Part of the Team: The Mike Saggese Story

At 31 years of age, Mike Saggese has it all. He boasts an MBA. He’s a newlywed. He enjoys an active interest in sports. And he still manages to save time for weekly poker games with friends.

Secondary to his growing list of accomplishments are physical challenges that have never hindered his involvement – and impact – in the Commonwealth.

A lifelong Virginian, at the age of 9, Saggese, was brimming with energy and had a bright outlook on the future. He was then struck by a tractor trailer.

“I was propelled into the dashboard and suffered a head injury,” recalls Saggese. “I had to learn to perform my daily living activities, walk, talk, eat again, write with my left hand because I was right handed, and cope with my new life.”

With a strong family structure and countless hours of therapy, Saggese eventually began to walk without a cane and began driving. At the age of 21, however, he was involved in another car accident that magnified his previous injuries, leaving him with a broken left collar bone from his seat belt. Today he uses a cane in most situations and a wheelchair for long distances.

“A great milestone for me was completing my education despite the two car accidents,” explains Saggese. “I highly value education and I didn’t stop until I got my MBA in 2005.” Saggese says that his accidents also reconnected him with his faith.

“I got a whole new outlook on life and became a much more positive person. I realized that I needed to stop thinking about what I didn’t have and start thanking God for what I did. I looked back at my time in multiple hospitals when I saw mentally challenged people – and it made me thankful that all of my injuries were purely physical. I saw amputees – which made me thankful I have all my limbs, even though they all are not 100%. I saw blind people and deaf people – made me thankful I can see and hear. I think of the homeless and people who have been through natural disasters – makes me thankful I have a roof over my head, access to luxuries, and a strong church and blood family structure.”

Saggese says that after his first car accident he had to figure out alternative ways to perform daily living activities in the community. “I am highly self motivated and patient and would spend hours in the trial and error process. Ultimately I was determined to be independent and was successful in meeting my challenges. I also had to deal with the stares and snap judgments of people because I look different but I learned to just shrug it off and keep going. I am not going to let them steal my joy.”

Saggese insists that access to opportunities within the community, opposed to large state run institutions, was critical to his success. “Being disabled I know how important it is for me to keep as much independence as I can to enhance my self esteem, self worth, and active lifestyle. These programs (community supports) strive to maximize independence, employment, and the full inclusion into society. Everybody needs to feel part of a team.”