I am brain injured as a result of being struck by a van, driven by a drunken person,  after singing at a Muscular Dystrophy benefit during my senior year of high school in New York.  I underwent four brain surgeries within six months following the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to ease the hemiparysis before release from the hospital.  The procedures, occurring in Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, included 1) a craniotomy to remove the right frontal quadrant of my skull; 2)  removal of numerous subdural hematoma;  3)  exploratory brain surgery and 4)  installation of a methamethacrylate plate in my skull.

Once released from the hospital, Mother would walk me daily around the neighborhood - a wonderful compliment to the physical therapy I was undergoing.

Although I attended my senior year of high school via intercom for six months, I graduated with a #3 ranking in my class.  Too, I forfeited my appointment to the Air Force Academy and two 4-year military scholarships.  However, I attended Florida State University, earning a BSA in Business Administration in 1976.  ( I earned my MBA from Georgia State in 1980.) I was the front office manager of Perdido Bay Country Club for one year before moving to Atlanta to enjoy the "city life".  I was an assistant corporate credit manager (one of only twelve) for five years in the largest bank system in Georgia at that time.

I lived in Atlanta for seven years before tragedy struck again:  after a fall from the roof of the fifth house that I renovated I became paralyzed on the right side of my body.  After 3 1/2 ears of complete paralysis from the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), an international team of neurosurgeons at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida removed a 10 1/2" long Arnold Chiari Malformation, a benign brain tumor and two inches of neck vertebrae (December 23, 1987).

My life improved almost immediately, as I could walk again albeit with the assistance of a walker.  I utilized a walker for twenty-seven years.  Then for two years, I walked slowly and cautiously wearing leg braces.  Now I am utilizing a walker again, with a KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthotic).           

 Good Days and Bad Days 

Like most people, I have both negative and positive days. However, like most survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Acquired Brain Injury, I dwell on the positive and forget the negative.  (That is easily accomplished, as most of us with TBI and/or ABI have issues with short-term memory retrieval.) Negative days are so frustrating. Rest assured, I can easily manage a large "pity party" !   
More so, I am grateful: grateful to be alive, thankful to my family and friends, and, most assuredly, appreciative of the medical community.
Due to advances in the fields of psychiatry/psychology and neurology/neurosurgery, most of us with brain injuries can live happy, wholesome lives. Although I was diagnosed with (OAD) Organic Affective Disorder, (BD) Bipolar Disorder, ataxia and other dexterity issues and gait disturbance in 1987, I am still functioning!

On May 26, 2007, Dr. R.L. Harned of White-Wilson Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, Florida advised me that Type II diabetes was no longer present in my thyroid, lymph nodes, pancreas,gall bladder, etc.!  Research is still conducted as to how that cure became possible.

 

My Activities of Living

In 1995, I began volunteering with Friends of the Disabled in Pensacola, Florida as Executive Liaison, an agency devoted to helping the disabled to have the ability.  I was also CoEditor of the newsletter.   In 1997, the Pensacola News Journal featured my life story in a full-page article entitled, "Inspiring by Example."   Eventually, I was promoted to Chief Advisor  and then selected as CoDirector of the Agency.  I finally resigned in 2010, ironically succumbing to physical disabilities. 

 
Decades after graduation from Florida State University, I was honored by  a Doctorate from Summit University for "...triumphant courage in rehabilitation and dedication to community causes...".   During the Year 1997, I was awarded the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge gold medal.   In 1997, I was featured twice  in "Angels in our Midst" on WEAR-TV3 (Pensacola, Florida), for my volunteership with Friends of the Disabled, Inc.  

Despite the severe speech impediment and gait disturbance, I was with OASIS (Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services) as Advocate from 2005-2013.   Too, I was Vice President of Brain Injury Connection, the local support group for victims of Traumatic Brain Injury and editor of the "BrainWaves" newsletter from 2006-10.  I enjoyed going places with friends, especially shopping and dining in fine restaurants.  I did Yoga, Pilates and Hip Hop Abs, too, in an adaptive manner, until an unsuccessful TKR (Total Knee Replacement) prevented such.

Then, in late 2011, I was referred to Dr. Mark J. Tenholder, MD, of Orthopedic Associates in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  He performed a knee revision, quad muscle reattachment and scar revision on the left knee that year.  Once again, I can now practice Yoga and walk comfortably, wearing a KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthotic) on the right leg.  Dr Tenholder and his staff epitomize the quality and care offered by those in the medical profession.  In late 2014, I began again as Advocate/Editor for OASIS: that was  my vocation until recently.

I've received letters of note from Elizabeth Taylor, US Presidents and First Ladies, governors, congressional representatives and have had numerous newspaper articles written about me. I've received many awards for volunteer service. I received a New Year's Day 2011 card from the Obama's, email from LaDonna Adrian Gaines ("Donna Summer") until her death in 2012, and am Facebook friends with JoAnne Angelina Germanotta ("Lady Gaga") and Disanto Diaz among others. 

However, please don't be fooled by all of the pleasantries to come my way.  There have been numerous relapses/hospitalizations for suicidal ideations and/or behaviors in both Baptist Hospital of Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.    Fortunately, I have excellent follow-up care for most psychiatric issues at Soundside Wellness Center, Inc., also located in Fort Walton Beach.  I have wonderful primary and neurological care in Fort Walton Beach, too, at White-Wilson Clinic.

I am forever thankful to the U.S. Air Force and the opportunity awarded to travel worldwide as a dependent. Through those years, I lived in New York, California, Mississippi, several cities in Florida, Alabama and Germany. I've visited most U.S. states and all of western Europe.  In late 2010, I became a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #235 (Fort Walton Beach, Florida), proudly serving God, country and humanity.  I was web  designer and editor of the SAL newsletter now, keeping my creative writing aspirations content.  On March 12, 2012 I joined Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach.  Trinity is a missions-minded church, earnestly serving the local, national and international communities.  TUMC is "a place of uncondtional love...offering healing, help and hope" to all people.

I was also the web designer and publisher for the Republican Club in Okaloosa County, Florida.  The GOP realizes that my challenges are not debilitating.  They accept my severe speech impediment and physical challenges. The GOP realizes that I may contribute good to the world through my abilities with computers.

On April 5, 2014, at the invitation of Mother and Deacon Mike, and especially those five timeless words uttered from the lips of Pope Francis I ("Who am I to judge?"), I rejoined the Catholic Church.  After  forty+ years of absence, I was welcomed home to Catholicism.  

In August 2016, I was honored by acceptance into the International Exchange Alumni operated by the State Department.

Although my father is now deceased, I am forever indebted to the love and patience of each family member.  However, I owe almost all of my wellbeing since 11.19.1972 (the date of the van/pedestrian accident) to Mom:  the solid foundation of my family.

Yes, God does perform miracles!  I know because I am living proof.

 

PLEASE NOTE 

I am forever indebted to Salvatore, Rob. Susan, Mark, Andrew, Cherisse and Regina my therapists at Gentiva (now Kindred). Salvatore miraculously rehabilitated me so that I no longer needed the wheelchair, after a tech at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center injected  me with succinylcholine - causing 8 1/2 months total paralysis.

Mark has been my physical therapist for approximately 8 years now, and Rob has me approved to walk unescorted (approx.)1/4 mile daily.  Not to be forgotten are my two speech therapists, Christy and Victoria.  Although I have the incurable impediment of ataxic dysarthria, they haev drilled me in inflection and enunciation - making  my speech easier to understand.

I owe much of my mental well-being to Dr. Khan of Soundside Wellness Center.  He is well-trained in neuropsychiatry and has successfully prescribed the correct medication for my bipolar disorder and Organic Affective Disorder, where other doctors have not.  They "loaded me up" with anti-depressants, often causing suicidal ideations/behaviors and frequent hospitalizations.

Dr. Reed L. Harned transferred his practice of Internal Medicine to White-Wilson Clinic - Destin, Florida in early 2017.  I followed him there as a patient:  I appreciate his kind manner and keeping abreast of the latest in medical technologies and interventions.

In late 2016, Dr. Ouellette quit his neurology practice at White-Wilson Clinic. In 2017, I became a neurological patient of  Fred E. Aubert of White-Wilson Clinic - Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  AWESOME !!! He guided me through recovery of the brain concussion that I  endured on 2.22.2017 (by falling directly on my back, landing on the concrete porch.  Too, in may 2017, Dr. Aubert adjusted my medication routine, and I feel great now!  ...no more sluggishness, "humped over my walker", falling asleep in he afternoons and then again by 7pm in the evening, etc.  

What a difference !!!

...11-17-2017:  had a checkup today with my primary care physician, Reed L. Harned, MD.  He stated that I am doing, "Fabulous!"  

This weekend is the 45th observance of the van/pedestrian accident that left  me unconscious for six weeks, paralyzed completely for 3 1/2 and required 5 brain operations to keeps me alive.

On November 19, 1972 neurosurgeons told my parents that I'd never live to be 18 years-old.   Then on December 23, 1987, after the 5th brain surgery, neurosurgeons stated that I would be on a gurney for the remainder of my life,with a feeding tube and unable to speak.

Today (11.17.2017), I am walking (albeit with a walker),speaking (although I have ataxic disarthria), and weigh a healthy 170 pounds.

(2.7.2018)...checkup with my neurologist, Dr. Fred  E. Aubert: after a thorough neuro exam, Dr. Aubert had only one word to say about my condition, "Great !!!"

Many thanks to neurosurgeons, doctors, psychiatrists, endocrinologists (yes: my diabetes is cured: it's not in remission - there's no sign of it in my body), and countless others.

However, I am indebted to my mother - more so than most of us are:  Mom, I love you !

Make the most of life !!!

 

 

Patrick O'Neill is in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

11-27-2017: Tomorrow is my last day with OASIS (Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services) as Advocate/Editor. Thank you for letting me serve the HIV/AIDS community for 12+ years.

 

At age 63, I am officially retired after serving as a paperboy (ages 8-13: morning and evening routes); a church organist (ages 13-22); a hotel auditor and front office manager: Perdido Bay Country Club; the Holiday Inn; the Marriott Hotel; the Hilton Hotel; corporate credit manager at Trust Company Bank for seven years; Executive Liaison, Chief Advisor and Co-Director of Friends of the Disabled for a total of seventeen years; Vice-President of Brain Injury Connection for 6 years and, finally, as Advocate/Editor of OASIS, I am ready for the next challenge!

In February 2018, I was nominated to be listed in "Who's Who of Executives & Professionals" in the world:  what an honor !!!

 

 

 

 

 Easter Season 2018:  now I am editing monthly newsletters for two Catholic parishes in Northcentral Florida.  ...doing some of God's work in retirement !

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Spring 2018:    ...became the Editor for Brain Injury Connection, a volunteer position , here, in Okaloosa County thru Summer 2018.

 

 

May 2018:  ...saw my primary physician (Dr. Reed L. Harned, M.D.):  don't need another check-up for another year !.. Obviously, this is due, mostly, to the fantastic care and love received from Mom and the family.

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Summer 2018 - present:  Editor for Friends of the Disabled, Inc.

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February 12, 2019:  appointment with my neurologist, Dr. Aubert. He called me the "Miracle Man" after all the events I had gone through in the year since I  saw him last (See info on "Medical History" tab.)

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