Not sure if I could have asked for a better birthday present. This morning I received a text from Paul Zancanelli V sharing that he was going to try to skate tonight for the first time since March, 2023 when he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately I couldn’t be there as a bday dinner stood in the way, but my dear friend Dave Carr made sure he was there in my place.
It truly takes a village as Paul navigated the Promenade ice surrounded by those who love him most. Smiles, tears and cheers were in abundance as Paul took another giant step in his road to recovery.
It was a powerful milestone but what moved me the most was that Jonny Landis was there to support his friend once again. Jonny also suffered a TBI and, like Paul, is part of our Dawg Nation family. Afterwards, Jonny sent me this note:
“Paul is the &$#%ing man! If you let him be himself and he is around me, he can do anything!! Every time I see him he tells me I’m his best friend and I always tell him he’s mine!!”
How cool is that?!!
Way to go Paul, and thank you Jonny for also being the &$#%ing man!!!
