About

I’m a long time trauma survivor, I’ve been in two major car accidents, the first of which nearly killed me. From my experiences, and especially my emotional struggles, like many long-time trauma survivors, I’ve learned a lot about life and grown quite a bit. Really, the seed that got planted was from my experiences in the Rebuild program in 2005. I’ll be blogging a fair amount about those experiences, so stay tuned.

I lived in the D.C. area at that time, and have since moved away. I miss that program – it’s amazing. ANY trauma survivors in the DC area that can make it, I could not possibly more strongly recommend experience I’ve had in my life more than that one. It is an amazing program run by some amazing and courageous people. Tell ‘em “Steve” sent me”

It is THAT experience that led me to this place. Trauma survivors tend to get plenty of help these days right after the incident – if they have insurance, and/or the money to do so, but that soon goes away. The one thing that doesn’t is the struggle (at least for the vast majority). There are NO resources available, unless you want to continue with a paid professional.

Since moving to Miami, I have become a volunteer at the Ryder Trauma Center, the only Level 1 trauma center in Miami/Dade. I came there for one reason, to awaken the powers that be to that very gap that all trauma survivors face of being completely on their own. In the process (though we are no where near where I would like us to be) I have indeed awakened them to the soon-to-be Trauma Survivor Network which is the brain-child of the American Trauma Society. We have managed to become one of the second tier pilot hospitals in the program, which has exceeded my expectations.

In the process, and I suppose in recognition of my zeal and fortitude in advocating trauma survivor issues, the American Trauma Society offered me a position on their Consumer Advisory board, an honor that caught me completely off guard, one that I am thrilled about. Talk about exceeding any expectation I may have ever had with respect to my involvement with trauma survivor issues! That some of the greatest minds in the trauma community would actually want to hear what *I* have to say on any issue is definitely the most humbling experience of my life.

There HAS been this gap with respect to support for survivors for WAY too long. There are an amazing amount of support groups to the point where there is help available for even the rarest of diseases. Well… trauma IS a disease too, and trauma survivors have few if any resources. That’s why I feel compelled to try to do something about that. Fortunately, HOPE is on the way, quite literally. The Trauma Survivor Network is going to forever change the landscape for trauma survivors for their betterment and for the betterment of our world.

This blog will cover may of those issues, as well as other matters, including the telling of my story. That will take some time to complete, so I don’t want to do it right away. I would rather speak my mind on the current issues at hand.