One Year Anniversary!!

Hi Everyone! Everyone who is still reading this site anyway...which probably isn't many. I am here. Monday, January 30th is my one year anniversary from my accident!! I have come so so far as many of you are aware of. I am compensating for my lack of sight and hearing, depth of field, directional hearing, slow cognitive functions, equilibrium problems, short term memory loss, back pain and more!

It's just remarkable how far I've come, especially to me. I am hiking, and even trail running a little, playing tennis whenever I can, working out at the gym, riding the stationary bike, cleaning house, doing laundry, playing with my little one, cooking, a little gardening, taking out trash, moving things around, grocery shopping (OK, I admit Melissa still does most of this!) and so many other tasks I couldn't really of imagined doing a year ago.

I am shooting photo jobs part time as I get them. I just started College of Marin with 2 classes and a lab (Medical Terminology and Biology 110 and lab) 2 days a week to start the journey towards becoming a Registered Nurse. I am paying our bills (logistically...Melissa is still making most of the money....sometimes all of it!), managing the medical bills, selling our Mercedes, my bikes, some office furniture and cameras, I'm working at Evan's Pre-School on Fridays, I'm still looking for part-time work, and trying to have dinner on the table, and the candles lit, the fireplace going, and the house clean each night for my wonderful wife and kids. They have really been so much support. Melissa is working so hard, and has all along, to compensate for the income and physical loss from my accident, and has done such a great job. I really owe my life, my love, my heart and soul to that women! She is my angel. Physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially she has been there 150 percent, and I am grateful beyond words. It is simply a life blessing to be her husband, and her my wife.

The other angels in my life have been my moms. That would be my mom, and Melissa's mom. They have been there 150 percent all along the way as well. Emotional support, as well as spiritual...and some finanicial, has all meant the world to me and my faimily. They have helped me keep site of the bigger picture, of being alive, being relatively functional, and supported by all, as well as encouraging me to keep eating 'my elephant' one bite at a time.

I'll spend the rest of my life, and theirs, trying to repay them in whatever ways I can. I am so grateful to everyone that has helped and supported me, called me, written me, sent gifts and financial help, gone on walks, and visited me over the past year. You all know who you are, and trust me, even with the brain injury, I do too!

Guapo, Mike & Melissa, Gary & Chantal, Kate & Chuck, Jeff & Rebecca, Marvin & Ann, Elaine Cramer, Dennis & Denise, Valerie & Tim, Carsten & Gail, Bob K, Mani, Will, Brian, Shawna, Al & Peggy, Jan, Jean, Harriot, Matt, Jen, Bill, Margot, Doug, Lise, Matt & Janet, Laura & Greg, Michelle & Tommy, Jonny R, Cathy & Bruce, Tom & Beth, Margaret & Alan, Rabbi Michael & Noa Lezak, Rabbi Staci Freedman, Moji, Doreen, Tim H., Ray, Katie K, Gwynne, JP & Joan, Franck, Dick C, Larry M, Curt & Rebecca, Wally & Claire, Chris & Debbie, Adrian H, Ann Segerstrom, Paula, Victoria Yee, David White, Betti Castro, Al Baum, Julianna Carlsen, Andy Brown, Jonny R, Ed & Candice, Gary Kern, Mitch Feinberg, Chris & Joselyn, Hank, Jeff Kausch, Rob & Kate, Eric R, Jim Taskett, Martin & Tony at Sunshine Bikes, Julia @ Gravy Wheels, Debbie and crew @ MCBC, Calanchini Family, Carol Fones, San Anselmo Co-op Parents, Rodef Sholom congregants, Manor School parents, SFPFS, APA, Red Dot Staff, Sheila Kelly, all my doctors (and there are a lot), and nurses, and hospital staff who all nursed me back to health, I am so grateful for.

I'm sure I forgot someone important, so please don't take it personally! This was a major cognitive success getting this many people's name down! There were many more....amazingly...who helped me over the past year and please forgive me and I thankyou....and good night!!!....just kidding!

Thanks again for all your support and love and kindness. I'm not sure I'll keep this site up past it's due date, which is coming up in the next week or so. Please keep in touch. It really does change things, and is appreciated and makes a difference. I'll keep livin' in the moment, best I can, and hope to see you all doing the same, for many many years to come out on the road of life. Not by bike though!! Let's walk, or kayak, or swim, anything that doesn't recomend a helmet!!!!...and is far away from the traffic!!!!!!!!

Lots of love,

Mark
BEFORE
AFTER
AND NOW!

Comments

[Katie Kelly]

I'll never forget that fateful e-mail I got, sitting there in Cafe Aroma, and how sick I felt in my stomach and how I cried right there, in front of everyone. I tuned to this site early every day. I'm so glad you're alive, Mark. I'm just so glad we're all alive. Thanks for waking a bunch of us up. But DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!

xoxox,
Katie

[Gary Matoso]

Markus,

Well at this point it may sound like a cliché but you and Melissa and your friends and family have truly been an inspiration.

It's hard to believe that it was only a year ago that we received the awful news that you had been in an accident and were struggling to come to terms with the fact that you might not make it. It was amazing to see the out pouring of love and emotion during those first few weeks and how through this horrible accident all these people who didn’t necessarily know each other before, became very connected through their love and concern for you.

Thank God you did make it, and that you’ve come so far in this last year. In fact, you look so good and sound so good and your attitude is as always so positive, it's easy to forget (and hard to imagine) living with the vision and hearing problems that you are dealing with every day. I try to remember that.

I can only look forward to this next year and learning what remarkable new things you will be up to and following your experiences with nursing.

Lots of love to you Melissa, Julia and Evan from all of us in Paris.

[Jim Wilson]

Mark,

You've come a long way! Your story is an inspiration! Best wishes for 2006!