Hello Everyone;
My name is Robert Rivas, and I'm the new coordinator for the Houston Brain Aneurysm Support Group. Traci has taken the reins over the Beaumont Chapter. We all want apologize for the lack of communication. The discussion board wasn't utilized at its capacity. I will carry this responsibility from here on out and have it utilized to it's capacity and then some, so that everyone will come to develop a higher level of confidence and clarity in our direction. I'll do my very best to take this program to the next level. I would like to thank Traci for all the hard work and time she has given to this foundation. I know as a recovered ruptured Ane patient, my challenge began back in December 13, 2004, and as many of you, I had no signs until that evening. December 13, 2004 that cold and snowy Christmas month that changed my life forever.
I also had a major stroke that followed behind the rupture, which left me paralyzed from the neck down and after regained consciouness from the coma. I don't recall much of that night, other than the very cold sensation, the loud sounds of whirl winds and a very bright gallery of lights. I went through 3 1/2 months of rehab and extensive speech and rewriting skills. I owe so much to the great staff at Herman Memorial and Dr. Dennis Volmer who was one of my saviors that night. I am truly blessed to be alive and have since taken on this silent attacker.. And have returned to a somewhat normal lifestyle with a whole new perspective on life.
My goal and promise to each and every member, and future unforeseen patients is to contribute as much time and effort to help any and all patients and families by sharing and contributing experiences and procedures that has brought me out of those dark, and unknown paths of uncertainty. And by sharing the myriad of tools that are available and by hoping to magnify our exposure through these sensational institutions that surround us. I 'm honored to be a part of such an extraordinary institution and will bring a very high level of persistence to the table. I yearn to help each and everyone to the highest level that can. I realize we have a stretch to go at least to the level I envision but as that old adage states ,”a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step” and today we're taking that first step.
I want to encourage each and every one of you to please join me in this phenomenal journey. I envision the Houston Chapter to become one of the leaders in exposing and developing some new tools with the help of our surrounding neighbors so that we may reach any and all survivors of this horrible attacker. I sense that our awareness to the public and our family and friends are very inconsistent and down right vague at times. And so our mission is to; well for a business linguistic term ..." WE NEED A MARKETING CAMPAIGN ". I have been in discussions with Jenny at our main head quarters in Boston, and have full support from everyone at the foundation.
I'll be leaving to San Antonio in a few weeks to meet with our Sister group and to meet with the founder and coordinator of that cities chapter. They have developed a phenomenal program with astounding results. So since we don't need to reinvent the wheel - I'll go west for some modeling classes. Mayra Kent is her name and what a story she has to share as do all of you. She has some wonderful ideas that I hope to adopt and to hopefully instill in our Chapter that will help in our success journey. I'm a very strong believer in feedback as well, good or bad. We all prefer the good, but I believe the bad is just as valuable, because we can't fix what we don't know is broken.
My hope is that each and everyone of you would pass me on some feedback about your ideas and the challenges that may have detoured you, or a friend per lack of communication and or the availability of the appropriate individual that could answer and- or supply your information with a sense of clarity. And certainty, because I believe in clarity.... I know its way over used but hey when it comes to our own health we've better be clear. CLARITY “I SAY!”
Well I hope I have cleared some of the unknown questions about the direction of this extraordinary organization and want everyone to know how much I look forward to meeting each and everyone of you and learn your stories and hopefully I can help anyone that may be of need.
I strongly pray that each, and everyone will join me in making and taking this organization to the highest level possible so that we can become the example to all; that this obstacle that has been thrown in our paths....will not be viewed as a Stop Sign, as I'm so fond of saying ... It's "Not IMPOSSIBLE .. It’s “I'M ' POSSIBLE ".
Have a sensational day and may God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Robert Rivas