B. Vincent Rovito

On 4/22/86, I was involved in a plane crash. I had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spent the next six weeks in a coma. During that time, many broken bones healed without being set. In October 1986, I visited the now deceased Dr. Joseph Pizzurro, who referred me to Dr. Charles Neer, who he described as "the best shoulder man in the country". Unfortunately for me, he was approaching retirement and not accepting new patients. I then went to another orthopedic surgeon, who studied under Dr. Neer. He was not willing to accept the challenge. I visited several orthopedic surgeons after that, but no one wanted to perform the surgery. Finally, I visited Dr. Wanich in Paramus, NJ, who was very thorough and explained everything. On 8/1/23, the first operation was performed. On 8/14/23, the shoulder popped out and the second operation was done the next day. I now have full range of motion in my left arm that I have not had for the previous 37 years.

I'm a ski instructor and plan on focusing on the adaptive section. I have a compassion for people with disabilities considering what I've been through and were I've come.