Lekesia Jackson is wise beyond her 18 years.

&uot;I know exactly what I want,&uot; Jackson said in a calm and confident voice.

That one thing Jackson wants is to become a lawyer.

Born and raised in Adams County, Jackson will graduate from Natchez High School in May and go on to Ole Miss in the fall to study law.

She has done all this with the lifelong challenge of cerebral palsy.

But Jackson doesn’t think much about this crippling condition.

&uot;If you have faith in God, strong beliefs, and family values, you can achieve anything you set your mind on,&uot; Jackson said.

One of her biggest challenges in school has been &uot;surviving four years in a school of 1,500 kids.&uot;

Just walking to classes can be a struggle for Jackson. The palsy has caused her legs to turn inward, and has prompted numerous surgeries to help correct the malformation.

&uot;Since I&160;have a distinct walk and because I am unique and different, most kids when I was young did not take kindly to someone being different from them,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;They either laughed at me or felt sorry for me.&uot;

At age 13, Jackson met her best friend, Valorie James. &uot;To have a friend was just a dream for me until I met Valorie James,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;She has made my life complete because she looks at me, Lekesia, as a person, not a handicap.&uot;

A tall, thin young woman with a ready smile, Jackson said she has always wanted to be an attorney. &uot;I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer – to provide people with justice,&uot; she said.

Criminal law needs to be completely overhauled, she said.

&uot;The penalties don’t match the crimes,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;Someone convicted of robbery spends 15 years in jail while someone convicted of murder can get out in five?&uot;

While attending seventh grade at Natchez Middle School, Jackson heard a talk by Judge Lillian Blackmon Sanders that further convinced the young woman to pursue law as a career.

&uot;She really inspired me,&uot; Jackson said.

Lifelong inspirations for Jackson are her mother, her grandmother and her best friend.

Jackson’s mother, Naomi Carroll, said she looks forward to her daughter realizing her dream of a career in law, yet she is fearful of the separation college will represent. &uot;I told my husband he might as well get another wife,&uot; Carroll said with a laugh. &uot;I’m going back to college.&uot;