Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I am a husband, father of three, dog owner, writer, and retired high school English teacher. I grew up in Northeast Philadelphia but have lived in Bucks County for over thirty-five years. My wife and I met when we were sixteen-years old in our 10th grade Spanish class, where she received A’s, and I received C’s. I blame her for my below average grades.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I was a high school English teach for seventeen years. I also coached varsity soccer and baseball. In 2013, I was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative brain condition called Ataxia that began to slowly impair my balance, motor skills, speech and mobility. In 2020, I retired from teaching and became a full time writer. I have a blog writeonfighton.org, I’ve published a post every Friday since 2015 about navigating life’s troubles with a clear mind, courageous spirit, a twinge of humor, and an open heart. I also have been writing books. My first book, “Bedtime Stories for the Living” is a memoir about trying to be a good father, a good husband, and overall good human while struggling with an incurably cruel disease. My second book is available for preorder now and will be released on 11/1/23. It’s called Ordinary Hero: The Power of Building Character One Step at a Time.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love writing stories about real people and the real human experience. An experience that is unique yet universal. Our stories testify our struggles. Our stories provide comfort and hope to others. Our stories remind us that we are beautifully human.
Q: What is a “Must do” for someone visiting our community?
Peddler’s Village
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
My disease makes traveling difficult. However, if could just be somewhere and have to endure the rigors of travel it would be Dyersville, Iowa to the “Field of Dreams” movie site. I would love playing baseball with my kids on that field.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
“Jaws” cemented my fear of being eaten alive. “The Office” cemented my fear of working in an office.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Accept that we are always changing. Make decisions for the person you want to become.
Q: What is your favorite band or music genre?
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Michael J Fox. Though our disease are different, they share similar neurological symptoms. I feel we would have a lot of things to talk about. Also, I would want to hear his thoughts on acceptance. His early retirement from acting to an active philanthropic life interests me. We would meet at Giuseppe’s for a Margherita pizza.
Q: What are some of your favorite things about our community?
The friendliness of the people. Holland is a good place full of genuine people who make you feel welcomed.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still writing. Still walking my dog. Still listening to “Thunder Road.”
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends of family may not know about you?
When I was twenty-five-year-old, I entered in a local, amateur stand-up comedian contest. I won the contest and won $1,000 dollars. A week later, I spent all the money on a big screen TV.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite holiday is Memorial Day because of baseball and the promise of summer.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My old baseball glove
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Warm, safe, comforting.
Q: Where can people find you and your business?
They can go to my website, http://writeonfighton.org/
Also, my new book is available for preorder now and will be released on 11/1/23. It’s called Ordinary Hero: The Power of Building Character One Step at a Time. Here’s the Preorder link: https://a.co/d/6M9BvYR.
