Michael... Modern day Lazarus!

Michael is a native Floridian and grew up in a rural area of East Lee county. He enjoys the great outdoors and describes himself a "country boy". He has worked in the family stucco and drywall business for many years and has a unique artistic skill of texturing walls and ceilings with drywall mud. Utilizing brushes and other tools he can create a variety of beautiful patterns and designs.

He is married to a great gal and has an eleven year old son.

Michael had always been an active and healthy young man. But with the Covid-19 virus pandemic in full swing, Michael fell ill. His energy levels dwindled and his breathing became more and more labored. When he finally sought medical assistance he was immediately admitted into the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia. After removing one and a half liters of fluid from his lungs and spending time on a ventilator, things went from bad to worse. He somehow had developed a serious blood infection.

Eventually Michael was put into a medically induced coma and given a 40% chance of survival. Doctors later told him that he had passed away at least twice, before they were able to revive him.

Rising from the dead, Michael is a modern day Lazarus!

After thirty days in the hospital, and most of that time in the intensive care unit, a strapping man of almost 200 pounds was reduced to a skeletal existence of 115 pounds.

Michael doesn't remember a lot about his ordeal, but he actually "celebrated" his thirtieth birthday in ICU, while in a coma. Although his nurse did not think that he was cognizant, he recalls her coming into his room and singing "Happy Birthday". He was grateful for her compassion and this kind gesture.

Thankfully, Michael is well on his way to a full recovery and plans to celebrate many birthdays to come.

He now has a much greater appreciation for life, for his family and for God. He knows that he would not be the person he is today without all of the love and support of so many.

Michael readily admits that he has made some bad decisions and has "stepped on a few rakes" in life, but he has determined to never give up.

He wants our readers to know that there is ALWAYS hope!

It was my pleasure to have Michael as an Uber passenger and have the opportunity to share his story.

Please welcome Michael to the Ubernamez family!