How I Became a Tech Whiz with a Medical History Plot Twist

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Personal and Professional Background

Hey there, I’m a 51-year-old IT pro and programmer. I’ve been knee-deep in tech since 1990. Yep, long before everyone had a computer in their pocket. Back then, I ran a BBS. That’s Bulletin Board System for you young'uns.

I've always been a tech enthusiast. Think Friendster, MySpace, Google, Yahoo, and YouTube. I was on them before they were cool. In 2010, I even started using YouTube for marketing. Talk about being ahead of the curve!

Key Milestones

Early Career and Business Ventures

Back in 2003, I founded Screen Text Software (STS). My focus? Outsourcing to the Philippines and diving into internet marketing. Fast forward to 2009, and I was tangled in financial challenges. I needed to send money overseas, but banks thought I was up to no good.

Enter Bitcoin. I discovered it while searching for alternatives, becoming an early adopter. This little pivot kept my business afloat and opened new doors for me.

YouTube Marketing & Online Presence

In 2010, I jumped on YouTube for marketing. It was a time when most folks were still figuring out how to upload their cat videos. This step helped me build a solid online presence and stayed ahead of the game.

Health Challenges & Resilience

Life-Changing Medical Events

In September 2013, my life took a wild turn. While in the Philippines, I had an aortic dissection. It’s as scary as it sounds and required immediate surgery. Then in March 2015, I underwent open-heart surgery at Cedars-Sinai in California and had a stroke.

The stroke left me with right hemiparesis, aphasia, and dysarthria. Walking, speaking, and typing became tough. Yet, I wasn't about to let that stop me.

Overcoming Challenges with Technology

Thanks to tech, I found ways to keep communicating. OpenAI helps me write when words escape me. ElevenLabs is my sidekick for verbal communication. Together, they help me find my voice and stay connected.

Current Life & Interests

Today, I’m married to Geraldine, and we have five awesome kids: Angelic, Andrew, Abigail, Aidan, and Asher. Despite my health hurdles, I continue as an IT consultant, crafting tech solutions for businesses.

My interests? They’re all about AI, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin and Cardano, to be exact), software development, and exploring tech innovations. Life keeps throwing curveballs, but I keep swinging. That’s how we Gen X dads roll!

Categories

Life Family

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