Letters for Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017

• Thank you for saving my life • Hawaii, California are a lot alike

Thank you for saving my life

To the beach goers and other angels at Brennecke’s on Jan. 15:

Thank you from the deepest wells of my heart’s gratitude for saving my life by helping my daughter pull my paralyzed body out of the ocean after the beach break slammed my head into a rock. Thank you for knowing to stabilize my damaged spine Your heroic efforts likely preserved my future quality-of-life.

My apologies to the kind lady I asked to lift my arm because I couldn’t feel it; I’m sorry if my scream of alarm about being paralyzed was upsetting. The thought of my lifeless arm in that moment still haunts me.

Thank you to the EMT who just happened to be driving by and stopped to give me a ride to the hospital; your professionalism and presence were deeply comforting.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Wilcox Medical Center; your expert trauma care and spot-on diagnosis (Central Cord Trauma) started me on the path of healing. Your kindness and thoughtfulness soothed my soul and calmed my fear.

Thank you, John and Diana Asher, my Kauai friends/hosts. You took such great care of me. I love you!

Thank you, Karly, my beloved daughter. Of course you heard my cries for help in what I’m certain will end up being my life’s most vulnerable moments. (I certainly hope so.)

I’m writing this five Sundays from the day of my accident. Over these 35 trying days I slowly regained my ability to walk, to bathe/dress myself, to brush my teeth, use a pen and a keyboard, tend to my garden, drive a car and now — amazing grace — I’m slowly returning to my hands-on healing career. I’m infinitely grateful for knowing that I will be able to support myself in what I consider meaningful, useful and personally satisfying service.

I’m not 100 percent cured after five weeks, I still have a long way to go; but I am extremely fortunate to know some of Earth’s top healers with access to the most cutting edge tools and techniques for recovering from spinal injury, so I am expecting a full recovery.

I whole-heartedly intend to emerge a better person from having gone through this ordeal and regaining use of my arms and legs, a man committed to making meaningful societal contributions.

Thank you, Kauai, for your aloha, for changing my life for the better!

John Zlatic, San Diego

Hawaii, California are a lot alike

Craig Waldvogel (TGI, Feb. 22) has broken the code about California and Hawaii. They spend and spend more and more for the “feel good” and what garners votes.

Further, California doesn’t maintain dams because there is no ribbon-cutting ceremony for the politicians to flash their smiles for the cameras.

Being a senior citizen and native Californian who has made many month-long visits to Kauai, the comparison is obvious.

Wally Roberts, San Clemente, Calif.