courage is being able to face your fears and many of us fear change people places
and many of us fear change people places
and many of us fear change people places the world around us are constantly
the world around us are constantly
the world around us are constantly changing many look at change as an
changing many look at change as an
changing many look at change as an opportunity to give up when actually
opportunity to give up when actually
opportunity to give up when actually it’s an opportunity to grow my name is
it’s an opportunity to grow my name is
it’s an opportunity to grow my name is dr. Raymond myths and I’m a
dr. Raymond myths and I’m a
dr. Raymond myths and I’m a board-certified gastroenterologist
board-certified gastroenterologist
board-certified gastroenterologist sixteen years ago today I was actually
sixteen years ago today I was actually
sixteen years ago today I was actually sitting at home praying that I would
sitting at home praying that I would
sitting at home praying that I would someday have something positive to share
someday have something positive to share
someday have something positive to share with anybody that would listen
with anybody that would listen
with anybody that would listen shortly before turning forty years of
shortly before turning forty years of
shortly before turning forty years of age I was declared legally blind
age I was declared legally blind
age I was declared legally blind suddenly my future was very dark thanks
suddenly my future was very dark thanks
suddenly my future was very dark thanks to technology education development and
to technology education development and
to technology education development and amazing wife great family friends a
amazing wife great family friends a
amazing wife great family friends a solid faith I’m here today to share with
solid faith I’m here today to share with
solid faith I’m here today to share with you my experience strengthened hope my
you my experience strengthened hope my
you my experience strengthened hope my prescription for dealing with change I
prescription for dealing with change I
prescription for dealing with change I grew up in New York and had two great
grew up in New York and had two great
grew up in New York and had two great parents they both were two jobs are only
parents they both were two jobs are only
parents they both were two jobs are only in my life so I taught and was taught
in my life so I taught and was taught
in my life so I taught and was taught the value of hard work my sister and I
the value of hard work my sister and I
the value of hard work my sister and I were raised Catholic so I have a solid
were raised Catholic so I have a solid
were raised Catholic so I have a solid spiritual foundation and our house was
spiritual foundation and our house was
spiritual foundation and our house was filled with a lot of love early on and
filled with a lot of love early on and
filled with a lot of love early on and wife I actually had the expectations of
wife I actually had the expectations of
wife I actually had the expectations of going through life having a life from
going through life having a life from
going through life having a life from start to finish
start to finish
start to finish filled with happiness I also learned at
filled with happiness I also learned at
filled with happiness I also learned at a very young age that life is hard
a very young age that life is hard
a very young age that life is hard several events occurred in my life as a
several events occurred in my life as a
several events occurred in my life as a young man
young man
young man that influenced me for the rest of my
that influenced me for the rest of my
that influenced me for the rest of my life the first occurred in 1969 our
life the first occurred in 1969 our
life the first occurred in 1969 our hometown team the New York Mets went
hometown team the New York Mets went
hometown team the New York Mets went from last place the first place and as a
from last place the first place and as a
from last place the first place and as a young male all I wanted to do is play
young male all I wanted to do is play
young male all I wanted to do is play baseball for our hometown team the New
baseball for our hometown team the New
baseball for our hometown team the New York Mets four years later the Mets made
York Mets four years later the Mets made
York Mets four years later the Mets made the World Series again but they didn’t
the World Series again but they didn’t
the World Series again but they didn’t one another event occurred that would
one another event occurred that would
one another event occurred that would have major impacts on me for the rest of
have major impacts on me for the rest of
have major impacts on me for the rest of my wife while walking home from school I
my wife while walking home from school I
my wife while walking home from school I was struck by a car shattered with my
was struck by a car shattered with my
was struck by a car shattered with my right wake and dreams of ever playing
right wake and dreams of ever playing
right wake and dreams of ever playing competitive sports since that time I’ve
competitive sports since that time I’ve
competitive sports since that time I’ve had nine operations on both my legs and
had nine operations on both my legs and
had nine operations on both my legs and my knees the night before one of those
my knees the night before one of those
my knees the night before one of those operations I was sitting in the x-ray
operations I was sitting in the x-ray
operations I was sitting in the x-ray department at the ha
department at the ha
department at the ha Special Surgery in New York City a group
Special Surgery in New York City a group
Special Surgery in New York City a group of doctors came in and presented my case
of doctors came in and presented my case
of doctors came in and presented my case and he quickly left I then observed a
and he quickly left I then observed a
and he quickly left I then observed a young resident dr. feta sit down next to
young resident dr. feta sit down next to
young resident dr. feta sit down next to me and said ray do you have any
me and said ray do you have any
me and said ray do you have any questions about what might have be
questions about what might have be
questions about what might have be happening tomorrow I didn’t know how to
happening tomorrow I didn’t know how to
happening tomorrow I didn’t know how to answer so I then observe dr. feta take
answer so I then observe dr. feta take
answer so I then observe dr. feta take one hand and gently place it on my leg
one hand and gently place it on my leg
one hand and gently place it on my leg and with a pen in the other hand began
and with a pen in the other hand began
and with a pen in the other hand began during the operation that would take
during the operation that would take
during the operation that would take place the following morning on that knee
place the following morning on that knee
place the following morning on that knee immediately I felt the power of his
immediately I felt the power of his
immediately I felt the power of his touch and they said this is what I want
touch and they said this is what I want
touch and they said this is what I want to do in life I want to be a doctor I
to do in life I want to be a doctor I
to do in life I want to be a doctor I enrolled at Siena College in upstate New
enrolled at Siena College in upstate New
enrolled at Siena College in upstate New York and the pre-med program after my
York and the pre-med program after my
York and the pre-med program after my first semester my advisor dr. Laura said
first semester my advisor dr. Laura said
first semester my advisor dr. Laura said ray your grades aren’t going to be good
ray your grades aren’t going to be good
ray your grades aren’t going to be good enough to get into Medical School you
enough to get into Medical School you
enough to get into Medical School you should be thinking of another career
should be thinking of another career
should be thinking of another career never forgetting doctor fed his touch I
never forgetting doctor fed his touch I
never forgetting doctor fed his touch I asked for an opportunity to prove myself
asked for an opportunity to prove myself
asked for an opportunity to prove myself I buckled down and to this day I’m so
I buckled down and to this day I’m so
I buckled down and to this day I’m so grateful that dr. Woodrow believed in me
grateful that dr. Woodrow believed in me
grateful that dr. Woodrow believed in me because he gave me a second chance I
because he gave me a second chance I
because he gave me a second chance I buckled down academically and began
buckled down academically and began
buckled down academically and began doing research with the doctors have
doing research with the doctors have
doing research with the doctors have been at the Hospital for Special Surgery
been at the Hospital for Special Surgery
been at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York I applied to medical school
in New York I applied to medical school
in New York I applied to medical school but didn’t get in my first year I was
but didn’t get in my first year I was
but didn’t get in my first year I was wait-listed at all the schools I applied
wait-listed at all the schools I applied
wait-listed at all the schools I applied to not forgetting dr. fetes touch I
to not forgetting dr. fetes touch I
to not forgetting dr. fetes touch I didn’t want to give up I enrolled at
didn’t want to give up I enrolled at
didn’t want to give up I enrolled at Saint John’s University in the graduate
Saint John’s University in the graduate
Saint John’s University in the graduate school of biology full time at night
school of biology full time at night
school of biology full time at night continue to do research full-time during
continue to do research full-time during
continue to do research full-time during the day and reapply to medical school
the day and reapply to medical school
the day and reapply to medical school walking out of the interview at the New
walking out of the interview at the New
walking out of the interview at the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
England College of Osteopathic Medicine
England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine a doctor Novotny looked at me
in Maine a doctor Novotny looked at me
in Maine a doctor Novotny looked at me and said hey ray if you don’t get into
and said hey ray if you don’t get into
and said hey ray if you don’t get into medical school this year do you have any
medical school this year do you have any
medical school this year do you have any other plans I woke him in the eye and
other plans I woke him in the eye and
other plans I woke him in the eye and said I guess I’ll see you again next
said I guess I’ll see you again next
said I guess I’ll see you again next year five days later on a day we call
year five days later on a day we call
year five days later on a day we call Good Friday I received my acceptance
Good Friday I received my acceptance
Good Friday I received my acceptance letter and have since never looked back
letter and have since never looked back
letter and have since never looked back my wife and I Margaret settled here in
my wife and I Margaret settled here in
my wife and I Margaret settled here in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Shoei after setting up practice we
Shoei after setting up practice we
Shoei after setting up practice we celebrated the birth of our daughter
celebrated the birth of our daughter
celebrated the birth of our daughter Shannon and Olivia sure we have to
Shannon and Olivia sure we have to
Shannon and Olivia sure we have to entering practice my peers in the state
entering practice my peers in the state
entering practice my peers in the state of Rhode Island selected me one of the
of Rhode Island selected me one of the
of Rhode Island selected me one of the top physicians in the state and it was
top physicians in the state and it was
top physicians in the state and it was sold wide I never gave up on my dreams
sold wide I never gave up on my dreams
sold wide I never gave up on my dreams at the age of 38 I start having some
at the age of 38 I start having some
at the age of 38 I start having some health problems now you’d notice I had
health problems now you’d notice I had
health problems now you’d notice I had some
some
some difficulty hearing and I was diagnosed
difficulty hearing and I was diagnosed
difficulty hearing and I was diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss it’s partial
with bilateral hearing loss it’s partial
with bilateral hearing loss it’s partial and to this day I’m still wear hearing
and to this day I’m still wear hearing
and to this day I’m still wear hearing aids to hear clearly as I approach the
aids to hear clearly as I approach the
aids to hear clearly as I approach the age of 40 I notice I have problems
age of 40 I notice I have problems
age of 40 I notice I have problems reading small print I said geez
reading small print I said geez
reading small print I said geez everybody says when you turned 40 you
everybody says when you turned 40 you
everybody says when you turned 40 you need reading glasses two days before I
need reading glasses two days before I
need reading glasses two days before I turned 40 I set that in my shower and
turned 40 I set that in my shower and
turned 40 I set that in my shower and they notice I had difficulties focusing
they notice I had difficulties focusing
they notice I had difficulties focusing on my face to shave I believe I
on my face to shave I believe I
on my face to shave I believe I completed that process by memory got
completed that process by memory got
completed that process by memory got dressed get in my car and started
dressed get in my car and started
dressed get in my car and started driving to the hospital as they pulled
driving to the hospital as they pulled
driving to the hospital as they pulled out of our driveway and reached the stop
out of our driveway and reached the stop
out of our driveway and reached the stop sign at the end of our cul-de-sac I
sign at the end of our cul-de-sac I
sign at the end of our cul-de-sac I observed that he couldn’t see the stop
observed that he couldn’t see the stop
observed that he couldn’t see the stop sign and then observed and proceeded to
sign and then observed and proceeded to
sign and then observed and proceeded to do one of the stupidest things in my
do one of the stupidest things in my
do one of the stupidest things in my life I challenged myself to drive to the
life I challenged myself to drive to the
life I challenged myself to drive to the hospital as they made the gentle
hospital as they made the gentle
hospital as they made the gentle right-hand turn I fortunately caught the
right-hand turn I fortunately caught the
right-hand turn I fortunately caught the brake lights of one of my neighbors I
brake lights of one of my neighbors I
brake lights of one of my neighbors I followed those brake lights onto the
followed those brake lights onto the
followed those brake lights onto the highway as soon as we’re getting on the
highway as soon as we’re getting on the
highway as soon as we’re getting on the highway that car took off and I was
highway that car took off and I was
highway that car took off and I was stuck to ride the right-hand lane it was
stuck to ride the right-hand lane it was
stuck to ride the right-hand lane it was only two exits on the highway I had flip
only two exits on the highway I had flip
only two exits on the highway I had flip its abnormal vision and he gently guided
its abnormal vision and he gently guided
its abnormal vision and he gently guided the car into the parking lot at the
the car into the parking lot at the
the car into the parking lot at the hospital shutting it off for the very
hospital shutting it off for the very
hospital shutting it off for the very last time I noticed that my fingertips
last time I noticed that my fingertips
last time I noticed that my fingertips were numb from grabbing that steering
were numb from grabbing that steering
were numb from grabbing that steering wheel and had perspired I went into the
wheel and had perspired I went into the
wheel and had perspired I went into the hospital called my secretary and we
hospital called my secretary and we
hospital called my secretary and we cancelled much of the day I called my
cancelled much of the day I called my
cancelled much of the day I called my wife and we went up to see an eye doctor
wife and we went up to see an eye doctor
wife and we went up to see an eye doctor that day thinking I would simply need a
that day thinking I would simply need a
that day thinking I would simply need a prescription for glasses if there went
prescription for glasses if there went
prescription for glasses if there went the evaluation it wasn’t a prescription
the evaluation it wasn’t a prescription
the evaluation it wasn’t a prescription I received but I received the news that
I received but I received the news that
I received but I received the news that I was now legally blind and it could
I was now legally blind and it could
I was now legally blind and it could never drive or do procedures on patients
never drive or do procedures on patients
never drive or do procedures on patients again I was devastated I pulled up my
again I was devastated I pulled up my
again I was devastated I pulled up my wife’s story from my back pocket I don’t
wife’s story from my back pocket I don’t
wife’s story from my back pocket I don’t ever remember reading this chapter for
ever remember reading this chapter for
ever remember reading this chapter for the next several months my wife and I we
the next several months my wife and I we
the next several months my wife and I we went around the country doing further
went around the country doing further
went around the country doing further testing to find out what was wrong I
testing to find out what was wrong I
testing to find out what was wrong I actually went to work every day and
actually went to work every day and
actually went to work every day and although I didn’t know how to use my
although I didn’t know how to use my
although I didn’t know how to use my vision that I had my secretaries would
vision that I had my secretaries would
vision that I had my secretaries would read the patient records to me I’d go
read the patient records to me I’d go
read the patient records to me I’d go into the room evaluate the patients and
into the room evaluate the patients and
into the room evaluate the patients and if they needed a procedure I would refer
if they needed a procedure I would refer
if they needed a procedure I would refer them to a colleague to do so in February
them to a colleague to do so in February
them to a colleague to do so in February of 2002 I was told another valuable
of 2002 I was told another valuable
of 2002 I was told another valuable lesson in why
lesson in why
lesson in why not every relationship and wife was made
not every relationship and wife was made
not every relationship and wife was made to last
to last
to last my professional relationship was over I
my professional relationship was over I
my professional relationship was over I know a wave and uneasiness came over me
know a wave and uneasiness came over me
know a wave and uneasiness came over me and I had a sleepless night and if the
and I had a sleepless night and if the
and I had a sleepless night and if the Sun was coming up that night and early
Sun was coming up that night and early
Sun was coming up that night and early morning I had memory of a conversation I
morning I had memory of a conversation I
morning I had memory of a conversation I had with a low vision specialist at dr.
had with a low vision specialist at dr.
had with a low vision specialist at dr. Badillo in Connecticut working at his
Badillo in Connecticut working at his
Badillo in Connecticut working at his visit he said you know ray it might be a
visit he said you know ray it might be a
visit he said you know ray it might be a matter of when not if you could do
matter of when not if you could do
matter of when not if you could do procedures again as soon as I got to the
procedures again as soon as I got to the
procedures again as soon as I got to the office that day I had a sense of hope I
office that day I had a sense of hope I
office that day I had a sense of hope I called dr. Boudreau and I asked them
called dr. Boudreau and I asked them
called dr. Boudreau and I asked them what did you mean by that bill his
what did you mean by that bill his
what did you mean by that bill his experience was that if I could sit in
experience was that if I could sit in
experience was that if I could sit in front of a 20-inch monitor that my
front of a 20-inch monitor that my
front of a 20-inch monitor that my vision would be corrected to 2025 like
vision would be corrected to 2025 like
vision would be corrected to 2025 like wearing a set of glasses at the same
wearing a set of glasses at the same
wearing a set of glasses at the same time I received the phone call from the
time I received the phone call from the
time I received the phone call from the state physicians Health Committee and
state physicians Health Committee and
state physicians Health Committee and said ray you’re not going to believe
said ray you’re not going to believe
said ray you’re not going to believe this but there was a group of doctors
this but there was a group of doctors
this but there was a group of doctors here that recruit enchiladas with
here that recruit enchiladas with
here that recruit enchiladas with difficulties their experience was that
difficulties their experience was that
difficulties their experience was that if you could do 30 procedures and follow
if you could do 30 procedures and follow
if you could do 30 procedures and follow fully sighted physicians have your eyes
fully sighted physicians have your eyes
fully sighted physicians have your eyes examined regularly and have your records
examined regularly and have your records
examined regularly and have your records reviewed you would be deemed to save
reviewed you would be deemed to save
reviewed you would be deemed to save practitioner we then took our monitor
practitioner we then took our monitor
practitioner we then took our monitor put it in the back of our procedure room
put it in the back of our procedure room
put it in the back of our procedure room at the hospital for weeks every morning
at the hospital for weeks every morning
at the hospital for weeks every morning I would go to the hospital sitting in
I would go to the hospital sitting in
I would go to the hospital sitting in the corner watching other doctors
the corner watching other doctors
the corner watching other doctors through their procedures and we would
through their procedures and we would
through their procedures and we would communicate back and forth what was
communicate back and forth what was
communicate back and forth what was being seen what was being done one early
being seen what was being done one early
being seen what was being done one early morning at dr. Candice Dyer said ray
morning at dr. Candice Dyer said ray
morning at dr. Candice Dyer said ray once you come over here and finish this
once you come over here and finish this
once you come over here and finish this procedure for me the room parted like
procedure for me the room parted like
procedure for me the room parted like the Red Sea I’m not sure how I got to
the Red Sea I’m not sure how I got to
the Red Sea I’m not sure how I got to the position I did but the monitor was
the position I did but the monitor was
the position I did but the monitor was where it should be I’m not even sure how
where it should be I’m not even sure how
where it should be I’m not even sure how the gloves get on my hand but it was
the gloves get on my hand but it was
the gloves get on my hand but it was like riding a bicycle and they put the
like riding a bicycle and they put the
like riding a bicycle and they put the scope back in my hand with the lasers I
scope back in my hand with the lasers I
scope back in my hand with the lasers I scared at that screen and also the dr.
scared at that screen and also the dr.
scared at that screen and also the dr. Dyer what to me says ray what do you
Dyer what to me says ray what do you
Dyer what to me says ray what do you think of those power-ups on the screen
think of those power-ups on the screen
think of those power-ups on the screen as I looked there I could see no polyps
as I looked there I could see no polyps
as I looked there I could see no polyps I could see nothing wrong and suddenly I
I could see nothing wrong and suddenly I
I could see nothing wrong and suddenly I got sick to my stomach I says I can’t do
got sick to my stomach I says I can’t do
got sick to my stomach I says I can’t do this I can’t put people at harm’s way
this I can’t put people at harm’s way
this I can’t put people at harm’s way I answered quietly I don’t see any
I answered quietly I don’t see any
I answered quietly I don’t see any polyps she said good because there
polyps she said good because there
polyps she said good because there aren’t any
aren’t any
aren’t any so dr. Dyer was testing me word got out
so dr. Dyer was testing me word got out
so dr. Dyer was testing me word got out on the street that I might be recruit
on the street that I might be recruit
on the street that I might be recruit any health and 60 patients volunteered
any health and 60 patients volunteered
any health and 60 patients volunteered to be my first a good friend of mine
to be my first a good friend of mine
to be my first a good friend of mine John said ray
John said ray
John said ray because you had a good bucket of will
because you had a good bucket of will
because you had a good bucket of will and they kept on thinking of a story I
and they kept on thinking of a story I
and they kept on thinking of a story I heard once about doing the right thing a
heard once about doing the right thing a
heard once about doing the right thing a gentleman commented you know every
gentleman commented you know every
gentleman commented you know every morning when you get ready for work and
morning when you get ready for work and
morning when you get ready for work and you take your shirt off the hanger and
you take your shirt off the hanger and
you take your shirt off the hanger and the hanger falls to the floor the first
the hanger falls to the floor the first
the hanger falls to the floor the first thing I do is pick that hanger up I put
thing I do is pick that hanger up I put
thing I do is pick that hanger up I put it back on the rack and he said yes I
it back on the rack and he said yes I
it back on the rack and he said yes I get that for years I’d be ready for work
get that for years I’d be ready for work
get that for years I’d be ready for work my hanger would fall to the floor I said
my hanger would fall to the floor I said
my hanger would fall to the floor I said I want to deal with this later
I want to deal with this later
I want to deal with this later the end of the day I’d step back into
the end of the day I’d step back into
the end of the day I’d step back into that closet with my bare feet land run
that closet with my bare feet land run
that closet with my bare feet land run down that hanger and experience
down that hanger and experience
down that hanger and experience exquisite pain not anymore
exquisite pain not anymore
exquisite pain not anymore as soon as that hanger hits the ground
as soon as that hanger hits the ground
as soon as that hanger hits the ground they put it right back on the rack there
they put it right back on the rack there
they put it right back on the rack there after completing a rigorous
after completing a rigorous
after completing a rigorous credentialing process on April 18 2002 I
credentialing process on April 18 2002 I
credentialing process on April 18 2002 I was the estate practitioner and have
was the estate practitioner and have
was the estate practitioner and have never looked back since that time my
never looked back since that time my
never looked back since that time my name appears back in Rhode Island
name appears back in Rhode Island
name appears back in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine is one of the top
Monthly Magazine is one of the top
Monthly Magazine is one of the top doctors in the state of Rhode Island a
doctors in the state of Rhode Island a
doctors in the state of Rhode Island a magazine called best doctors of America
magazine called best doctors of America
magazine called best doctors of America and everyone many compassionate care
and everyone many compassionate care
and everyone many compassionate care Awards in 2012 articles were written how
Awards in 2012 articles were written how
Awards in 2012 articles were written how do you know your doctors doing quality
do you know your doctors doing quality
do you know your doctors doing quality work and these articles were saying that
work and these articles were saying that
work and these articles were saying that doctors should be detecting precancerous
doctors should be detecting precancerous
doctors should be detecting precancerous polyps in 20 to 25% of their patients
polyps in 20 to 25% of their patients
polyps in 20 to 25% of their patients with the help of our Hospital my palm
with the help of our Hospital my palm
with the help of our Hospital my palm detection rate was 42% nearly double
detection rate was 42% nearly double
detection rate was 42% nearly double what’s accepted before we fight excited
what’s accepted before we fight excited
what’s accepted before we fight excited physicians that’s thanks to technology
physicians that’s thanks to technology
physicians that’s thanks to technology last year I was really into said hey ray
last year I was really into said hey ray
last year I was really into said hey ray let’s bring in a group of doctors who
let’s bring in a group of doctors who
let’s bring in a group of doctors who don’t know who you are
don’t know who you are
don’t know who you are unbiased a gentleman spent a day with me
unbiased a gentleman spent a day with me
unbiased a gentleman spent a day with me and I did 13 cases and at the end of the
and I did 13 cases and at the end of the
and I did 13 cases and at the end of the day he commented that he praised my
day he commented that he praised my
day he commented that he praised my technique and at the end he talked to my
technique and at the end he talked to my
technique and at the end he talked to my medical director saying ray was seeing
medical director saying ray was seeing
medical director saying ray was seeing things that many if my colleagues in
things that many if my colleagues in
things that many if my colleagues in Pennsylvania would have missed the
Pennsylvania would have missed the
Pennsylvania would have missed the accomplishment of most proud of though
accomplishment of most proud of though
accomplishment of most proud of though is being able to get back on the
is being able to get back on the
is being able to get back on the softball and soccer fields as my
softball and soccer fields as my
softball and soccer fields as my daughter’s coaches I may not have been
daughter’s coaches I may not have been
daughter’s coaches I may not have been able to see them get a base hit or score
able to see them get a base hit or score
able to see them get a base hit or score a goal but as a parent that was on the
a goal but as a parent that was on the
a goal but as a parent that was on the field with them several years ago I read
field with them several years ago I read
field with them several years ago I read a quote from Henry Ford and it went
a quote from Henry Ford and it went
a quote from Henry Ford and it went something like this that experiences of
something like this that experiences of
something like this that experiences of extreme value in life I believe that to
extreme value in life I believe that to
extreme value in life I believe that to be true for able to look at our
be true for able to look at our
be true for able to look at our experiences I learned from them we grow
experiences I learned from them we grow
experiences I learned from them we grow by facing
by facing
by facing and correcting our errors and turning
and correcting our errors and turning
and correcting our errors and turning them into assets over the last 16 years
them into assets over the last 16 years
them into assets over the last 16 years I’ve had an opportunity to look at my
I’ve had an opportunity to look at my
I’ve had an opportunity to look at my wife and to see how I live it could I
wife and to see how I live it could I
wife and to see how I live it could I have done things differently absolutely
have done things differently absolutely
have done things differently absolutely but it’s progress not perfection but he
but it’s progress not perfection but he
but it’s progress not perfection but he also looked at in real I said I with my
also looked at in real I said I with my
also looked at in real I said I with my wife on the basis of five principles I
wife on the basis of five principles I
wife on the basis of five principles I called them my prescription for dealing
called them my prescription for dealing
called them my prescription for dealing with change the first is acceptance to
with change the first is acceptance to
with change the first is acceptance to accountability responsibility passion
accountability responsibility passion
accountability responsibility passion and purpose
and purpose
and purpose well what about acceptance I was taught
well what about acceptance I was taught
well what about acceptance I was taught the serenity prayer many years ago in a
the serenity prayer many years ago in a
the serenity prayer many years ago in a 12-step recovery program that said god
12-step recovery program that said god
12-step recovery program that said god grant me the serenity to accept the
grant me the serenity to accept the
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to
things I cannot change the courage to
things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom
change the things I can and the wisdom
change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference well what can I
to know the difference well what can I
to know the difference well what can I change my vision and hearing loss every
change my vision and hearing loss every
change my vision and hearing loss every day when I look at my alarm clock and I
day when I look at my alarm clock and I
day when I look at my alarm clock and I can’t see the numbers from my pillow I
can’t see the numbers from my pillow I
can’t see the numbers from my pillow I except my low vision and hearing and I
except my low vision and hearing and I
except my low vision and hearing and I promise myself to bring my a-game to
promise myself to bring my a-game to
promise myself to bring my a-game to everything I do that day how about the
everything I do that day how about the
everything I do that day how about the things I can change my attitude I look
things I can change my attitude I look
things I can change my attitude I look at my attitude as my fine tuned button
at my attitude as my fine tuned button
at my attitude as my fine tuned button if my attitude is cloudy I everything
if my attitude is cloudy I everything
if my attitude is cloudy I everything comes a little darker if my attitude is
comes a little darker if my attitude is
comes a little darker if my attitude is bright everything comes in clearer how
bright everything comes in clearer how
bright everything comes in clearer how about accountability on a daily basis I
about accountability on a daily basis I
about accountability on a daily basis I hold myself accountable to face my fears
hold myself accountable to face my fears
hold myself accountable to face my fears on a daily basis I also if I have
on a daily basis I also if I have
on a daily basis I also if I have wronged somebody hold myself accountable
wronged somebody hold myself accountable
wronged somebody hold myself accountable and make amends to them how about
and make amends to them how about
and make amends to them how about responsibility number three this is the
responsibility number three this is the
responsibility number three this is the one that got me out of bed every day the
one that got me out of bed every day the
one that got me out of bed every day the first responsibility I have was to our
first responsibility I have was to our
first responsibility I have was to our community and to our patients to care
community and to our patients to care
community and to our patients to care for them more importantly the
for them more importantly the
for them more importantly the responsibility to care for my wife and
responsibility to care for my wife and
responsibility to care for my wife and my children more importantly a
my children more importantly a
my children more importantly a responsibility to myself to fulfill my
responsibility to myself to fulfill my
responsibility to myself to fulfill my potential in life it’s for this reason
potential in life it’s for this reason
potential in life it’s for this reason that I had a plan B that was always
that I had a plan B that was always
that I had a plan B that was always gonna have to be a plan B so I thought
gonna have to be a plan B so I thought
gonna have to be a plan B so I thought about becoming an entrepreneur well
about becoming an entrepreneur well
about becoming an entrepreneur well eating ice cream one day I started
eating ice cream one day I started
eating ice cream one day I started thinking hey you know what I promote
thinking hey you know what I promote
thinking hey you know what I promote fiber on a daily basis only 3% of us get
fiber on a daily basis only 3% of us get
fiber on a daily basis only 3% of us get enough fiber for wellness ninety percent
enough fiber for wellness ninety percent
enough fiber for wellness ninety percent of American households buy ice cream
of American households buy ice cream
of American households buy ice cream let’s put the two together so although I
let’s put the two together so although I
let’s put the two together so although I got my career back I never gave up on
got my career back I never gave up on
got my career back I never gave up on the ice cream dream with the help of my
the ice cream dream with the help of my
the ice cream dream with the help of my wife and an amazed
wife and an amazed
wife and an amazed team we promoted and launched a product
team we promoted and launched a product
team we promoted and launched a product with benefits an ice cream called
with benefits an ice cream called
with benefits an ice cream called seriously good ice cream all-natural
seriously good ice cream all-natural
seriously good ice cream all-natural it’s got benefits got twenty three
it’s got benefits got twenty three
it’s got benefits got twenty three percent of your daily fiber but the
percent of your daily fiber but the
percent of your daily fiber but the second benefit we hope that donate part
second benefit we hope that donate part
second benefit we hope that donate part of the profits to groups that help blind
of the profits to groups that help blind
of the profits to groups that help blind children so they too can fulfill their
children so they too can fulfill their
children so they too can fulfill their potential in life how about passion if I
potential in life how about passion if I
potential in life how about passion if I didn’t have passion for life and my
didn’t have passion for life and my
didn’t have passion for life and my career what I do for a living I never
career what I do for a living I never
career what I do for a living I never would have come over so many obstacles
would have come over so many obstacles
would have come over so many obstacles to get where I am today if you love your
to get where I am today if you love your
to get where I am today if you love your work you’ll never have to work a day in
work you’ll never have to work a day in
work you’ll never have to work a day in your life I believe that to be true and
your life I believe that to be true and
your life I believe that to be true and purpose I used to think my purpose in
purpose I used to think my purpose in
purpose I used to think my purpose in life was to find and care for my
life was to find and care for my
life was to find and care for my patients
patients
patients provide for my family but I believe my
provide for my family but I believe my
provide for my family but I believe my purpose in life is to find inner peace
purpose in life is to find inner peace
purpose in life is to find inner peace and serenity well how do I do that
and serenity well how do I do that
and serenity well how do I do that I take care of my mind my body and my
I take care of my mind my body and my
I take care of my mind my body and my spirit by three events of events of
spirit by three events of events of
spirit by three events of events of life’s triathlon and he also got rid of
life’s triathlon and he also got rid of
life’s triathlon and he also got rid of that word expectations to have
that word expectations to have
that word expectations to have expectations as two women fear to fear
expectations as two women fear to fear
expectations as two women fear to fear losing something you don’t have or have
losing something you don’t have or have
losing something you don’t have or have or will something you want the other
or will something you want the other
or will something you want the other thing is is that to get something that
thing is is that to get something that
thing is is that to get something that you want a couple years ago I woke up
you want a couple years ago I woke up
you want a couple years ago I woke up one morning and I thought it was seeing
one morning and I thought it was seeing
one morning and I thought it was seeing better I know I suddenly went what the
better I know I suddenly went what the
better I know I suddenly went what the what’s that all about
what’s that all about
what’s that all about followed by a little sense of
followed by a little sense of
followed by a little sense of disappointment I actually sat back and
disappointment I actually sat back and
disappointment I actually sat back and said where does this come from right
said where does this come from right
said where does this come from right you’d do anything to get your vision
you’d do anything to get your vision
you’d do anything to get your vision back your hearing back be independent
back your hearing back be independent
back your hearing back be independent drive again and then I realized that I
drive again and then I realized that I
drive again and then I realized that I had changed if I had given this talk 15
had changed if I had given this talk 15
had changed if I had given this talk 15 years ago it would have been filled with
years ago it would have been filled with
years ago it would have been filled with resentments of all the people that
resentments of all the people that
resentments of all the people that turned their back on me but today it’s
turned their back on me but today it’s
turned their back on me but today it’s filled with gratitude the proverbial
filled with gratitude the proverbial
filled with gratitude the proverbial kick in the stomach was the kick in the
kick in the stomach was the kick in the
kick in the stomach was the kick in the pants I needed to get back on my feet I
pants I needed to get back on my feet I
pants I needed to get back on my feet I also learned that I changed how I pray I
also learned that I changed how I pray I
also learned that I changed how I pray I used to pray to get my vision of my
used to pray to get my vision of my
used to pray to get my vision of my hearing loss back but today my prayers
hearing loss back but today my prayers
hearing loss back but today my prayers are to give me the strength to get
are to give me the strength to get
are to give me the strength to get through my day with life on life’s terms
through my day with life on life’s terms
through my day with life on life’s terms and please do the same for my loved ones
and please do the same for my loved ones
and please do the same for my loved ones give us this day our daily bread I also
give us this day our daily bread I also
give us this day our daily bread I also pray to have the courage to face my
pray to have the courage to face my
pray to have the courage to face my fears on a daily basis and they finally
fears on a daily basis and they finally
fears on a daily basis and they finally pray to keep the door of my past open
pray to keep the door of my past open
pray to keep the door of my past open just a little bit so when life gets hard
just a little bit so when life gets hard
just a little bit so when life gets hard and it does get hard I can look at my
and it does get hard I can look at my
and it does get hard I can look at my experiences and know that no matter how
experiences and know that no matter how
experiences and know that no matter how heavy the weight will be on my shoulders
heavy the weight will be on my shoulders
heavy the weight will be on my shoulders I will not crumble when it had a reflect
I will not crumble when it had a reflect
I will not crumble when it had a reflect upon the future this is a tough one it’s
upon the future this is a tough one it’s
upon the future this is a tough one it’s a tough one cuz nobody can predict
a tough one cuz nobody can predict
a tough one cuz nobody can predict what’s going to happen tomorrow but I
what’s going to happen tomorrow but I
what’s going to happen tomorrow but I hope that by sharing my experiences
hope that by sharing my experiences
hope that by sharing my experiences knowing that you can look at your own
knowing that you can look at your own
knowing that you can look at your own experience is that there is hope for a
experience is that there is hope for a
experience is that there is hope for a seriously good tomorrow it’s within each
seriously good tomorrow it’s within each
seriously good tomorrow it’s within each and every one of us I thank you
and every one of us I thank you
and every one of us I thank you [Applause]
”
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