My Story!!!

When I was young, I grew up in the perfect neighborhood.  I had neighbors who loved to be outdoors as much as I did, and we played every sport (my passion) we could. My cousin, who I consider a best friend and a younger brother also lived close and played with us most of the time.  We would throw our bodies around playing hockey on roller blades, dive for baseballs in the empty lot next to my house, and swim during the summer.

I had the best childhood anyone could ask for!

Everything was great until I turned 15 or so. I was captain of my tennis team and loved baseball with the same vigor.  However, I began to notice that when I wanted to move quickly in a certain direction I would end up on the ground. It was like I blacked out and awakened a second later.

As I made it through high school and into college at the University of Oregon my balance worsened, but what broke my heart was when I had to give up playing sports. Also, I could no longer go up and down stairs without using a hand rail.

After I graduated from college my best friend and I suitcased through Europe. Even with my physical limitations, we walked everywhere and did everything we could!  He was a great friend!

A couple years after Europe, I was diagnosed with MERRF (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/myoclonic-epilepsy-with-ragged-red-fibers). While I hope nobody who reads this ever gets the disease, it has provided me with a different lens to see the world through.

The lesson that I continue to learn because of my unfaltering support from my family, friends, doctors and others who care about my well being is that I couldn't control what hand I was dealt, but I can control what I do with it.

That is Me....Daniel Barsook, Who are you?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

W. Clement Stone "Do It Now"

Image
One of the maxims that jolts me to action is, "Do it Now." I first heard this wonderful expression when reading W. Clement Stone's "The Success System That Never Fails." Now he was a real man of action. When his father died Stone was only a child. Did he get depressed, down in spirits or give up? No. He did the opposite and decided to work extra hard and take action. He became a man at a young age. As he sold insurance policies door to door and then managed sales teams and franchises his company grew to one of the largest in the U.S. The point is that when you're down all too often we allow these feelings to linger. But this is exactly the time you need to remember to think positively. More important, take action. Do something you enjoy!!! You are great, you have potential to help others, be social, write, work on a business you've been wanting to start for some time, watch or play a sport, read a book, listen to your favorite comedian, just  "Do...
Read more

Always Keep Granola Bars in My Car

I live in Los Angeles and there are lots of homeless people holding signs as you exit the freeway. Therefore, I hand out granola bars if I'm stopped.  The other day I gave a box of kind bars to a homeless veteran. He said to me "sir can I really have the whole box?" His gratitude made my entire week.
Read more

Lessons Learned

Image
This Blog was inspired by my grandfather in October when he suggested that I should write. As a family friend said to me, it was meant to happen. He lit the fire! It was up to me to decide what the subject material would be for the Blog. And, how my experiences could be of most value to my readers.  I find that the people who I look up to most excel at making the correct moral and ethical decisions.  Their religious and political backgrounds vary. But, the constant remains family, history, a thirst for learning and respect for their elders.  Though I come from a different generation, I strive for the same. This week has been an emotional roller coaster.  Knowing my grandfather was bed ridden I had to act happy for a surprise party for my 30th birthday. After visiting my grandpa Saturday afternoon my mom called me from my grandparents house on Sunday, I answered immediately but didn't want to. The funeral was Tuesday and I turned 30 Wednesday. I recall the w...
Read more