Joseph Martin

June 12, 2005

I am a survivor of TBI since August 22, 1988. I was assaulted with a baseball bat to the back of my head and striking the sidewalk with the front of my head. I was in a coma for two weeks and was in the hospital for three months. I was living close to Yankee Stadium when it happened. I was taken across to the Bronx, NY to Jacobi Hospital. I was released from Jacobi Rehab on my birthday, Nov 1, 1988.

I went to Burke rehab in White Plains, NY for improvement to my right arm/hand and right leg. It was diagnosed as a strike at Jacobi. The proper diagnosis is neurological deficits due to TBI. I received the proper treatment which allowed me to go back to work full duty. I work for the New York Fire Department-Emergency Medical Service since 1977. Being a patient and being treated by my co-workers I found out how it feels to be a patient (on the other end of the stick.)

Now seeing life in another aspect I thank God that I a still alive and back to work. I wish everyone good health and keep looking upward to your future!