I became a widow in 2000 when I lost my soul mate and life partner,Tim, to Non-Hodgkins Brain Lymphoma. I graduated high school with honors(7th in a class of nearly 800), and received a Regents Scholarship for four years in any New York State School. I went to SUNY Stony Brook, studying fine art and psychology, but left school when I began to agonize over my sexuality. After coming to terms with myself, I had a few jobs, always promoted. I worked in direct mail as an account supervisor at 19, until I moved to Florida, working briefly in retail and fine jewelry until I joined the staff of a seafood restaurant on Tampa Bay, where I was promoted to Assistant Kitchen Manager within a year. After three years, I moved back to New York(wanting to be an actor), waiting tables and taking classes, until I moved back home and worked construction with my dad and brothers until I became disabled in 1987. I had contracted the HIV virus in 1980 and became ill in '87. After six months, I was well enough again to work, so I moved to my parents' homeland in Somerset, renting to own a rehabbed 1860 farm house(where my parents now live), and co-ran a dairy goat farm and goat cheese company, "Spirit Path Farms" with my friend, cousin, and all-around co-spirit, Joanne Miller nee Coleman. One of the best times of my life. I then worked with an AIDS organization with direct care, then with AT-RISK YOUTH through Johnstown's Juvenile Probation Department. On September 11, 2001, tragedy struck us all when Saudi Terrorists struck the very soul of America; dropping four airliners into The World Trade Center in New York(where I waited tables myself at the famed "Windows of the World" at the top of Tower 1, in the late 1970's), The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in Shanksville, PA, Somerset County( at the time I was living in Johnstown). Having connections to two of the three targets, I was privileged to work with the Red Cross at the Shanksville crash site, doling out hot drinks , food and solace to the press corps, the recovery workers and family of the crash victims. I was blessed to have been able to work through some of the horror and grief we all felt, along with the helplessness we all experienced. After giving PA fifteen years of my life, in 2003-2004, I moved back to the bosom of my siblings and the land of my birth, Long Island, NY where I worked new home and remodel construction with my older brother, John. I then began my own custom painting and furniture making business until I was stricken with unbelievable agonies as a result of being rear-ended by a car carrier semi in 2000, deeply worsening an already wrecked spine. What I was to find out in 2005 was that I had been born with a combination of birth defects: an Arnold Chiari Type I Malformation, Tethered Cord Syndrome, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome, and Eagle Syndrome; all having strong genetic origins. They are recessive traits, which can be passed from parents to children. The Chiari and Tethered Cord disorders, along with Ehler-Danlos, can be ticking time-bombs, as they may lie dormant for decades, popping up in one's fourties and fifties, as a result of normal wear and tear, occupational or whiplash type injury. Or they may be obvious from birth, or as a child goes through its early growth periods. Again, there may be a strong genetic tie, from either or both sides of the family, and may be misdiagnosed for decades as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Migraines, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Gulf War Illness, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Chemical or Environmental Illness, or Psychiatric Malingering( "It's all in your head!"), among others. I include this info because of its genetic components. I can provide links or agencies where you can find out more about these issues. I would be more than glad to assist anyone with questions or referrals. After three surgeries and 5+ years of agony and convalescence, I'm finally coming back to life, and enjoying my middle age. I plan to get back into art(painting), am walking, cycling, growing in spirit again, and starting all over once more.

In November, I am planning to get an on-line accreditation for Desktop Publishing through SUNY Empire State, and develop a later life career in print advertising, web development and graphic design.