Coming to television this Saturday, Feb. 7th, at 8 p.m. (ET) on TNT is the story of Dr. Ben Carson, an exeptional surgeon played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in 'Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.'

For those not familiar with his story, Carson is a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center for nearly a quarter of a century.

Carson grew up in a single-parent home in dire poverty. He had poor grades, a horrible temper and low self-esteem. With the support of his mother, however, he worked hard and achieved extraordinary success in the medical field. Last year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Carson recently spoke to Black Voices about having a film made about his life.

Did you ever think a movie would be made about you?

Dr. Ben Carson: Yes. I had been talking to different movie producers for the last 12 to 15 years. They wanted to do a movie, but I could never develop the level of confidence with them because they believed in artistic license, and I didn't believe in that. I knew it would happen at the right time.

After it's all said and done, was there any artistic license in the film?

Dr. Ben Carson: No, it's pretty accurate. The main license was switching around the order of some things that occurred in order to make it flow well and fit into a 90-minute slot. Other than that, it's pretty accurate.

When you first heard that someone wanted to make a film about your life, what were your thoughts?

Dr. Ben Carson: I wasn't that excited about it when I first got the call. I wasn't excited about having a movie made while I was still in the prime of my career. Now that I am at the end of my career, with the average surgeon retiring at 55 and I'm 57, it's much more reasonable now.

What did you think of Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s performance?

Dr. Ben Carson: I though he was terrific. He showed a lot of emotion. He said that he felt a calling to do this. It's pretty unusual for a big-screen actor to do something for television.

Did you have any input in terms of casting?

Dr. Ben Carson: I had veto power.

Was Cuba your first choice?

Dr. Ben Carson: Of the people that were on the list, I liked him the most because he's a man with strong family values. He has many beliefs similar to me, so I thought he was a terrific choice.

From what I read of your background and saw in the film, you overcame a lot of adversity. What kept you striving for success?

Dr. Ben Carson: Well, I was consistently told by my mother how good I was, and that I really shouldn't settle for anything except the best. That started to drive me. Not so much comparing myself to anyone else, but asking myself, "Am I doing the best that I can do?" Whenever the answer was no, then I had to strive some more.

Where was your brother Curtis throughout the film process? His character was shown in the beginning of the film when you were kids, but then we don't see much of him when we get to your adulthood?

Dr. Ben Carson: Once he went off to college, our lives diverged. He lives in Atlanta now. He's an aeronautical and electronic engineer and his wife is a physician. They just got back a couple of weeks ago from a trip to the Amazon. He's doing very well. One of the reasons that should be brought up is that some people look at my situation and they think it's some sort of a fluke, but my brother also turned out to be a successful person.

In looking back at your career, where do you think it started for you, the need to be successful?

Dr. Ben Carson: Probably that day in school when I answered the question about the rock, and no one else knew the answer including all the kids that I had looked up to and thought were really smart. I realized that the thing that separated me from them was that I had been reading those books. It dawned on me at that moment that I could be smart in any area if I read those books. From that point on, no book was safe in my grasp. Every time people saw me, I was reading a book. That was a major turning point.

Was it your decision to show some of your saddest days on camera?

Dr. Ben Carson: It was part of the book, and the script was written based on it. I probably wouldn't have necessarily written that into a 90-minute script. I think the reason they wanted to put that into the film was to show identity with the people who had twins.

How thrilled were you to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year?

Dr. Ben Carson: When I got the call, I wasn't sure they were looking for me. There are so many other people who have achieved more than I have, but it's a wonderful experience. I was so thrilled that it happened while my mother is still alive and could be there and my kids. To receive that recognition, and I don't know if deserve it, but it's wonderful.

What advice do you give to those who want to follow your field of practice?

Dr. Ben Carson: I will generally tell them to make sure that they are well suited for whatever is that they want to do. Study that field and identify the characteristics that successful people in it have. In other words, choose a field in which you have particular gifts and talent.

In the book, as well as in the film, God is a big presence in your life? Why so?

Dr. Ben Carson: I've seen what he can do. For instance, at the age of 14, I tried to stab someone. He had a metal belt buckle right where the knife went and nothing happened, which had a profound effect on the rest of my life. That very day, I locked myself in the bathroom, thinking about what happened and praying that I had a bible there. There was, and I opened to the book of Proverbs and read all these verses about anger and what it does to you, and how there is no point in getting angry over troubles. I remember reading the line, "A man who can control his temper is mightier than a man who can conquer a city." I came to an understanding of what anger was and how to extract yourself from it. My life changed that day, and I've never had a problem with anger since that time. That told me that God was real. There have been so many other things that have happened in my life and, yes, I have had a good life, but I know me. I'm that same kid from the 5th grade, and I'm someone who asks God for wisdom and listens to him, and that makes a difference.

Of all the successes you've had, which do appreciate the most?

Dr. Ben Carson: Probably the ability to start a scholarship fund. You probably read in the book that it was a goal of mine. It's in 26 states now, and we have around 3,400 scholars, all incredibly bright people from all backgrounds across the nation. To have that program flourishing and growing before my life ends. I would like it in every school system in this nation to maintain the leadership we have in the world.

What's a good reason for folks to tune in to your story?

Dr. Ben Carson: The key reason is for people to recognize how much potential exists within each individual and how it needs to be cultivated by that individual by making the right choices and putting in the effort. We live in an instant-gratification world where everyone thinks success should come quickly. No, you have to work at it. But we have these dreams that give us the idea to plan ahead five, 10, 15 years down the line and to create a pamphlet that allow us to achieve those dreams.