12 replies to this topic

[greatnessinc]

Story of Greatness: a tale of triumph and adversity

Many of you may remember this from the huddle, but I'll repost for the benefit of those who don't.

Life began simple as it usually does. Then about the time I turned 6, problems

started to occur; I would fall down and trip over my feet, then I lost the

ability to use my left arm. Well as it turned out, I had a cavernous angioma on

the base of my brain stem. Basically it's a clump of useless cells, well the one

I had was a little smaller than a golf ball. That clump of cells started to

pool blood, and that caused a stroke, which is what caused me to lose control

of my left side. I had brain surgery to remove the problem cells, but they

didn't get all of it and it eventually came back. By the time it came back, I

had already regained use of my left arm via physical therapy. Only to become

disabled again when the Cavernous Angioma resurfaced. This was absolutely

devisating to me, I decided to live my life one handed from that point on. Well

I had a supposedly non invasive surgery called Gamma Knife, to neutralize the

cavernous angioma. I say supposedly non invasive, because they screwed a box

into my skull to keep my head in place during the procedure. This one didn't

help much, and local neurologists didn't know what else to do so they told my

parents to just take me home make me comfortable and watch me die. This

obivously was not acceptable and my mother found a specialist in California. So

we set out to Stanford to meet the man who ultimately saved my life. This was

around the time I was 10 or 11 years old. The surgery was successful and

appears to be the last brain surgery I'll ever need. Recently, I looked up Dr.

Steinberg and sent him an email thanking him for everything he did; amazingly

enough he remembered who I was, even though we only met twice.
Since that surgery, I've taught myself how to do everything one handed. I do

many things with one hand that require two. I play video games, and live my

life one handed. In that respect, I'm the best at what I do. I fully intend to

create guides on how to successfully live a one handed life.
Presently, I'm about to finish college this summer and then it's the great job hunt.

[ChiefsChick23]

Great story, Greatness, thanks!

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

Awesome, greatness.

[Nov262]

In a world where so many people look for every excuse to whine and complain about every little thing, you have developed an attitude of humor and generosity. And you've got amazing artistic talent as well!

[Bru]

Your strength and determination should be an example for us all..Keep up the awesome work greatness!!

[greatnessinc]

Nov262, on Mar 19 2009, 09:06 PM, said:

In a world where so many people look for every excuse to whine and complain about every little thing, you have developed an attitude of humor and generosity. And you've got amazing artistic talent as well!

Oh I do my fair share of complaining, but none of it is related to my disability. Most of the stuff I complain about is pointless.
I was forced to mature very quickly as a child to adapt to my circumstances, so with that maturity I've learned to not sweat the unimportant things. Recently however, I've found I really don't have anything to complain about. All things considered, I actually have it pretty good and things could always be worse. I try to keep a sunny disposition. Thanks for the compliments.

Bru, on Mar 20 2009, 07:17 AM, said:

Your strength and determination should be an example for us all..Keep up the awesome work greatness!!

My story is meant to inspire people to be their best and never let life get you down. Thanks for the kind words .

[greatnessinc]

Just an update, I've finished college. In December I will have completed the prepress technician program as well, and will be certified in that. This semester I interned at Andrews McNeel Universal printing, we do the comics for papers all over. If I don't get hired there, I need to get my self a job elsewhere.

[NOLA]

greatnessinc, on 22 November 2009 - 09:50 PM, said:

Just an update, I've finished college. In December I will have completed the prepress technician program as well, and will be certified in that. This semester I interned at Andrews McNeel Universal printing, we do the comics for papers all over. If I don't get hired there, I need to get my self a job elsewhere.

Good luck, pal! Let us know how it goes!

[Dom]

Good luck man!

[greatnessinc]

The economy just had to collapse when I finished school.

[Nov262]

With your blend of talent, education, personality and determination, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding the right place for you.

Congrats and good luck!

[greatnessinc]

That's very kind of you to say. I only went to Jr College though, so my education isn't as great as say one from a university.
I spent too long just messing around without direction.