AUTHOR BIO
I was born in New York City and transplanted myself to the Tampa, Florida area in 1972 after separating from the U.S. Army.
Having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, my life took an unexpected detour. My losses in physical strength have more than been compensated for by my gains in cognitive skills. It seems that the disease brought as many brain cells to life as those that it had killed. Since the onset of ms, I've earned my Masters and Doctorate degrees, have written four novels, have had three dozen short stories, articles and essays published, have been named to Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World, and last but certainly not least, have become a grandfather five times. Of course, ms had nothing to do with that last one, but I just had to brag.
Photo by Tony Cáceres
Three of my beautiful grandchildren, January 2010.
All five of my grandbabies, Christmas 2008.
This photo appears in the July 2009 issue of PN: Paraplegia News magazine.
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Board Certified Alternative Medical Practitioner by the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA); Galveston, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing; 1969; Manhattan College; New York, NY
Master of Arts in Education; 1999; University of South Florida; Tampa, FL
Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Health; 2004; Clayton College of Natural Health; Birmingham, AL
Certified Credit Manager; 1983; Tampa, FL
Honorable Discharge, U.S. Army; 1975
Honorable Discharge, U. S. Air Force; 1969
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Mystery Writers of America
Florida Writers Association
Tampa Writers Alliance
Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society
Coalition for Natural Health
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Paralyzed Veterans of America
League of United Latin-American Citizens
Paralysis Society of America
Military Writers Society of America
American Legion
AWARDS:
Listed in Who's Who in America, 2003-present
Listed in Who's Who in the World, 2004-present
First Prize for Chronic Nights in Florida Writers Association's 2003 Royal Palm Literary Awards
Second Prize for Because They Were in Florida Writers Association's 2003 Royal Palm Literary Awards
Third Prize in Biogen Idec's essay contest, "How Taking Avonex Changed My Life Living With Multiple Sclerosis," 2000
Excellence in Government Award, 2002, Hillsborough County, Florida
Credit Manager of the Year, 1983
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A search of my name in Google.com will produce more than 900,000 results. Of course, not all of these pertain to me, but there are many interesting sources, interviews and opinions of my work. Go ahead: browse.
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In 2000, I visited The Big Apple and snapped this photo of the lower Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry through a milky sky.
I went back in 2003 and took this picture on a clear day, not unlike 9/11/2001.
I just hope that we really mean it when we say,
"We Will Never Forget."
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