Our Stories

For a teenager, I had a surprisingly clear vision for how my life would play out. The year was 1980, and I was a 16-year-old cadet in a Police Explorers program for young people interested in careers in law enforcement. I had big plans. I wanted to become a police officer in my hometown, and maybe someday, go on to the FBI Academy and become an FBI agent.

That boyhood dream would never be realized.

As I got ready ...

I am grateful for the opportunity to submit my thoughts in support of those struggling with chronic illness. I wish to tell my story, here as well as in other venues, because often people, especially men, find it difficult to speak of illness, much less an illness so erratic and “invisible” as mine. Also, frankly most who suffer from chronic illnesses are often too tired to tell their story. They’ve told it countless times to friends, family, co-workers and medical ...