

"My game is not a sport. It's the game of life. I have an autoimmune disease called myositis. My treatment includes oral prednisone and monthly infusions of IVIG. When I first got sick almost 20 years ago I was 44. I was an elementary school teacher but had to leave due to extreme weakness in my arms and legs. I could barely walk or bathe myself. I refused to just give in to the disease and view my life as over. "














"As a teenage athlete, I suffered from chronic shoulder dislocations. After TWO unsuccessful Putty-Platt procedures, I dislocated during a semi-pro football game and was taken to NY Hospital's Emergency Room. After many unsuccessful attempts to reduce my shoulder, the decision was made to sedate me as the attempts were very painful. After meeting with the late Dr. John Marshall, the then NY Giants Orthopedic Physician, he decided to take me on as a patient. We discussed the new concept of Sports Medicine and I would be one of his first patients. "

"I separated my right shoulder in 1995, the Dr. said the only that would help was time. By 2011, not being able to reach across my desk at work to answer the phone, I sought help. The Drs. out on eastern LI kept giving me cortisone shots, to no avail. Dr. Beth Shubin Stein performed the surgery. I was on my way home 5 hrs later. I have not had such range of motion in 16 years, now with little or no pain."

"About three years ago, my shoulder started dislocating when using it. I always wanted to get the surgery, but was scared. It wasn't half as bad as I thought I was gonna be and little did I know I was surfing in 2 months."





