I had my stroke in December, 2017, while at home after a day's work. Fortunately, my son, who was living with me sensed that something was wrong and called 911; between ambulance rides and helicopter flights I found myself at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, part of the National Institute for Health. Following Brain Surgery to address, fully, the clot in my head. I was a patient at NRH/NIH for a few months and then began living with my brother and his wife.

I was lucky; my son's swift reaction to call for help started me on a journey where quick intervention meant that I did not suffer any significant mental or physical deficits. In addition, I was also lucky because several of my nurses introduced me to the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC) and its various programs to assist in getting back or retaining cognitive skills that had served me so well as a practicing Attorney and Privacy Officer for Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security. I have since retired from DHS/CBP and now spend more of my time pursuing my continued recovery with SCC.

I also like to cook, hence the image of some Cioppino, my favorite meal.