CASA de VIDA NUEVA

Our destination in Guadalajara was a place called Casa de Vida Nueva, or House of New Life. We had selected this particular "gimp-camp" (as the guys so affectionately referred to them) at random from the Paraplegia News (PN), the official publication of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). There were a half a dozen places in Guadalajara that regularly ran classified ads in the PN. They all tended to sound alike: 365 days of sunshine, skilled personal care attendants, American-style food, beautiful gardens, etc.
Earl had made the reservations reluctantly, since he had wanted to go to Hawaii. We had taken two previous trips together, both times to Las Vegas, but somehow I convinced Earl we should try Mexico. I just had to see for myself what Vinnie and some of the other guys from West Roxbury were so excited about. Little did I realize that I was about to enter into a special place in time. ... www.QuadMexico.com

BOOK SIGNING on Sunday, December 3rd

The Lennar/US Homes book signing is rapidly approaching. If you have never been to that area of our ever growing Valley of the Sun --- or checked the place out, as I did this afternoon --- I'd suggest that you follow the directions given by AZ Author Association President Toby Heathcotte (which I'll print below). My spur-of-the-moment fact-finding (mis)adventure started when I "thought" that I was in the general area. After finding out that there are enough mountains to make 35th, 43rd, and 59th Avenues "disappear" --- while wending my way through maze after maze of new home construction --- I somehow found myself at the south side of 51st Ave & Happy Valley Road. Piece of cake! Until I saw the rush hour traffic going wizzing by east and west on Happy Valley Road. Even if one could attempt to continue north on 51st Ave, it would be akin to crossing I-17 from one side to the other (slight exageration, slight). Anyway, unless there is rush hour traffic on Happy Valley Road on Saturday's and Sunday's, following the directions should get you there and where you want to be. Hope everyone has a fun time!

Directions: Take I-17 north to Happy Valley Road. Turn west. You’ll pass through round-abouts on either side of the freeway entrance. Avoid going off onto an access road. Go west on Happy Valley Road three miles to 51st Avenue. Turn north and follow the signs to U S Homes.

Legacy Homes are at 51st Avenue and Range Mule Road. Turn right.
Signature Homes are a bit farther north at 51st Avenue and Cortez.
Estates and U S Homes Sales Office are a bit farther north on 51st Avenue. Turn right on El Cortez Avenue.

REVIEW FROM 'South-of-the-Border'

http://www.guadalajarareporter.com/fullbooks.cfm?section=Books&id=151

QUADALAJARA ---The Utopia That Once Was

An Inspirational Memoir of a Place, a Time and the People
Vietnam veteran Jack Tumidajski writes a very moving account of his personal journey both in a wheelchair and in his soul. The real story is however, all about a place and group of people he found. His inspirational and historic book QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was brings to light a history that most Americans were not even aware of. I know this was all new to me.In order to financially survive and become truly independent, a group of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans along with other quadriplegics and paraplegics moved to Mexico; where they formed their own cultural womb of fellowship in the midst of a true paradise. This band of brothers (and even a few sisters) formed the heart of a new social order that flourished and grew to be something much deeper than and relevant than any of them would have imagined.It is kind of an odd quirk of "fate" that Jack survived without as much as a scratch his entire tour of duty only to be seriously injured in a simple auto accident shortly after he was home on leave from the war. But I do not believe that there are truly any accidents in life; and that our fate is really more of a life mission and not some random spin on the roulette wheel of chance happenstance. So, one could assume that Jack was preordained and destined to head south and meet these people and become involved in their way of life. More importantly, he saved their personal histories in this book!The author does a wonderful job preserving the history of these people and this subculture. Thanks to him, future generations will not forget this American community that once was so vibrant and active in the heart of Mexico. Jack shares not only his life and lessons but opens up stories about others and sheds some light on their experiences and memories.You will never read a book like this. This is unique history that he makes both entertaining and inspiring for the reader. The MWSA gives his book its highest rating of FIVE STARS! I personally recommend this book to read. A MWSA 2006 Distinguished Book Award Winner!
Bill McDonald,President, Military Writers Society of America

THANKSGIVING DAY

THANSGIVING DAY --- I hope that everyone is enjoying (or did enjoy) this day with family & friends or helping others. My thoughts and prayers go out to those serving our country during these difficult times. My thoughts also wander back to a different time when a number of former Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force veterans --- paraplegics and quadriplegics --- rolled the dice and gambled on an uncertain future South-of-the-Border. They left behind family, friends, and the security of hospitals or shut-in living looking for something else. Whether they realized it or not, they were about to enter into a special place and moment in time. John Zackowski, Ken Gulrud, Everett Vorrie, Frank Stoppiello and Jim Beletti knew nothing of one another. The only thing that they had in common was that they all had served their country. After they traveled to that special place in time --- Quadalajara --- they had much in common. Some crossed paths while there, some stayed in the same community house as others had before them, while all knew someone who knew someone who was friends with someone in this unique fraternity of paras and quads, men and women. I mentioned John, Ken, Everett, Frank and Jim because of something else that they have in common: family members --- sons, cousins, granddaughters and nephews --- who have recently contacted me through my website, http://www.quadmexico.com/, asking for or offering information/photos of loved ones. The wonders of the Internet....... I personally never met John Zackowski but have spoken to his wife and emailed his granddaughter, never met Ken Gulrud but have exchanged emails with his nephew, have/had many friends of friends of Everett Vorrie, know Frank Stoppiello very well, and knew Jim Beletti as a fellow Mexico PVA member and friend. I'm thankful for having been part of this unique community that spanned some three decades, and for having had the privilege of meeting and knowing so many of those whose lives were changed by the challenges and opportunities that it presented.

JERRY FESENMEYER

JERRY FESENMEYER took his first trip to Quadalajara in 1965. Fesenmeyer was neither a "Cold Warrior" nor someone trying to escape the cold weather, although no stranger to cold weather, having grown up in Iowa. Jerry was a World War II veteran who had been shot during combat in Okinawa in May 1945. "I couldn't tell you what day I was shot, I was out before I hit the ground. They built a hospital, of sorts, over the hole I fell into. It was the second or third week in May. I was later transferred to Corona Naval Hospital. There were forty-two of us with spinal cord injuries on two wards. Nobody knew nothing about nothing." Indeed, most people with spinal cord injuries prior to World War II died within a year or two. Fortunately for Fesenmeyer his paralysis was at L1 (first Lumbar vertebrae), and the medical community was now responding to the growing need for a better understanding of spinal cord injury.
A couple of years of hospitalization left the para from Iowa unprepared for what to expect. "You couldn't go anywhere. You couldn't find a place to live. Hell, nothing was fixed for wheelchairs."
After bounding around different hospitals, from Southern California to Chicago, Fesenmeyer wound up at the Birmingham VA in Van Nuys, CA. Upon his discharge the good shape para managed to survive--and thrive--post SCI. "I was married three times," he confided. "I had a number of jobs, mostly in electronics. I remember being hospitalized in Hawaii before they brought me to Corona. After my third divorce, I figured it would be a good time to quit my job and go lie on the beach!" From page 169 QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was www.QuadMexico.com

KEITH ZIEGLER

KEITH ZIEGLER was one of those few quadriplegics who went on to college after sustaining a spinal cord injury in 1960 at the age of twenty-one. Ziegler, another "Cold Warrior" who had earlier been stationed with the Air Force in Morocco, spent the next six months hospitalized in Denver before being transferred to the Long Beach VA. With the help of his parents, Keith returned to his now-modified and wheelchair accessible home in Colorado, and to an uncertain future in higher education. After three years, it became apparent that Ziegler's pursuit of a college English degree was becoming increasingly more difficult. His parents could only do so much, and full-time attendant care for a quadriplegic student on his own was way beyond his financial means.
In 1965, Ziegler read an ad in the Paraplegia News about this place in Mexico ...From page 165 Keith Ziegler became one of the Mexico Chapter PVA's most dedicated workers. His service to his fellow paralyzed vets and to the community spanned two decades. In addition to being Mexico PVA's president a half dozen times, Ziegler volunteered to be chapter Service Officer, took a few turns as Sombrero News editor, represented the chapter at the national organization of the Paralyzed Veterans of America's annual convention, and kept tabs on the PVA Clubhouse (among other things --- like being a husband and father of two growing girls). Keith contributed much to my efforts in writing QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was by supplying old documents and photos, as well as, the valuable information he provided in his interviews. In addition to losing a friend and former co-worker when Keith passed away this May, I selfishly felt cheated since his passing was only days after the book's long-delayed release. Rest in Peace, KZ

MY BEST FRIEND

TOM KIRCH was my best friend. Tom was everyone's best friend. I first met him in 1973 in Quadalajara, although I'd seen him in the Mexico PVA Clubhouse poker room a few months earlier as I pushed by the open doorway on my way to BINGO. I was advised to "stay away" from the Big Game. High stakes poker! The skinny mustached quad had stacks of multicolored chip in front of him. Although a penny-ante poker player myself, I had never seen yellow, black, light blue and green poker chips in my life. By the summer of '73 I was a regular at the Big Game. As fate would have it, Tom's wife JoAnn and my girlfriend Maria (one of many, many Maria's in Mexico) were each leaving town for about a week to visit their respective families in Minnesota and Tijuana. Tom and I did that male-bonding thing for the entire week. We went somewhere in-and-around Quadalajara and did something different each day. The skinny quad from Kellogg, Minesota and the equally skinny quad from Pawtucket, RI would remain close friends for the duration of our time South-of-the-Border. In January 1981, after much discussion about the future of living in Quadalajara and the possibility of returning stateside, we made our decisions. Tom and his attendant, Javier, left to scout out the Phoenix, AZ area. I and my attendant, Juan, left the next day. Same destination! Nineteen years ago today, Tom Kirch passed away. Rest in peace, my friend. ***THOMAS H. KIRCH: January 26, 1933 - November 17, 1987***

NOVEMBER --- A Month For Giving Thanks!

NOVEMBER IS known for two of our country's more significant holidays --- Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day. First, we give thanks to our veterans for their service and sacrifice. Second, we give thanks to GOD for the many blessing that we so often take for granted. For some, Veterans Day is merely a day off and Thanksgiving is bonus coverage of all-day long NFL football games. But that's OK. Americans fought and died to secure GOD's gift of freedom. Freedom to go to a ceremony or a parade --- or not. Freedom to gather with family and friends for a special feast or volunteer to serve dinner to the hungry --- or not. And since we're smack-dab in the middle of both of these special days, why not adopt a meaningful title for the month. NOVEMBER --- A Month For Giving Thanks! Funny thing about veterans though, most appreciate the recognition but also shy away from the 'Thanks' thing. They were merely doing what other patriotic Americans had done before them --- their fathers and grandfathers, and more increasingly, their sisters and mothers. I'm thankful that I had the freedom to write this. Anyone who happens to run across it has the freedom to read it --- or not. They have the freedom to think about it --- or not. For someone wondering about the number of shopping days til Christmas, you might want to check out a different BLOG --- or not!

JoANN KIRCH

JOANN RAWAY first experienced Quadalajara in November 1964. "I went on a three week vacation to Las Fuentes with my sister Luella and our friend, Roselyn Mahowald." While Charlie Newbold and Bronx VA buddy Joe Cicero were discovering their newfound freedoms at George Ray's Place, the three women from Minnesota simultaneously vacationed in Las Fuentes. "Paul Patino and Larry Kegan ran the place," JoAnn recalled. That was where JoAnn initially met fellow Minnesotan Tom Kirch, along with Joe Darichuk and Senors Patino and Kegan. "We were ready to return home when we saw the living conditions at Las Fuentes--and the dining room. I can still remember the plastic plates with cigarette burns." Apparently, guys (especially those who escaped institutional living) tended to overlook such minor details. ...
...What began as a three week vacation to sunny Quadalajara turned into a seven year long-distance relationship. On September 12, 1971 JoAnn Raway - from Hastings, MN - married Tom Kirch - from Kellogg, MN. From page 162 --- JOANN KIRCH www.QuadMexico.com

CHARLIE NEWBOLD

CHARLIE NEWBOLD was 23 years old when an auto mishap left him a quadriplegic in October of 1961. "The accident happened in Spain," he explained. "I was actually stationed in France and should have returned stateside, but had my Army tour extended by three months when the Berlin Wall went up." ...
... Asked about when he thought about checking out Quadalajara, Newbold replied, "My friend Joe Cicero is the one who really pushed us to go." Charlie Newbold was in the same situation as many. "I grew up in the Bronx. My mother lived in a three-story walk-up." Not exactly wheelchair friendly accommodations. "I'd never have gotten out on my own. We had guys living at the hospital for thirteen, fourteen, and even seventeen years. After a while, you just figured that was the way it was going to be." From page 160 www.QuadMexico.com

EDDIE LUCIER

EDDIE LUCIER was injured while serving with the Army Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 1961. The injury left Lucier a C5/C6 quadriplegic. After a medical discharge from the Army, the young man from Warwick, RI, was transferred for further treatment at a VA rehabilitation center, close to home in West Roxbury, MA. ...
... With rehabilitation behind him and an uncertain future ahead of him, Lucier --- as some of his hospital buddies already had --- opted to check out a place in Mexico that promoted freedom and a new beginning for paraplegics and quadriplegics. After contracting with one of the West Roxbury hospital attendants to accompany him, Lucier was on his way to spend Christmas of 1963 at George Ray's place in Quadalajara. From page 155, QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was www.QuadMexico.com

THE PIONEERS

GEORGE E. RAY --- Paraplegic Paradise Now Open in Mexico, by George Ray
"I have been living in Mexico for the past year and a half. During that time I had had but one dream: a place where paraplegics and quadriplegics could stay and receive personal services. That dream has been realized.
A vacation and retirement spot especially designed for the para and quad is now open and operating at Guadalajara, Mexico. It is a modern motel equipped with every modern convenience: comfortable bedrooms, convenient bathrooms, large dining-room particularly adapted to wheelchairs, beautiful lounge, and a swimming pool.
It was built by Mr. Paul J. De Lecour, a retired building contractor from Minnesota, at the suggestion of this writer.
The San Jose del Tajo has 24-hour service for the ones who need help with personal services, getting in and out of bed and in and out of cars.
Guadalajara was chosen because of its year-round temperate climate. It is never too hot or too cold for the para or quad with circulation or perspiration problems.
San Jose del Tajo is located ten minutes from the city. It is modern, clean and boasts a population of over a half million. The motel is only 30 minutes from the world renowned Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, and the picturesque artist colonies of Ajijic and Jocotepec." From page 141 www.QuadMexico.com

THE EXPLORERS

JAMES SEYBOLD --- Countless PVA members were surely mesmerized while turning their May 1955 issue of their Paraplegia News to page four: "Mexico, a Paradise for Paraplegics," by James Seybold.
"Did you have a hard and trying winter?" the article begins. "And you Californians; did the smog and fog drive you to distraction? Your worries are now over, for here, in Mexico City, is the ideal retreat... Until you have actually seen it, it is hard to realize how beautifully modern, and how far ahead in architectural design Mexico, D.F. is." Seybold touts the "spring-like climate" and states that "the city was once the bottom of a lake" accounting for its wheelchair-friendly level landscape. From page 134 www.QuadMexico.com

VETERANS DAY!

Today I join all Americans in honoring those who have served our country. I've had the privilege to have known and worked with many veterans over the years. They have been my mentors, my friends and my brothers. Many of these were paralyzed veterans who continued to serve their fellow veterans and their communities many long years after becoming paraplegics and quadriplegics. Thanks to the sacrifices of so many unknown and almost forgotten others, being a paralyzed wheelchair user isn't a death sentence or the end of a productive life --- just the beginning of a new one filled with opportunity, hope and challenging adventures to explore!

BOOK REVIEW - Military Writers Society of America

Quadalajara – The Utopia That Once Was
Author: Jack Tumidajski
Publisher: Brundage Publishing
Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of MWSA
An Inspirational Memoir of a Place, a Time and the People
Vietnam veteran Jack Tumidajski writes a very moving account of his personal journey both in a wheelchair and in his soul. The real story is however, all about a place and group of people he found. His inspirational and historic book "QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was” brings to light a history that most Americans were not even aware of. I know this was all new to me.
In order to financially survive and become truly independent, a group of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans along with other quadriplegics and paraplegics moved to Mexico; where they formed their own cultural womb of fellowship in the midst of a true paradise. This band of brothers (and even a few sisters) formed the heart of a new social order that flourished and grew to be something much deeper than and relevant than any of them would have imagined.
It is kind of an odd quirk of “fate” that Jack survived without as much as a scratch his entire tour of duty only to be seriously injured in a simple auto accident shortly after he was home on leave from the war. But I do not believe that there are truly any accidents in life; and that our fate is really more of a life mission and not some random spin on the roulette wheel of chance happenstance. So, one could assume that Jack was preordained and destined to head south and meet these people and become involved in their way of life. More importantly, he saved their personal histories in this book!
The author does a wonderful job preserving the history of these people and this sub-culture. Thanks to him, future generations will not forget this American community that once was so vibrant and active in the heart of Mexico. Jack shares not only his life and lessons but opens up stories about others and sheds some light on their experiences and memories.
You will never read a book like this. This is unique history that he makes both entertaining and inspiring for the reader. The Military Writers Society of America gives his book its highest rating of FIVE STARS! I personally recommend this book to read.
A MWSA 2006 Distinguished Book Award Winner!

BOOK SIGNING --- AZ Authors Association

THIS MORNING I received an email from the Arizona Authors Association (www.AZauthors.com) inviting me to attend my first book signing on December 3rd. As I looked at the names of other authors who would also be there I noticed one name from years gone by (Actually, 1995). The instructor of a class titled, "Writing Your Own Autobiography," would also be in attendance. I remember sitting in the back of the classroom thinking to myself who am I to be writing an autobiography? I then went home and wrote what would eventually evolve as Chapter Eight: Casa de Vida Nueva --- the very chapter that served as a vehicle to incorporate much of the history of an almost forgotten moment and place in time. Don't know if she will remember me but I am sure that she will be pleased to know that she played a part in helping me preserve a unique piece of history in QUADALAJARA --- The Utopia That Once Was (www.QuadMexico.com).

DAY ONE!

DAY ONE --- I'm about to embark on a journey from here to I-don't-know-where. Kinda like when I hopped on a plane destined for Vietnam. Kinda like when I hopped on a plane (four and a half years later --- not as a lean, mean, fighting machine --- but as a scared quadriplegic afraid to leave the house) destined for a place called Casa de Vida Nueva in Guadalajara. Mexico!