My Story
History
Childhood
The formative years
- Born in Stockton, CA in 1984 to Mother Shelene (age 14) and Father Mike (age 21)
- In 1990, Mike gains full custody; Mom takes me and my little brother (4 years my junior) to Washington
- 1994: Mom is arrested for child abduction and I am sent back to CA to live with Mike, a total stranger. Mom is sent to prison for 2 years for child abduction.
High School
Edison Senior High School
1999–2002
- Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly Charter Way), Stockton, CA
- Fighting my way through high school, being the target in gang initiations, and blamed during riots for the deportation of a student involved in a fight, I still managed to maintain a 3.6 GPA.
Big Sur, CA
Gorda Springs Resort
Originally 2012
When I was 27, a friend called me one day and said “I just got you a job and a place to live on the coast.” No questions asked, I packed 1 suitcase and left Stockton, and never looked back.
- Hired based on recommendation – I was 27 years old
- On-site housing
- Worked 6 days a week at the General Store
- Worked my way up in Big Sur, eventually becomming a full time Hostess/Waitress at the world-famous Nepenthe restaurant.
My Hero
David Toschak
2019–present
- Started dating June 20, 2019
- Moved to Palo Colorado Rd. in 2020
- He proposed on January 18, 2022
- He remains my full-time caregiver, my salvation, my Hero
The Crash
Becoming a Quadriplegic
Monday, May 23, 2022
- Driving a 1999 Porsche Boxster Convertible (5-speed manual)
- On my way home from work, I flipped a tiny convertible going 65mph on Highway 1
- Was airlifted to Natividad Hospital in Salinas, arriving over 4 hours after my accident
- Broke my neck at the C5–C6 level, compacting my spine 4 inches and severing nerves
- Shattered the left side of my face and suffered a traumatic brain injury which caused me to stutter for 4 months
- David never left my side
- Check out My Hero for more about this amazing man!