After I Crashed Into A Light Pole

I was dropping off a passenger at Midway one day and as I was

leaving I was stopped by the police and was given a ticket for

not wearing my seat belt. I never wore my seat belt.

.

DID you ever get a ticket for not wearing a seat belt ?

.

I had another fare to Midway Airport and again I was notwearing

my seat belt, but before I got there I had thought or was it a very LOUD message from the “Boys“, It was the

loudest I ever had, it was a scream, PUT YOUR SEAT BELT ON OR YOU WILL GET ANOTHER TICKET, so

what else could I do, I put it on.

.
I dropped off the passenger and just after I left the airport, I fell asleep while I was driving and drove my

cab into a light pole! I destroyed the cab and was knocked out unconscious.

.

They took me to the hospital and I was in intensive care for 10 days, I almost died, but the “BOYS” would

not let me come back yet, I was not finished here.They put me in a rest home to recover from my injuries.

Myright hip was broken and they had to putitback together with eight pins, and my left shoulder was

broken. I spent seven monthsin “Bronzeville” Resthome recovering.

.

While I was there for seven months. I had therapy three times a week until the insurance money ran out,

sothey sent me home.

.

It is now two years after the accident and I still have to walk with a leg brace. Remember the only reason

Iwas wearing my seat belt was because of the ticket I got the month before.

.

While I Was NearDeath, Jim Sent Me A Letter To Help Inspire Me.

.

Dear Mike Shapiro,

.

Just a note to thank you for writing such a great book.

.

During the Thanksgiving Holiday my friend somehow got a hold of one of your books and lent it to me.

December always seems to be a very bad month for me, so I guess he thought that I would read the book

andfeel better being that December was right around the corner.

.

Well I spent Thanksgiving at his house and I started reading the book right away and as I skimmed through

it and read some of the stories, I started to feel like a load was lifted from my shoulders. I felt hopeful

which if you knew me is a miracle in itself ! Some of us began discussing a few of the stories and I started to

think that maybe I wasn’t listening to what GOD is trying to tell me and that I need to open my heart and

mind to what I had been denying . During the discussion some of us thought that maybe we need to assess

our situations and see what our “Calling Was”. I must tell you that at first I felt a little skeptical but I

couldn’t deny the changes I was making and the hopefulness and happiness I stating to experience.

.

Every Day I woke up with a smile and with a little more hope and a little more strength to go out and make

a difference. I knew I was not alone on my journey anymore.

.

God was showing me the options he was giving me and it was my decision to choose a path. I am learning

something now every day but I am confident God has a plan for me and I am working to achieve it and

spread the word like you are. In one month’s time I have made such a progress I can only call it a miracle.

.

I am enrolled in Job Training program. I am transitioning out of the Shelter and into a group home living

situation to start living independently again and I have a part time Waiter Staff job which I love. I have met

so many people in this short time that are actually helpful or caring.

.

Maybe I was so engulfed with self-pity before and I didn’t see it, but truly that your book has opened My

eyes and helped me get together and to spread the word to try and help others and make this place a

better world.

.

I feel that you literally, changed my life, actually saved it, since I was really on the edge. Whenever I notice

the self-pity starting , I take a minute and just ask God to help me and sure enough it is done

.

Thank you for writing such a great book on Life’s lessons. Some of my friends have experiences changes too

from reading it and praying, but let me tell you I have received many comments on my changes in attitude

and lifestyle.

.

I realize that God is always with me and no matter how “BAD” I think it is, God will carry me through it if

he has to.

.

Normally I am not a letter writer or phone talker, I am just a big mouth, but when I tried to find you to

thank you in person, I found out about your accident and through the grapevine found out that you were at

Bronzeville for recovery. I feel terrible that it happened to you and I pray for you every day. Here I am

experiencing all this renewal while you are trying to get back on your feet !