Michael
One of my ancestors was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. I was born in New York and grew up partly in Hawaii after being adopted by an uncle who was stationed in Hawaii and California. My uncle flew 75 sorties in World War II. My aunt and uncle later retired to a farm in upstate Pennsylvania, where I attended high school. I helped with the sheep and collected eggs on the farm.
After high school I joined the Job Corps and trained people for various jobs. Interested in politics, I moved to San Francisco and worked for the Democratic Party. I worked in a professional position and was in charge of sending people to each precinct to get out the vote. I knew many political figures in California and married a woman who was on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. When single again, I met Carolann Straubinger there in the late 60s.
In 1985, in a horrific motorcycle accident, I was thrown 40 feet in the air and was in a coma for 12 days. I had emergency brain surgery and survived. Following my recovery I worked at the San Francisco Stock Exchange, but had difficulty because of my head trauma. After that I kept moving around and was sometimes homeless. Carolann found out about my situation from a mutual friend. At that time, Carolann was working on the floor at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. She had room in her house and brought me here in 1992, having been friends for many years in California.
She took me to Bryn Mawr Rehab, where I was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. She arranged services for me and installed me in her separate mother-in-law apartment. Carolann and I began going to the pool at the Y for therapeutic water aerobics. I enjoy the companionship of the people at the pool. I read quite a bit, including a daily newspaper, and I chat with passing neighbors as I sit on my patio.
After high school I joined the Job Corps and trained people for various jobs. Interested in politics, I moved to San Francisco and worked for the Democratic Party. I worked in a professional position and was in charge of sending people to each precinct to get out the vote. I knew many political figures in California and married a woman who was on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. When single again, I met Carolann Straubinger there in the late 60s.
In 1985, in a horrific motorcycle accident, I was thrown 40 feet in the air and was in a coma for 12 days. I had emergency brain surgery and survived. Following my recovery I worked at the San Francisco Stock Exchange, but had difficulty because of my head trauma. After that I kept moving around and was sometimes homeless. Carolann found out about my situation from a mutual friend. At that time, Carolann was working on the floor at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. She had room in her house and brought me here in 1992, having been friends for many years in California.
She took me to Bryn Mawr Rehab, where I was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. She arranged services for me and installed me in her separate mother-in-law apartment. Carolann and I began going to the pool at the Y for therapeutic water aerobics. I enjoy the companionship of the people at the pool. I read quite a bit, including a daily newspaper, and I chat with passing neighbors as I sit on my patio.
