The Gabriel Project

MY SON CHANGED HIS CAREER GOAL THAT FATEFUL DAY A year ago on April 15, 2013 an unspeakable horror took place at the Boston Marathon. The bombing killed 3 spectators and injured 264 others.   A few feet away from the second bomb my son Shawn Conway escaped injury. A week past his 23rd birthday he was at his usual job as a server for the Atlantic Fish Co. restaurant on Boylston St. in Boston where he worked sometimes 10 to 12 hours a day to cover his living expenses while attending the Berklee College of Music.    Shawn was serving on the street patio when the bombs went off . He ran out with some water to the victims. He had no medical knowledge to help beyond bringing that water. In the video you can see them moving those wooden fences in front of his restaurant. On his cell phone he told  me of his frustration at not being able to help, not having the skills when they were so desperately needed. That day became the turning point in his life. He was a good trumpet player and his high school music teacher had suggested he go there. He completed three years with good grades and we helped as best we could with the very expensive tuition. I am on social security and a modest pension from FEDEX. So the student loans mounted up high but  somehow they would be paid back  That moment, to paraphrase Anthony Newley, was when "fate took his hand". He has vowed not only to never feel that helpless again but  has moved back to California, attends San Francisco State with a major which will help lead to his goal of becoming a Physician's Assistant. This summer he will take EMT training and by next year he will be working as a paramedic while completing that bachelor's degree. Then on to two more years of training before he can become a physicians assistant. The final tally of all these loans will approach $100,000. We are looking to raise half that. Shawn will pay off the other $50,000. He'll play his trumpet again, maybe in local theater but it will be secondary to what  he wants to do - help people. Some things are meant to be,  Shawn was very lucky that day. I am proud that he found his calling, even under horrific circumstances. Something good can come out of all this.   We would be happy to give you any verification of Shawn's time in Boston. More importantly we would love to give you progress reports of Shawn's career thanks  to your support.  So please help us towards this happy ending by contributing anything you can to The Gabriel Project.   -