First, let me start by emphasizing that there are no words to describe nor does my articulation of the truths that follow begin to even remotely resemble the level of integrity this exceptional and outstanding man, Dan Gilleon deserves. Not only as an attorney, but as a human being with heart and a s...oul.
I am a real human, living and breathing right now, because of Dan Gilleon. 2 years ago this month, I was lying in a hospital bed in a coma, on life support, with the top of my skull literally removed.
The cause of my fatal injury? A nasty fall down a flight of stairs of my apartment building. Stairs of which had been the source of contention for all the neighbors in my building for a long while, despite our requests made to the owner for repair.
What used to be thrown around lightly "someone's gonna kill themselves on these stairs", was no longer a passing complaint. It finally happened.On August 31st, I died at the bottom of those stairs...
It was by some miracle that a Point Loma Ambulance made it to me and transported me UCSD in a matter of 5 minutes, where I immediately underwent what turned out to be 10 hour of brain surgery.
Again, by some sheer act of God (or whatever you want to call it), I made it thru the surgery.
Though due to the amount of brain tissue the doctors had removed, they were certain I would never talk, walk, or function normal again. They said I would mostly likely be completely incapacitated.
One would think that would have been a happy time, but I was far from thankful to be alive. Having now survived three brain surgeries, craniotomy, tracheotomy, more blood transfusions than anyone should have lived thru, an artery stent, frequent seizures, memory loss, erratic recall, stomach complications, headaches, nose bleeds, debilitating undiagnosable pain and depression. And that's not even touching on the esthetic trauma from my hair being shaved bald, and the scarring and reshaping of my skull and deterioration of my facial muscles. Life was looking grim.
Although, I wasn't an invalid or brain-dead as they were nearly certain I would, I would never be the same again. I am permanently disabled. I will never work a real job, I will never be able to support myself, and I will never have a normal life.
I remember the day this man (who shall not be named) stood before my family and, looked in the eyes and said, "You have no case. There's nothing here."
I felt hopeless. I began questioning if I was meant to live thru this unimaginable accident.
Just as I had given up hope, and began to feel doomed to a life of poverty, sickness, and 2nd class medical care, Dan Gilleon was introduced to me. Without hesitation, he confidently took on my representation. Little did I know that included protecting me, guiding me and ultimately affecting my life in a way that cannot be bought.
He went far beyond the call of his duties and obligations to me as my attorney from day one. He investigated, interviewed and questioned every single person imaginable; including but not limited to the current tenants, prior tenants, city personnel, neighbors etc. Dan Gilleon was 100% concerned first and foremost about ME, Megan Fuller.
It's true, I've got a long road of healing still ahead of me and a lifetime health challenges. There is no amount of money that can take that away. However, it’s a relief to know that I will have the care and assistance I need to allow me to live life to the fullest of my ability.It still brings me to tears to think that there was a time when I didn't have hope, when I didn't want to live anymore, when I felt I shouldn’t go on. But Dan Gilleon changed that the day I met him. Dan Gilleon, wasn't just my attorney...he was my friend, he was my strength – he gave me HOPE.
Dan Gilleon - you saved my life.