This story is really a true short story, because as a tbi sufferer I realize that the last thing your interested in is a long drawn out wounded duck story that cries out help me help me feel sorry for me I've really grown tired of hearing that.

It all started what for me was a dreadful night for me jun 3rd1997.You see, before my accident, I was a bit of an a**hole and I'd decided earlier that day to do some fishing and drink a lot of beer. I told my friends that I was celebrating my recent dumping of my latest girlfriend. I was really trying to drown my sorrow for giving up my first love a wonderful woman named Carol. Anyhow although I don't remember, I'm told that I consumed 24 beers or about that equivalent and then decided to go for a spin to table rock, a local hot spot with a great view. The only problem was that I was ten hundred sheets to the wind not just ten. Although my best friend tried to stop me from killing myself off I went like a fool bumbling down the road. Once I had arrived in Boise I went to one store after another picking up six packs of beer. Then I think I went to Carol's house and deposited beer cans on her lawn. Afterwards I was observed driving erratically by the local donut patrol and I then tried to allude the police by out driving them. I was then chased and attempted to flee. I thought I was in the clear when I struck a house at about 90mph. Quickly ending the chase and almost my life. After my drunken fiasco I arrived at ST. Alphonsis hospital in coma and remained unconscious for ten days. Once I awoke and recovered sufficiently, I was then sent to the V.A. hospital to begin my rehabilitation. Afterwards, I was then sent back to ST Alphonsus hospital for more intensive therapy. To this day, I'm going to rehab to recover all that I lost because of one stupid mistake. I had heard stories such as mine, but I thought it could never happen to me only it did and now I have to live with it the rest of my life and life is a long time it might as well be forever. My life is now filled with hurdles that I have to leap if I ever want to regain my independence. I've learned a great deal and I'm a changed person I'm no longer a thoughtless a**hole. I now take the time to consider my actions and what might result if I f***-up and hurt someone else or myself.

Now what? Well I'm slowly regaining the missing pieces but it's a lot of work. I have a long way to go before I can leave this wheelchair in the past, not to mention the pending charges and possible prison time which I will have to confront in the future. There is one bright spot that has appeared out of all of this.

I think I've met the woman of my dreams only time will tell if she will come to the same conclusion or if I'll be alone for the rest of my life. Now that I am disabled my chances are less than great but I have an ace yet to play. You see she thinks my feelings are due to my injury but I'm thirty years old and I know what love is and she has agreed to go out to dinner with me. That's when I'll attempt to win her heart and show my hand. Without tipping her off about the card up my sleeve. One way or another I intend to marry this woman and make her and myself happy.

I thank GOD I'm still alive everyday and for all the help I'm receiving to gather up all the tattered remains that were left after that dreadful night. And no I don't get down on my knees like a choirboy or go to church every Sunday to give the Lord my thanks. To me church is everywhere all the time anyway. I do believe God has done this to for a reason to give back to others instead of taking everything for myself and to show others that things could be a lot worse for them if they become careless and overlook the dangers in life. I often wonder if GOD is looking over everyone or just those who have lost their way. I was definitely lost in the dark without a clue which way was up or down. Now I have guides to show me the way. Someday I'll end up on top of the mountain with a wife at my side. My guides are of course mom+dad my brothers and sisters my best friend Dan and a myriad of other wonderful people who unlike the former me have my best interests at heart. Do you think GOD will grant me my wishes? Will I ever walk again? Will I marry the woman the GOD has put in front of me? I don't know the answers to those questions but I do know that things can only get better after the hell I've been through. Now only if others see things see same way I do it'll be cool. And maybe just maybe I'll have a good woman to share my life with. At this point you might be thinking this guy is crazy and he's headed for trouble again well you got me I may well be up a creek without a paddle, you're probable right I've been going the wrong direction since I was born. Hopefully this new development in my life will shed some light on my situation. After all of this sh** I can only guess what's next. Well, that's it. If you've reached any conclusions since reading this story and you want to reach me my e-mail address is
cbcleveland1@juno.com later dudes and dudettes