My name is Carlos Tarajano. On October 1, 2001, I suffered a cardiac arrest. Not knowing what had happened to me, I woke up in a hospital six weeks later and was told that I had been in a coma and had suffered post-traumatic amnesia. I learned that my cardiac arrest had caused a reduction in oxygen to my brain and this resulted in a significant decline in my ability to think and feel. In essence, I had lost part of me.  The journey to regain myself was going to be an uphill battle.

I was 30 years old, in perfect health, working as a successful bond trader and vice-president of one of the largest banks in the world.  A few months after my attack, as I was beginning my rehabilitation, my wife left me. Shortly, thereafter I experienced a sad and disappointing divorce. Despite this setback, I persevered through my rehabilitation. But, I did not do this alone. I had the loving support of my enormously caring family and a group of friends who encouraged me because they believed in me. Their belief in me helped me to rebuild my life. 

I come from a Cuban heritage, I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Spain, Mexico and Venezuela.  I attended college in Boston and have lived in New York for the past 11 years.