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I know who I am
I know what I want
I know what I like
I like what I know
My name is John, aka, Johnny, a paisano who was born and bred in the Bronx, but has lived the majority of his adult life in Southern California. I left the Bronx in ’79 at the age of 19, to attend college at Texas at UT El Paso where I studied Civil Engineering. I was then recruited out to Southern California to work as an Engineer for Texaco. After two years, strange things starting happening to my body. A year later, 1985, at the age of 27 was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As MS is typically a slow progressive disease, I managed to continue working for another 12 years and at the age of 39 in 1997 went on long-term disability. I've since used a scooter to ambulate and deal with other physical symptoms on a daily basis. But, honestly, I have adapted quite well to my learned lifestyle. I remain totally independent to this day and my dependence would have to be ripped out of my dying hands for me to give it up. For this I thank God for giving me strength and faith, and my Mom and Dad for teaching me to be resourceful, independent and a fighter.
On a personal note, I have been divorced since 2002 and for this, I suspect that the MS played a major role. But I have no regrets because as a result of that marriage I have two of the most loving, caring and understanding children that a man could ever be blessed with. For this I thank my MS because it gave me the rare opportunity to be a stay-at-home dad for the first 11 years of my children’s lives by being on long-term disability. We developed a bond that most men can’t fully appreciate. And since being divorced and unattached, I have been able for the last 3 years to spend 3 or 4 months out of the year visiting with my Mom and family in New York. A blessing in disguise since I had left home at the age of 19 and am now able to spend quality time with her and the rest of my family in the later years of life. So the MS has closed one door but has opened another, and for these reasons, I am truly thankful. Since I lost my Dad in '95 while living in Ca and being involved with work and my own family I unfortunately and regretably was never able to recapture our lost years since leaving home at 19 yrs old.....Well, that’s me in a nutshell. If you’re at all curious for more, don’t hesitate to ask….
for the symptomatic treatment of MS. In my case, anyway...
My fave baby girl perfume ;)
Me and Ali hit the streets of Anaheim Hills..July 09
Me and my children - July 08
My First Car - 1985 Fiat Spyder
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