothing is impossible.

Malaki Reilly could be the next Ray Charles or Rush Limbaugh. With his talent on loan from God and counselors like Erin Bemis as the wind beneath his wings, there is no telling where Malaki will go or what he will become. We just know it will be full of weight, purpose, and all the things he loves to do and be.

For all those who observe, have a reflective Good Friday, a Blessed Passover, and a Happy Easter!

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