By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Longtime KYW traffic reporter John Brown has been retired for a year, but he's been busy -- finishing his book on a life spent conquering disability.

The cerebral palsy John Brown was born with affects his balance, and one side of his body is weaker than the other.  But it didn't affect his speech, allowing him to pursue a 44-year broadcasting career, announcing traffic on Philadelphia radio stations including KYW Newsradio.

Brown has written a memoir entitled "Why Not?" -- detailing a childhood of surgeries and leg braces that did not stand in the way of achieving his radio dream.  He says his message is one of perseverance:

"No matter the disability -- whether you're born with it, whether you get it through an accident or you're a disabled vet -- that you can overcome any obstacle in front of you if you have the right attitude."

Brown says his optimism and determination carried him to a rewarding career.  Not bad, he says, for a kid who wasn't supposed to walk.