Mobility Man – A Man on the Move

Mr. Samuel Roberson, Jr.
Photo credit: Ms. Darrylean Johnson

“But God” is not just a phrase or song title, but a motto that inspires Deacon Samuel Roberson, Jr. to keep moving. After becoming a double amputee in 2010, many people would have limited their life style to the available assistance of others. Instead, Samuel has asked God to help him become as independent as possible. God did just that. He can prepare his own food, do his laundry and drives himself wherever he goes. He faithfully attends his local church, holding the position of deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, trustee board president and is probably the strongest supporter of his church’s youth department. He also attends and participates in various district and state conferences each year such as the Greater North Carolina Mission to Men Conference. If you ask him what keeps him going, without hesitation he says, “But God! Nobody but God”.

He has become known as the Mobility Man because he is always on the go.

He proudly wears his Vietnam Veteran cap, which gets him many greetings and words of appreciation for his service. But what really gets people attention is seeing him get in and out of his van. It is not a wheel chair accessible van, so while he has a lift to get his wheel chair into the van, he must pull himself up into the drivers seat. Some people catch themselves staring for a while before asking if they can help. He graciously declines and continues with what just seems like little effort to get in or out of his van.

Because his spirit of independence is such an inspiration, his life of mobility has become a ministry within itself. He visits the sick and provides transportation to church. Once a week, he conducts a bible class at the very nursing home he was put in after being sick to the point of death. “It’s an inspiration to the patients as well as myself that I spent months here but now I am out and able to come back to visit.”

In 2010, Samuel Roberson Jr. spent five months in ICU, Duke Medical Center, and then hospice. He often testifies about how he has gone back to see doctors who were surprised that he is still alive. And then he adds, “But God”, which is the title of one of his favorite songs. He went from a line in the song: “When the doctor said any day, but God”, to a nursing home that he came to debilitated. Through his faith in God, the prayers of his pastor, church, and other love ones, he regained his strength. He became an inspiration to the other patients as well as staff and visitors. After his release, he would often return for visits, always checking in on the patient who was currently in the room that was his for several months. “We noticed that every few months, the person that was in that room was better and had been released. I told them that the room was blessed because of what God had done for me in that room. One time they wanted to turn it into a storage room but I encouraged them not to because I told them that the room is blessed.

“People may get tired of hearing what I have to say but I’ve got to tell it. God’s been too good to me. I can’t wait on people. I am not handicapped. I am handi-capable. With the strength of God, I can do!”

Samuel served 22 years in the United States Army and also retired from the City of Fayetteville, NC as a repair parts specialist.

He has been a member of C.D. McNeill Memorial Church of God in Christ where Dr. Thomas C. Leak is currently the pastor for over 24 years.

He is married. He has two sons, one daughter, six grandchildren and several “adopted” children and grandchildren.

“I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. That’s how I stay mobile.”