Currently I am a male 46 years of age. On November 12, 1995, at the age of 42, while working for the New York City Emergency Medical Service as the Deputy Chief of the Borough of Queens, I was responding to a 911 assignment at Kennedy airport. While driving down Cross Bay Boulevard, my car went through a large amount of water and hydroplaned and struck two trees. When I was found, I was unconscious and the paramedics had to intubate me. I don't recall how long I was in a coma; my guess is 3 weeks to I month.
When I first awoke from my coma, I had no idea why I was were I was. It was then explained to me that I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. I then looked around and saw my wife and daughter. I remained in the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at Jamaica Medical center for 3 months. I was told I would be going through some different stages. I was further told I was a very nasty person by my wife, who also told me that if I didn't like someone, I'd push or even strike him or her. In my head I knew that was not me, I was always calm, polite and caring. I then spoke to someone who told me it was a stage I was going through. I had to accept that, but it bothered me a lot.
After a couple of days or weeks, I requested to see my two daughters, because I wanted to live for them, you can never replace daddy, and I love my daughters. I remember lying in my hospital bed with pictures of my daughters. I also remember calling them on the telephone regardless of time of day; I just wanted to hear their voice. I give those girls all the credit in the world for giving me the will power to live.
I must not forget Jamaica Hospital who really saved my life and taught me how to walk, talk, and use a walker and wheelchair. Those items disturbed me and gave me the power to get up out of bed and walk myself, yet it was hard but I didn't want to be an invalid, I was too young. I also remember walking around the TBI unit with my daughters and showing them off to every nurse I could find.
It is amazing that I remember only things that were told to me from family, friends and my neurosurgeon. Today, I can talk about the accident and what I went through and laugh. Because I am a survivor and I cheated death with the help of course of the traumatic brain injury ward at the hospital and all the fantastic doctors and nurses.