Mike's Story
I believe most people live in glass boxes. They wake up, get out of bed and start their daily routine...taking for granted simple tasks such as putting one foot in front of the other to move, turning their heads to look at something, and simply bending over to tie their shoes. These are effortless motions that everyone does everyday without any thought. Not only I was among them, but I was also working three jobs at times, raising a child, and caring for my elderly mother...those days were easy.
All of my life I have been very athletic and outgoing, dabbling in everything from high school sports, weight training, to mountain biking fifty miles a week, and fencing competitions. I even sought employment opportunities that were invigorating; anything that would challenge me physically, I would do...even my life’s passion for making music includes some physical "aerobic" activity. In fact, one of my goals as a personal trainer has been to look and feel my best at age 40. Now, with all of these things comes dedication, commitment, and great sacrifice. And I‘ve learned that anything worth having means going through hell and high water to get it and keep it. I never believed this more than I did 2 years ago.
Since I can remember, God has constantly placed obstacles in my way in order to test my character, and to mold me into the man he needs me to be. From living with adoption, to losing loved ones, and personal sacrifice, I have gladly been challenged both mentally and physically. And as faith would have it, I believe gifts and rewards are granted to those who persevere through such trials and tribulations, no matter how long it takes. Mine came in the form of a loving woman, understanding children, and people I can call "giving" friends.
About 5 years ago, I was performing for a large group of people who came out to support my love for music. Shortly after my performance, I became pale and felt as though I was going to faint. Slightly disoriented, my fiancé at the time(Mandi) became concerned and wouldn’t bring me home unless I went to the emergency room first. I tried to explain that it was just hot under the lights and that I was ok. She persisted and to please her, I gave in.
After a series of tests, and with some surprise that an edgy musician wasn’t testing positive for drugs or alcohol, I was dismissed with no explanations other than a referral for more advanced testing at the hospital. After an MRI and more extensive testing, there was still no explanation or reason for my strange physical condition, other than a possible inner ear infection that was left untreated, and that may be why I was experiencing what the doctors dismissed as having "vertigo". Shortly after my hospital visit, for two weeks the rooms in my house appeared to be completely sideways. I was unable to sit up, stand, or let alone walk without stepping directly into a wall. Fully disoriented, all I could do was pray that the strangest thing I had ever experienced would go away. I was told that I may have to deal with the sporadic characteristics of this condition for possibly the rest of my life, or never again(either way, it may be very inconsistent). Confused and ignorant to what I was going through, I just wanted it to clear itself from my head as soon as possible. Surprisingly, within two weeks, my symptoms were almost completely subsided, with the exception of a few minor occurrences here and there. At the time, I was working for General Motors, so I had returned to work trusting in the doctors’ prognosis that it would just be a small matter that I would have to deal with.
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