A reader sent in this link to a HHC Today article describing a Coler Goldwater Hospital patient with a traumatic brain injury and severe memory loss caused by a severe beating being reunited with his Brooklyn family. According to HHC Today:
… After spending three months hospitalized at Bellevue, Velez entered Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility in April 2007, and he’s been a resident there ever since. In time he befriended another resident, Nestor Lazaro. They play dominoes regularly. It’s not just for recreation – it’s part of Velez’ treatment. It’s a game where memory is vital, and Velez’ had soon recovered sufficiently from his brain injury that he was able to beat Lazaro. But the whereabouts of his family remained a mystery.
So Lazaro decided to help his friend. A few weeks ago Lazaro contacted Channel 41 Univision, the Spanish-language television station. Reporter Berenice Gartner went to Coler-Goldwater and interviewed the two friends about Velez’ plight. Shortly after the show aired, Velez’ got some wonderful news: his relatives had seen the show and were already en route to Coler-Goldwater to see him. They live in Brooklyn….
We should all have friends like Lazaro 
| Floriberto (Alberto) Velez, seated center, was reunited with his nephew, left, and his brother, right, after his friend Nestor Lazaro, rear, contacted the news media. |