Early Challenges

My story began just days after birth. A mild stroke left me with increased muscle tone and limited fine motor skills on my right side. Simply put, what I can accomplish with my left hand, I often struggle to do with my right. Even today, I realistically type using only my left hand. It can be humbling to watch others move quickly and effortlessly through tasks that require dexterity.

Around sixteen years later, I began experiencing seizures. One remains especially vivid. My dad and I had fallen asleep watching a movie, and the next thing I knew, I woke up to a paramedic entering our home. My first thought—still clear in my memory—was, “Have I died and gone to heaven?” I had suffered a seizure and had been unconscious for several minutes.

Looking back, those early health challenges shaped me in ways I did not fully understand at the time. They may have contributed to a reluctance to speak up, take risks, or step boldly into new opportunities. Fear of embarrassment or being misunderstood can quietly influence a person’s confidence.

One purpose of this website and blog is to revisit those early experiences with greater intention. With a renewed love for learning, I hope to explore medical records, research strokes and seizures, and share what I discover from the perspective of someone who has lived through them. If my reflections can offer encouragement or clarity to even one person walking a similar road, then sharing this story will be worthwhile.

Learning, Struggle, and Growth

Academically, I have generally been a strong student. I earned the occasional “C” and one unforgettable “D” during my first undergraduate program in psychology. That experience became a turning point. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of sustained effort. When I later completed my undergraduate degree in accounting and my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, I approached my studies with renewed determination—and thrived.

Still, learning has never come effortlessly. I sometimes struggle to retain concepts or recall the full depth of books I genuinely enjoy. I often revisit material to ensure it truly sticks. At times, that can be discouraging. I know that mastering something new will likely require patience and persistence.

Through conversations with physicians, I’ve come to understand that some of these challenges may not be entirely within my control. Medication—and perhaps even the early stroke—may influence memory and processing. Rather than seeing this as limitation, I’ve begun to see it as invitation: to study more deeply, reflect more intentionally, and approach learning with humility.

My graduate studies in information science sparked a lasting passion for research, organization, and thoughtful inquiry. They taught me to ask better questions and to see learning not as a task to complete, but as a lifelong pursuit. That curiosity continues to shape both this site and my professional work.

Faith and Trust

Faith has been a central part of my life, though not without seasons of questioning and growth. I am deeply grateful to my parents for raising my siblings and me in the Catholic Church. As the years pass, I find myself increasingly appreciative of the wisdom, tradition, and guidance the Church offers.

There have been many moments when I can see God’s providence at work in my life and in my family’s life. If we are attentive, I believe we can recognize small miracles unfolding in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

That does not mean I have never asked “why.” I still do. Asking “why” is part of being human. Over time, however, I have learned that trust must accompany the question. When we pause, breathe, and listen carefully, we can sense that we are not alone—that Christ walks with us through both clarity and uncertainty.

Purpose

Saint Anthony Mary Claret once wrote:

“A Son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a man on fire with love, who spreads its flames wherever he goes… His only concern is how he can best follow Jesus Christ and imitate Him in working, suffering, and striving constantly and single-mindedly for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.”

My wife once shared this passage with me, and it has stayed with me ever since. It describes the kind of man I strive to become and the spirit in which I hope to serve. I fall short at times, but I continue to aim toward that ideal—with my family, my colleagues, and the students I am blessed to teach.