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Michael Nykanen: Here is my story:
My life prior to my accident was going just perfectly. I was in my teenage years. I had a girlfriend, good job, and many friends. I was young and held "the bull by the horns!" My life circled around my job as I was a very young manager of a popular restaurant and bar (manager at 19!). I could basically get all the booze I wanted, for free. My girlfriend of two years worked for the same company. I would seem to be drawn to people that would drink. I would drink more than the average teenager. I was trying to put myself through school. I started taking a science program, then got promoted to manager and switched from university to S.A.I.T.. I was taking business at S.A.I.T.. Took one year of it then, after a day and night of drinking, I had my accident at the "ripe old age" of twenty-one!
My life, since my accident, has changed as a result of it. Obviously (as in most cases) I don't see my friends that I had pre-accident. The girl I was seeing has her own life now. Actually, all the friends I had pre-accident, I don't see anymore. As far as my job goes, I'm a writer now. I would often write as a hobby before my accident, now it's my full-time job. I'm thankful to my writing because I can't manage (for obvious reasons) a restaurant now.
My writing is a good outlet for me. I spent a year and a half in three different hospitals. While I was in my third hospital, I would write music and poetry daily. I've included a tune that I wrote and had another musician perform. Please listen to it, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
As I've said before, the writing of music is a savior for me. I write for "The Voice of Rehab." It's a monthly publication at URSA (272-7722). I'm limited to a hard copy of lyrics with "The Voice of Rehab." I'm primarily a lyricist, I leave the actual music writing to the particular musician.
Sure my accident has had it's ups and downs. My accident was June 4, 1988. As with everything, I look at the positives. My life I had before was consumed by alcohol. I don't drink anymore, I write when my emotions get the better of me.
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