About Ray Heisler
Raymond Heisler is a poet/song lyrist and author. After spending fifteen years as a touring musician, Ray transitioned to becoming an author. Ray’s love for poetry is deeply rooted. His biological mother
Was a poet. His brother was a drummer and his sister also had a love for writing when she was young. Ray’s first book was Amazon’s top one hundred best books of 2014. But the most amazing thing about his story is, Ray was born with Cerebral Palsy and Dyslexia and needs the aid of a wheelchair to get around. He released another book in 2016 titled “The Journey Of A Man”, which was released in 2017. After the release of his second book, Ray took a ten-year hiatus due to mental health issues. After his ten-year hiatus, Ray is preparing to release his most personal collection yet with three more books planned in the series, and the first book slated to be released around National Suicide Prevention month.
My Story
Ray “The Wheelchair Poet” Heisler’s interest in music and writing began at the age of ten. While most kids were interested in basketball and climbing on the jungle gym–Ray, on the other hand, would hang out with his favorite teacher, Justin. Justin would bring his guitar out at recess and sit down in a shady spot against the wall and play Vertical Horizon and Red Hot Chili Pepper songs until the bell rang. Little did Ray know, it would be that one teacher who would help initiate Ray’s music career.
Ray was born with Cerebral Palsy, which hampers his ability to walk. And because of his disability, Ray suffered severely dyslexia–hindering his ability to read and write. He has overcome all these challenges throughout his life to become a local celebrity and mentor. Finally, at the age of 17, Ray reunited with his teacher, Justin.
Ray contacted Justin and expressed a desire to release a CD based on his poems. Ray’s CD was released late 2005 to an overwhelming response. It quickly became the talk of his high school thanks to a chance meeting with an advertising executive. In the spring of 2011, Ray released “Love, Life and Everything in Between”--showcasing a more mature Ray, which solidified his status as an influential lyricist and song writer in the area. During this time, Ray became invested in giving back and mentoring children who also had disabilities. Therefore, he made 500 copies of his sophomore disc and gave it away as a present to 500 of at-risk youth at Holiday for Hope–showing these children that they too, could achieve their dreams.
In 2011, he began mentoring high school student Micaela Gonzalez, an up-and-coming artist with the voice of an angel. He has performed with Micaela, as well as hit band Bonnie Rash at So Kids SOAR (previously Dreams For Kids DC) Holiday Celebration numerous times - an event that celebrates diversity and empowerment. He took the stage again with Bonnie Rash and delivered the message of empowerment and charity at VinoFest 2014 in Washington, DC. He released his book The Dark Before The Dawn on April 5th, 2014.
Find Ray On iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ray-heisler/id550836283
Find Ray On Amazon here: www.amazon.com/The-Dark-Before-Dawn-Volume/dp/1497509025/