User:Pl2623

'''I was born in Havana, Cuba and I came to this country in 1960 with my parents and basically the clothes on our back. We lived in Elizabeth, NJ for five years, went to four different schools in those five years and then moved to Baltimore, MD in the winter of 1965. Next summer I saw the Orioles win the pennant!!!. That's when I knew this was going to be home for good. No, I didn't float here on a boat or was picked up by the Coast Guard or anything like that. My family and I actually boarded a plane in September of 1960 and landed in Miami to a whole new life. Perfect timing, may I add, as the embargo hit less than two years later. I'm not one of these people that try to circumvent the laws and fly via Canada and stuff like that. But I'm hoping the embargo is lifted soon because after 47 years I definitely would like to visit Havana just to see what I can possibly remember from my childhood.

'''In 2008 I resigned from my job of over 30 years, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, lost my health insurance and joined many in these trying times who may be facing foreclosure in the future. What keeps me going more than anything else is the fact that since October of 2007 I have lost 88 pounds and have managed to keep it off. At age 56 I have no health issues and have never felt better. I have realized the importance of knowing that nothing is more important in your life than your health.''' '''