CLIFF NOTES LIFE BY JAMES A. GALGANO



i was born in queens in new york city. suufered a brain injury as an infant

.there was no special ed except mental hospitals instead i spent 11 years in catholic school NS 1 IN A SEMINARY SCHOOL STUDYING TO BE A PRIEST BEFORE I FOUND a way to get through all this difficulty with school.



we moved from new york to arizona in 1967 . i got involved in the anti war movement and the environmental movement aS well as union organozing.



in 1973 i met the woman i still live with . we lived together for 2 years and than married we have been together through thick and thin ever since.

i had a hard time getting a job due to my appearance and politics but never let it get to me





i went to scottsdale community college and then arizona state university. where i was able to get a job in the film library and then as a custodian after my son was born in 1982. i dropped out of college to work as a custodian but became a full time custodian,parent and union activist at ASU. our son grew up at the university with the students , professors and others who worked there/



we stayed in arizona until donna was able to get her masters degree and a job in san francisco. we decided to get away from the right wing racist government of the state once and for all.



i began college at san francisco state university and got a degree in history but it didn't produce any jobs so i got jobs as a custodian at schools and then a hospital...there my union activities got me into trouble with management. their retaliation against me over this lead to my permanent injury to both my wrists and palm muscles and nerves. they were found guilty and had to pay for me to go to college . this time i was able to fulfill my dream by getting a dual general and special education credential two years later.



then i got a job at a middle school in the city helping students to face their difficulties and disabilities and get a good education to be successful in general education , then in high school as well as life.



all of my students are children of color from the inner city. they are the love of my life and my crusade. ny son is in the military and stationed in korea i worry about him each night and am angry with this government for its constant protection of the rich and wealthy at the expense of the rest of us.



that is a cliff notes story of my life. please share yours with us if you feel so inclined.



i know it took alot for all you to cross the generational and cultural gap that seems at times to divide us to reach out to this inconsequential individual.

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i thank you all for this opportunity to network for we all have so much to learn and share from each other and this hopefully is the start on this website to do something more than the obvious many are here for.



peace

james