Notes to Jacqui ─ A Polio Survivor's Thoughts to His Daughter

For years I have wanted to immortalize my thoughts as a handbook for my loving daughter Jacqui. Having been a polio survivor being stricken in 1953 at 7 months old, I had to learn much about survival, caring, adapting, loving, leading, and so much more. As one of the younger survivors of polio (vaccine came out a few months after I contracted this deadly and crippling disease) I naturally learned quickly about "odds" and statistics; which is to say they're meaningless if you are the one who falls on the wrong side of probability!!! I have survived many things in life and have achieved many things in life (polio survivors are known to be over achievers .... statistically of course). I have learned much along the way with both my successes and failures. The main thing I learned is how to beat the odds which turned out to be very simple; NEVER GIVE UP. This book is a compilation of various notes I want my daughter Jacqui to remember even when I'm long gone. My style of writing is free flowing for easy reading and understanding. The chapters in the book have no particular order be it chronological or otherwise. Instead they are in the order of my mood and inspiration at the time I sat down at my keyboard. I write from the heart as I approach all things in my life. My brain shows me the options but my heart makes the decision. This has proved to be a very effective approach and has made me successful in many ways. I live by a concept that I always knew but the great motivator Anthony Robbins coined or immortalized the best phrase that describes it all: "Live with Passion." So, buckle your seatbelts; put on your reading glasses; relax and enjoy. I waited and thought about this project for a long time so I hope you learn something and to my daughter, this is what I leave to you as the history of your dad and the "guide to life according to Pops."

Mr. Tomo has a lifetime of experiences that uniquely qualify him to write such a guide to life for his daughter, Jacqui, yet applicable to everyone. He survived a debillitating disease, Polio, which he contracted at 7 months of age and worked his way back from near death to become a rather talented and successful leader in the Healthcare IT Field. Along the way, Mr. Tomo studied at C.W. Post College where he received both a BS degree in Management and an MPA in Healthcare Administration. He also has certifications from NYU as a Systems Programmer and Analyst, LIU as a Paralegal, and Harvard where he studied Integrated Delivery Systems.

Among the numerous accomplishments and paths Ron has been on, he has been a Rock 'n Roll Lead Vocalist, an ambulance driver, a college Adjunct Professor, held several positions in healthcare IT including his current position as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at a major Long Island Hospital. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Computer Science Department of SUNY Farmingdale. He delivered one of the Keynote Addresses at their COCID Conference. Mr. Tomo speaks at various Radio Clubs and Professional Organizations.

Mr. Tomo also is a ham radio operator (KE2UK) first licensed in 1967 and an expert in Disaster Communications. He was the recipient of the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) 2010 International Humanitarian of the Year Award because of a lifetime of efforts in helping others through ham radio culminating in his Disaster Relief Mission to Haiti right after the 2010 deadly earthquake where Mr. Tomo set up emergency communications to several tent hospitals and helped operate the tent hospital at Bojeux Parc in Port-au-Prince. He also set up Digital Communications while in Haiti back to the US ARMY by running a WL2K PACTOR III HF Radio Station.

Ron is also a Commander in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary where he also works in communications, public affairs, member training, and more.

He has survived multiple surgeries including emergency spinal surgery in 2005 and has learned much about life through the countless diverse situations life has lead him to over the years.

Ron lives in North Bellmore, NY with his wife, Cari, and his Mini Dachshund Emma. He has one child, Jacquelyn (Jacqui) to whom this book was written for in the hope that she finds it useful in her life's journey.