gabriel

Background

Born in Santa Rosa, California
earned an associated degree from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2008.
worked as congressional investigator, senior policy advisor, and a high school teacher.
Married
Has kids (ages 14 to 19) who reflect his mother

Inspirational Story

I first knew him as my 9th grade long-term substiute teacher. He ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 7th Congressional District which he lost. He had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is caused by abnormal genes in the heart muscle. The genes then cause the walls of the heart chamber to become thicker than normal which may become stiff. This can reduce the amount of blood taken in and pumped out to the body with each heart beat. His grandpa and mom died of the same heart condition. His condition forced him to grow up fast and went collge, aware that he might not live a full lifetime of an average American. The condition makes him wear implantable cardioverter defibrillators in his chest. He said that it was like he was Iron Man.

What the Person means to me

He didn't let his condition stop him from being the best self he can be. He didn't gloat on how tough his life can be because of his condition. When he taught in my english class he was fun like making jokes about wrapping our phones in clear plastic rap and hang them. He would always ask us what inspired us and to make your time on this planet worth it. One of the last things I remebered him saying was "Be accountable and do the right thing".

He honors his mother in numerous ways. He volunteers with the American Heart Association and spoke at Go Red for Women events. His family sponsors the Kathleen L. Fremgen Memorial Nursing Scholarship, names after his mother, to support students returning to college after becoming a mother. He is someone who helps people and honors his family. He is an example of what it means