My name is Terence Tomlin. On November 26, 2017, while I was Executive Chef at Hawthorne in Washington, DC I suffered a stroke. I woke up partially paralyzed with memory loss. I stayed in the hospital for six weeks missing Christmas and New Year’s eve for the first time. I had no control of my dominant hand and was bound to a wheelchair for a year. I went from being an active member of the culinary world to a very depressed disabled person. We as humans take so much for granted. I needed around-the-clock adult care. I was abandoned only to have my insurance cut off a year later.
A review of studies published after 1980 shows alarmingly high post-injury divorce rates ranging from 48% to 78% . There is little doubt that brain injury can strain marriages. Spouses often take on many of the injured person's responsibilities, though they may have little experience with their new roles.
I’m originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut and have survived cold winters and mean streets so giving up wasn’t an option. I started using the wheelchair as a walker and started to use my left hand to cook. Not realizing the reality of my circumstance, suffering from a brain injury and the grief of abandonment I experienced the personal ebs and lows of semi-recovery.
My sous chef brought me an ice cream machine that I looked at in the box for two weeks. I started to remember an ice cream I learned while working at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City.
I was like a child with a new found game. I made small samples. I rolled around in my wheelchair and gave out samples in my apartment building. The response was great.
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Mayflower Commissary Kitchen in Virginia Beach has offered me the opportunity to retain all permits and licenses through the business from the Virginia Department of Agriculture, Virginia Department of Health and the kitchen for preparation/storage/distribution of the ice cream. This would be instrumental in getting the products into farmer's markets and local stores.
The storage/rent. The licensing, raw materials, Vitamix and screen-printed ice cream cups need funding.
The ultimate goal is to provide stroke victims with monetary funds for that in-between time when they’re waiting for disability. It’s called “The Coming Home Fund” The funds will help with groceries, bills, rent or mortgage. I know all too well what it’s like to be left alone and given no choice but to fend for yourself. I VOWED to help others like me if I ever got in a position to do so.
Please help me make Tomlin’s Seasonal Sweet Earth Treat® and Chosen seasonal ice cream® a reality.
Thank you,
Chef Terence Michael Tomlin Sr
A Beautiful Stroke ®
