At around this time exactly a year ago I would’ve been in an accident. I would’ve fallen off my bike and been rushed to a hospital. Upon arrival, I would’ve baffled doctors with years of surgical experience who could only hope for the best. It would’ve seemed my life and that of those who cared for me would forever change. But today, I’m not a vegetable, I’m not paralyzed, I haven’t lost a limb, I’m not blind, and I don’t have depression of any sort- all very close possibilities. Instead, I have lived out in perfect health a year of life I very well should not have had. Because I don’t have any permanent disabilities, at times it’s difficult to remember that I was ever in an accident. What reminds me, more so than a mirror, is my amazing network of friends and family. It’s hard to look at you and remember what you did without seeing my heroes. Heroes who without your comfort and encouragement the depression might very well have set in. Heroes who without your prayers I might have been paralyzed or worse. It is to you and God that I owe my well being. To: ……… -First and foremost all my family who carried me every step of the way. My mom and dad who stayed in the hospital and put up with me every day for 3 months and are still now a constant source of encouragement. My sister Ana who always knew what I needed most and sympathized endlessly. My cousin Raluca who took time out of her life as a resident doctor in NY to come and comfort me. All my family in Romania who I’m sure constantly prayed. And then the ones who are practically family: Andrei and his family and Nick Torrisi and his family who actually needed to be disguised as family so they could maintain their obsessive presence in my hospital room after visiting hours. You two guys were there so often, I bet the room furniture still smells like you. Ana Radu and her family who made it all the way from Queens multiple times and whose mom is the master of master of reflexology and motherly love. All my church (including Sarah Oliver and Zach Sokol and Mary Vange) who through and through unfailingly threw their love and support behind my family when they needed it most. Fr James who constantly offered spiritual support. Bishop Michael who had huge administrative responsibilities and still found time he didn’t have to visit me three times and grant unforgettable advice. Pam Zedock-Stone who I was infinitely lucky to have as a nurse in my hospital and always knew how to make me laugh even when I tried my hardest not to. -Those from school who came and comforted me and showered me in ifood! and friendship. Even if it was so out of the way, there were so many that when the security guard at the front desk saw a high school age person walk in, he would reflexively ask “are you here to see Antoniu?”. By order of appearance: Iris Wong, Kristen Tse, Kruthika Dhannapuneni, Sarvani Kuruganti, Harini Mekala, Stephanie Garrison, Whitney Wantong, Emily Cai, Panth Patel, Simran Chahal, Angela Liu, Akhil Bandi, Dennis Zhang, Radheshwar Arora, Pooja Patel, Jennifer Roman, Danielle Raabe, Expedito Sean Bacud Miralles, and those who I may have forgotten). -Those in school who made my transition much less painful. My lab partners Dennis Zhang and Rad Hesh War; Konya Badsa, Whitney Wantong, and Lahari Sangitha who put up with an amazing amount of bad phsysicsing and biologying and carried me through some of my hardest classes that year. Angela Liu who is an absolute angel and never treated me as if I was a different person and without whose help and advice I would not be where I am today. Kristen Shea who gave an extraordinary amount of love and understanding as both a great friend and girlfriend. Everyone- in school and out- who resumed our friendship from where we left off. All my teachers who took it easier on me and without which I would not have graduated in time. -And finally a big shout out to all the hospital staff in Children’s Specialized and Robert Wood Johnson whose encouragement and positive attitude translated to me. I would not be the same person without you. ………. Anyone whose helped me get back on my feet, whos been their authentic selves with me, and understood my position, you’re all the bestest. I cant thank you enough.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 01:21:30 +0000
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