“I had a brain aneurysm in 2006. It paralyzed half of my body. The left side of my body was completely paralyzed, so I’ve learned how to walk again. I was performing in my advanced acting class. And literally with a snap of a finger, I could not feel anything on my left side. I thought I was fainting, because it was finals week, I hadn’t eaten that morning, and I had been up all night, so I was exhausted. I have a history of fainting, so I thought no big deal, I’ll finish my scene and then get water from somebody. So I literally held myself up and finished my lines, but then I wasn’t blacking out. My professor said thanks, you’re done, but I wasn’t moving. I told him I thought I was fainting and he asked if he should call someone. I said yes, and as soon as I said that, I knew something was wrong. As soon as it sunk in, I fell on the stage and collapsed. I was rushed to the hospital, had tests done, surgeon came out to evaluate me and within 5 minutes I was on a helicopter to Rochester. My whole cranium was full of blood, but it filled up enough, that the pressure stabilized me. At one point, my vitals went off the charts and they said if he survives until morning, we will operate. I said goodbye to my family and anyone else who was there. Luckily by morning, I had come back up and everything was stable. They operated that morning. They opened up my cranium, and it was right on the surface, so they were able to clip it and fix it. I ended up staying in Rochester for a month because I was paralyzed and needed physical therapy. The reason I was paralyzed, is the blood tore and wrecked the part of my brain that controlled my left side. And so everything that my left side can do now, is because I trained a new part of my brain how to do it. I came home June 13th, 10 years ago next week. I had a leg brace, a cane and a wheelchair. It would take me 10 minutes to walk 50 yards. After surgery, people told me I would live my life in a wheelchair and I just said no I’m not. I stopped using a wheelchair for anything after 3 months because I was so stubborn, determined and prideful. Growing up, I had always done theater and dance. I was known for being a 6’10 male who could dance. It was my knowledge in dance that helped me improve the way I did. Dancing always gave me such a physical release. That was my activity. I could do swing dance, tap dance, Michael Jackson moves, you name it. But now I can’t dance. I think it’s possible that I will be able to do it again someday. I’m still seeing improvements. I used to not be able to hold anything in my left arm. Now I can hold a 2 year old toddler. I’m trying to find that balance of feeling good. I get tired easily because I can’t be as physical as I want to be, but it’s getting better. I’m so grateful to be alive.”