Beating the odds: Man born deaf, to crack-addicted mother assumes Obama's former state senate seat

One of the youngest lawmakers in Springfield Wednesday assumed the state senate seat that former President Obama once held.

The 33-year-old Hyde Park politician’s road to the state capital was anything but easy.

Robert Peters was born deaf and needed surgery to allow him to hear. He also battled ADHD and overcame a severe speech impediment.

The young politician also says he was born to a crack-addicted mother.