|
Walnut — To say that John Bobie has overcome a few obstacles on his way to becoming a college graduate is an understatement. To say that he is determined just doesn’t seem to do him justice. Even seven operations to remove a brain tumor couldn’t stop the 49-year-old Pomona man from joining Mt. San Antonio College’s Class of 2006 during the commencement ceremony on May 19. “It took me two-and-a-half years and seven operations, but I persevered,” said John, who underwent the seven surgeries in one year. He had already returned to college after being away for more than 20 years when he was diagnosed. He was enrolled at Mt. SAC as an Alcohol and Drug Counseling major in 2003 and was doing well in his studies when treatment for a benign tumor on the outside of his head took a turn for the worst and a neurologist told him he had two days to live. “Can you imagine being told you have two days to live? What do you do?” he asked. A seven-hour operation by a two-man team ensued and was followed by six more surgeries and radiation related to the tumor, which turned out to be cancerous. The operations even earned John some notoriety as a case study. “I’m currently in the medical books for having the biggest tumor ever taken out of a human head,” he said. But despite complications from the operations, including a steel plate that his body rejected, John continued with his studies as best he could. At one point, he had 45 straight days of doctor’s visits, but it finally took a motorist running a red light to stop himalbeit temporarily. “I had a green light and was turning left,” John said of accident in July 2005. “And when I woke up, I had no speech and no mobility on my right side.” |
During the accident, he had hit his head, which further complicated his condition, and unable to continue his studies, he started a three-day-a-week rehabilitation regiment to regain his speech. “Seven operations couldn’t take my speech away from me, but this accident did,” he said. His rehab lasted five months. He regained his speech, but was hesitant about what to do next. He thought about coming back to Mt. SAC. “It was hard to come back to school because I can’t write now,” said John. “But I’m not a quitter, and I decided to come back to school and finish what I started.” Together with his own determination, encouragement from faculty in the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Program, and assistance from Disabled Students Programs and Services, John returned to his studies. “The department faculty told me, ‘You have only a few classes to finish to get your degree, why don’t you stick it out?’” he said. “My instructors were in my corner all the way.” Through Disabled Students, he was granted the use of scribes who would take notes for him in class and made it possible for him to continue. “I can’t thank Disabled Students Programs and Services enough,” he said. “They have been just fantastic.” Today, John, while permanently disabled, is looking forward to continuing his studies and wants to work or volunteer in counseling. He received his associate degree and a certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, and he plans to transfer to Cal State Fullerton and hopes to help others at Loma Linda University Behavioral Center, where he completed his internship. He said that now, with all that he has been through, he has an overwhelming desire to give back to people in any way he can, and you can bet that despite whatever obstacles are in his path, John Bobie is sure to overcome. |