Posted on July 17 at 7:20 p.m.

I have known Steve Zandy for all of his 38 years, growing up in West Chester, PA. He was our neighbor and close childhood friend to my younger brother Mike. My six siblings and parents always considered Steve the greatest of people--he is a lifetime friend. He made one mistake in his life, and it cost him. Enough said.

Or did it?--because what none of you know is how Steve persevered throough his rehabilition of both his mind and body. The strength he showed as a 15 year old, and continued for years, is the most inspirational example of faith, courage, commitment I have ever witnessed in my life. If you saw it, you would know--Steve has come so far, on his own hard work, his own merit, his own perseverence.

And Steve took his tragedy and had the courage to speak to thousands of high school students about his mistake in and around Philadelphia and the surrounding Suburbs--basically, he took the ONE mistake he made--as a child--and became a man--almost over night.

How many readers could imagine what that must have been like?.---a 15 year old, in a coma for months, who had to literally relearn everything. And he did it, and he did it well!!! That is success--there is nothing I will ever be able ot do in my life, and I doubt many of the readers will be able ot do either, that comes remotely close to the level of success Steve Zandy has achieved--which ahs made him the person he is today.

As Steve entered his 20's and 30's, he looked to do one thing as a mission--help others. Steve is a born leader, we saw it as a child. He also was probably the greatest young athlete I have ever known, and to see this article, and him persevering as an athlete, reminds me of the days he shined playing football and baseball--well done Steve.

He is also one of the smartest people I have ever met, and engaging. If someone who meets Steve and can get past their own inpatience, and selfishness of being 'better than' others, than they will have an opportunity.

For the 23 years Steve has couragously battled his injuries, I often asked myself why God did this--a one time mistake. And I look at Steve Zandy, in that picture today, and I now know why:

God gave Steve, and people who afflicted like him the power to fight, persevere, stay positive, and show the rest of us who have made millions of mistakes how to LIVE. To Live the right way...

I hope all the readers in Marco Island have a chance ot actually meet Steve Zandy some day, I promise you one thing: the experience will be a gift for you--a gift from God.

Keep up the good work Steve and 'well done' from all of the Regan's--your friends. Keep on positively effecting the lives of folks one at a time, and people who say things like the idiot Hourigan above do not deserve the pure privelege of meeting someone like you.

And you are not just a good person, you are a great person--one of the greatest I have ever met!!!

Ambrose Regan
New York, NY

On Marco’s bikeman is an inspirational story