On the day of 9-13-92 I was a business manager and college student. That evening I was comatose from a freeway accident where I flew 80 feet and landed on my head. When I awoke and spoke 5 weeks later, I was an unemployed dropout, my plans for pursuing a Ph.D. in astronomy as scrambled as my brains. My left side paralyzed from right brain hemmorrhages, I didn't propel my wheelchair properly (backwards with my right foot).

My short-term memory was good for maybe 2 minutes on my release Dec. 18. I needed constant supervision. In 1995 I became a loner living by myself, my short-term having improved so much.

I've collected disability and walked with quad cane since Feb. 1993. My thinking skills remain poor. By playing video games and watching TV (learning to follow the plots on sitcoms and sci-fi) my memory is almost normal--I do have problems noting small, but important, details.

I spend most of my time with the TV--cable, VCR, video games and the internet on Web TV. I took time out from my busy schedule to have this picture taken on 1-15-97.

In January, 1998, I thought to contact an old physics professor, who had visited me in the hospital 5 years before, to let him know I was fine. He followed my homepage links and, well, thought it was great! The college was looking for someone to maintain their "Teachers" site.

Therefore, he showed my letter to the Dean, who looked at my pages and offered me the job! Web TV cannot use their "Front Page" program, so dad bought me a computer. I was petrified, but thrilled. As it turns out, I am learning! And remembering!

I still collect disability, as I don't make very much money...but I'm DOING SOMETHING! Yes, I have gone from a "vegetable" prognosis, to a productive member of society.

Signed,
D.A. (Dizzy Anne) in Springfield, MO

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