Describe a person-my friend Cheney

Most of my friends and I share a similar life style, but not Cheney. His morals and values are quite different from mine, due(suggestion: replace 'due' with 'owing') to his special experiences. However, these differences have not yet stopped us from being good friends. (Using 'however' here emphasises that even though you have different values, you still manage to remain friends). 

I met Cheney during my freshman summer vacation. That scene is still in my mind. A stout guy asked if I wanted to buy a bottle of ice water. Heavily sweating as he was, a happy smile still hung on his lips. After a short chat, we found that we were high school mates but never met before.

Cheney had a miserable childhood. He suffered from severe hydrocephaly at 8 years old, the surgery for which his left body was disabled. His father then abandoned the whole family and his mother couldn’t pay for the tuition of both him and his little sister. Cheney was forced to drop out of high school and became the mainstay of his family at 15. First, he was a street vendor selling soft drinks, from which he saved enough money to open his own grocery store after three years. Cheney is a people person with strong will and indomitable spirit. That’s why he could support his whole family and a few poor students in our hometown.

“My greatest regret is that I couldn’t access higher education. The only thing I can do is to help as many students as I can so that they won't follow in my steps.”

Two years ago Cheney made a decision to open a bookstore. His decision was opposed by most of his friends, including me. I opposed this decision because this aging industry is adversely affected by the increasing prevalence of electronic books. Despite this opposition, no one could change Cheney’s mind. The most important purpose of his book store is encouraging local people to read books instead of playing mah-jong during their spare time. Though I disagreed with his decision, I still provided help when he operated on a tight budget. Luckily his business was reported by local news and he consequently received the support of local government. I hope his business continues to flourish so that he may help more people.

Cheney is an ordinary man doing great things. He is my greatest role model.  

（a Corner of Chaney‘s bookstore, anyone can enjoy free reading here. I am glad most cosumers order drinks though they aren't cost constrained）