Acknowledged a Man: Survivor of Assault in the YMCA Hardcover - 1999 - 1st Edition

From the publisher

This is the true story of a young man, brutally beaten about the head and dismissed by the medical establishment as a lost, pathetic cause. It is also the story of a young man severely brain injured and championed by his parents, siblings, friends and outstanding professionals, who goes on to forge a life of inspiration and meaning. Nick was in the YMCA when he was attacked by a man with a baseball bat. The doctors who first saw Nick were over-whelmed by his injuries and held out little hope that he would improve. His parents would not accept that verdict. They SUED the YMCA and with this book are alerting the public of the fact that the YMCA does NOT have national standards that are set for all local branches. The National YMCA does NOT supervise or control any programs run in any branch of the YMCA. By making this information public knowledge it is their belief that the National YMCA will be forced to change its policies. They scoured their area to find doctors, nurses, therapists and equipment. This is the story of a 20-year battle with a cynical, sometimes cruel medical establishment, with a convoluted, influence driven criminal justice system; and with an irresponsible, self-indulgent national and local YMCA. The battle takes over their lives. But the return is immense: their son survives -- more than survives. He participates in life as a gentle, wise, endearing man. Nick's incredible will to live, unceasing spirit and amazing grace under conditions most of us can't even imagine are awesome and inspiring