Hey Everyone,
I posted a new video, you can check it out over in the video section.
Also, just an FYI, I’m working on re-posting the “Stairway” video as youtube marked it for copyright violation.
As always, comments are welcome.
Thanks

I recently had the occasion to think about my father. To those of you who visit the site and don’t know, he passed away when I was in high school.  And while I would give anything to have him back, I can’t help but ruminate on the positive things that have happened to me as a result of seeking, and finding, various father figures throughout my life. Four come to mind:

Bob Gargulia. Bob and my father were doubles partners. They both had a similar “deceptive presentation” on the court. They also shared a wonderful sense of humor. Months before my father became sick, as a gift, he had purchased me a week at the Nick Bolitary tennis academy. We were to go together, father and son. Unfortunately, by the time the trip came around, he was just too weak. So I went with Bob. I’ll never forget cruising the Florida highways, top down, listening to Muddy Waters, trading stories about my dad and laughing. I could have spent that time being depressed, wishing I was there with my dad, who was dying a chemical death some 1000 miles away. But it’s not what he would have wanted, so Bob didn’t let it happen. He helped me to realize that even in the toughest of times, when it feels like your circumstances are holding you captive, a smile will set you free.

Dennis Erani. Dennis and my father also played tennis together. My sister, Elizabeth, was nanny to his two children for some time and I could, on occasion, be found sweeping his tennis court.  The summer after my sophomore year in college I was obsessed with making money. I was working three jobs, sometimes four and running myself ragged. Dennis saw this and one day he pulled me aside and sat me down. He said “Rob, why are you doing this to yourself?” and I responded, ”Dennis, I want to be rich!”. He smiled with a smile I’ve seen too many times in my life, that smile that says “Ohh Robbie, you’ve got it all wrong…” He asked ”Can I give you a piece of advice?” “Sure”, I responded. “Rob, Family is the key. Build a family that you love and love the people around you. That is real wealth. Everything else will fall into place.” Years later, Dennis would make another connection for me that would profoundly change the direction of my life. Dennis and Bob have both come to visit me several times since my accident, and each time they have brought with them fond memories of my father and the support and guidance that I would have received from him, were he still here.

Walter Zielenski. After I graduated college I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do.  So, I went to see Dennis and he connected me with Walter Zielenski. Walter runs a small software development firm and was doing some work for Dennis at the time.  I knew nothing about writing code, but Walter decided to take a chance. I spent the next several years drinking from the fire hose that was Walter’s shadow, developing my skills as a programmer and cultivating the seeds of business acumen.  Walter was a pleasure to work with, but he also played no small role in the development of my personal life. He helped me realize what a catch I had with Mandy and was there when I proposed to her. Not literally there, for those of you who know THAT story, but we were on vacation together and he helped me pick out the ring. He was with me when I bought my first house, conveniently enough a stones throw from his own. Over the years he has helped me to shoulder some of the greatest responsibilities of my life, which in my opinion, have helped enabled me to shoulder this injury.

Wayne Richmond. Oh Wayne. The irony of Wayne is that we called him El Diablo, but he really has been more like a Shepard. I met Wayne through Walter and we were instant friends. We both lived in Hoboken, about a block way from one another.  I can remember vividly a conversation with Wayne at the Mile Square restaurant in 2001. I had just spent about 30 minutes outlining how the remainder of my life was to proceed. From where I would live to what I would be doing, how I would get there, when I would go…everything. And when I finished, Wayne looked at me and smiled (yes, that same aforementioned smile). And I said “Hey, what’s so funny?” And he replied “Rob, you would be laughing too if you knew how different your future will be then what you think.” Talk about your nail on the head! Wayne and I continued to become better friends, and despite having sworn off the concept of marriage, he stood with me the day I married Mandy. On a side note, Wayne is now married with a beautiful wife and daughter so Hah! El Diablo, God plays dice with us all!

These have been some of the salient moments in my life. And while no one could ever replace my father, thanks to these moments and these men, I feel like no one would ever have to.

With that said, here is what’s been going on since my last post. I got a van!!! I’ve been trained with hand controls and have been tooling around northern Virginia for practice. I’m posting some pictures in the photo gallery. I also think I’ve found a PT to work with. She’s familiar with SCI’s and used to work at the NRH, but left to start her own practice in Annandale, VA. I’ll let you know how that works out.  Anyway, this was a long one so I’m going to cut it off there, thanks for checking in.