Fred Frank

I was 37 years old and at the top of my careers, national and international recruiting, when this happened to me. Twenty years ago I contracted a bacterial infection and was hospitalized. I was diagnosed incorrectly, medicated incorrectly and lapsed into a coma for two and one half months. That one sentence seems an inadequate way to describe an event that was so profound for my entire family and me. My wife will go to heaven, no questions asked. My oldest son, at the age of twelve, had to become the "man" of the house. My income had disappeared.

Two and one half months in a coma means that everything atrophied. When I came out of it I had to learn to do everything again; even breathing and talking.

I was in rehabilitation therapy for countless months in the hopes of getting back into society. And as soon as I could, I began to volunteer for whatever was in front of me, including coordinating the building of dugouts for my sons' baseball team. I am a doer an activist.

Eleven years later, I was able to get a job with the Connecticut Independent Living Center of Fairfield County. Today I am Lt. Governor of Division 24 Kiwanis, Vice President of the CT Association of Centers for Independent Living, and a member of other civic organizations.

I know I serve as a role model for people with disabilities because I haven't let mine stop me. I believe I am giving back. Personal integrity has been an important asset but eighty percent of my come back had to do with malpractice outcomes. When my case was litigated, there was no damage cap. A legislated cap would have made my emergence as a contributor to our society impossible. When it comes to integrity, the medical profession must do a better job policing itself and acknowledge mistakes when they happen. Otherwise the victim pays twice.