So much going on in 2015

2015 has been a great year for me so far in my personal, athletic, and professional life.  So what's going on?  First, lets talk about work.  My former physical therapist and friend Kelly suggested I email my resume to his manager regarding a Medical Social Worker position that is opening up at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland for the Acute Rehabilitation department.  With overwhelming support from people I knew through referrals and recommendations, and of course "blowing them out of the water" in my interview, I was offered the job.  This is as close as it can get for me for a dream job, the only way it can be better if I worked with pediatrics in acute rehab.  When I went back to school to be a medical social worker, I had a goal to work with others with disability and to work for a rehabilitation unit.  Well, at Summit I will be able to work with individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and other diagnosis in a rehab setting...PERFECT!  I only graduated from San Jose State University in May 2013 and did not expect to land this type of position for at least 5-10 years.  What's even better than working with this population?  The HUGE raise and free medical benefits...AWESOME.  I start this job in mid April.

Athletically I have a new challenged that I wanted to do.  This year I turn 35 and I was considering what I can do to improve my health even more than the usual sports I am doing...triathlons!  I contacted the Oakland Triathlon Club and got a great response from the president of the club.  With his support and the teams support I am training to complete my first para-triathlon this summer.  Most events will have a 1/2 mile swim, about 13 mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run.  This is going to be an amazing journey.  This is my version of a mid-life crisis, HAHA!  Being healthy is the main goal but depending on how well I can do, this might be my new sport/lifestyle.

Personally, we have decided to move onward with the IVF process.  Due to my spinal cord injury, I am not able to conceive naturally so we will need assistance.  Details will come in the near future as I agreed with my wife that I would not publish anything until later.