David Howard finds life amazing

Despite all the challenges David

Howard has had to overcome after

a traumatic head injury 22 years

ago, he still radiates an unmistakable

zest for life and lives each day to

the fullest.

Although many of the details

of Howard’s motorcycle accident

in Temecula remain unclear, the injuries he sustained were lifealtering.

When he awoke from his

three-week coma, he could not

remember the loved ones standing

by his side. He sustained other bodily

injuries, including broken bones.

Howard had to relearn how to

speak, read, write and walk. “He

couldn’t talk,” said Howard’s mother

and caretaker, Ellanor.

It took Howard about two years

before he could call Ellanor “Mom”

once again. “He is doing 2,000

percent better!” she boasted.

Howard’s current mobility issues

are eased with the assistance of a

walker, wheelchair and Easy Go

Golf Cart.

Even today, Howard struggles

with his long-term and short-term

memory. He meets this challenge

with a positive outlook by jotting

down the events of the day in a

small scratchpad he keeps nestled in his shirt pocket. Howard then

transfers important details into his

daily journal. “I write everything

down every day, because I forget,”

he says.

Surprisingly, one memory

resurfaced a couple years after the

motorcycle accident: his passion

for woodworking. About six years

after the accident, Howard started

woodworking projects once again.

Before his accident, Howard

created breathtaking pieces, including

an intricate inlaid coffee table, which

he cherishes. “ has the same

amount of pieces as the year that I

made it: 1,979 pieces.”

At home, a handsome handmade

inlayed clock and accent table

decorate the living room. Howard

explained that inlay work is very

detailed, as having precise angle

cuts is always the goal. When cutting

each piece of wood, they must be

kept in order for the inlay process.

If not, the grain will never fit.

“I just love woodworking,” said

Howard. “It takes 100 percent

patience.”

Because Howard’s mobility and

balance have been affected by his

accident, he is now concentrating on

lovely smaller pieces. A creative key

holder and boxes with breathtaking

inlays are displayed on the dining

room table.

H o w a r d ’ s p a s s i o n f o r

woodworking was inherited from

his maternal grandfather. “I still have

the table saw that he gave me years

ago,” shared Howard. “I have all of

his tools. They are old but they are

still good.”

While Howard is woodworking

at home or coloring an artistic prism

design, he listens to classical music.

It relaxes him. “Bebop – forget it. It’s

got to be slow and easy; it’s the only

thing I listen to.”

Prior to the accident, Howard was

employed as a material expediter for

high power lines. Before that he was

stationed in Japan as a firefighter in

the Air Force; he also had a stint as a

firefighter at the Palmdale Airport.

On Tuesdays, Howard can be

found at the Food Shelf at the

Fallbrook Senior Center. His attention

to detail and following regulations

have been greatly appreciated. His

responsibilities include signing

people in and collecting their minimal

monetary fees.

On Fridays, Howard goes to the

Fallbrook Adult Day Care Center,

where he enjoys a day of fun

activities. “They entertain him and

he entertains them,” said Ellanor,

smiling.

Howard also loves to play checkers

at the Adult Care Center. “I made

them a checkerboard,” he said.

Religion and optimism have

helped Howard through each barrier

to recovery. He remains astounded

by all the wonderful work doctors

have done throughout his procedures

and treatments.

As he simply states, “It’s amazing

I’m alive.