|
Brain-injured Author
Writes Tribute to Hero and
Teams Up with Brett Favre’s Greatest Fans
Contact:
Thomas Hapka, Erick Rolfson – 800.350.5041
E-mail: contactus@letterstobrettfavre.html
WHITEWATER, WISCONSIN — December 9, 2008 – When Thomas Hapka
suffered a near-fatal chiropractic injury that left him with a stroke
and severe brain damage, he didn’t know what life had in store for
him. He had to have his family empty his Milwaukee apartment and move
him back into his parents’ home. He was left with vertigo and other
neurological symptoms that made life challenging – and sometimes
downright overwhelming. He had to leave his technology-based contract
career, which had just started taking off at the time of his injury.
Turned down by both the legal system and social security, Tom had
little to live on. With the help of his parents, he managed to meet
his basic needs. And with the help of an elderly former English
professor turned close personal friend, Tom wrote his first book about
all-natural treatments for the feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV.
Once he knew that he was capable of writing books, he began looking
for other opportunities.
When Brett Favre announced his retirement in March 2008,
inspiration hit. “Letters to Brett Favre” said a voice in Tom’s
head as he was preparing breakfast one morning. Brett had always been
an inspiration for this author, because of his love of the game and
the rebirth he gave Tom’s beloved Green Bay Packers. But since his
injury, Tom was getting another kind of inspiration. The three-time
MVP who always picked himself up off the turf and got back in the game
— the QB who had the longest durability record in the NFL – had a
lot of motivation to give to this young man trying to pull himself
back from a debilitating injury.
So Tom began combing the internet and posting for letters, while he
outlined chapter ideas and began writing essays about what Brett Favre
meant to him, the Packers organization, and the game of football as a
whole. He contacted fan groups to see if their members would like to
contribute letters. One of those contacts would change his life.
On a summer day, Tom contacted Erick Rolfson, founders of
bringbackbrettfavre.com and the Bring Back Brett Favre campaign in
Green Bay. By this time, Brett had announced that he wanted to return
to football and the Green Bay Packers had given their most famous
player a lukewarm reception at best. Erick and his brother Adam put
their lives on hold for the summer of 2008 to plan rallies, petitions,
and public presentations to let Packer management know that fans
wanted “their” quarterback back.
So when Tom asked if Erick and Adam would be willing to provide a
letter for the book, he got that and much more. Of course, both Favre
fans were thrilled to be included in the project. But they volunteered
to be business partners — using their data base to help gather
letters from Favre fanatics, as well as helping promote the book,
which included much needed financing. More than a partnership of
convenience, this has turned out to be a pairing of fate.
“I couldn’t have put this book together without Erick and Adam.
I simply didn’t have the contacts, the business know-how, and
certainly, not the funding,” explained Tom. And as for Erick
Rolfson, he echoes Tom’s sentiments. “Tom has been an inspiration
to both my brother and me. To understand the problems he’s had,
where some days he was so dizzy that it was hard to even sit still,
let alone focus at the computer and write the great tributes that he
has to Brett, has been really inspiring to see. This man definitely
embodies Brett’s never-quit drive to succeed.”
It seemed completely fitting that the three men who came together
to work on this book would choose to honor and assist Special Olympics
through its sale. Brett Favre, a special education major in college,
has always held a special place in his heart for this charity and has
been very generous with both his time and his donations. Through Brett
Favre’s dedication to this charity, many special athletes have been
able to experience the thrill of competition. “Our donation to
Special Olympics is a great way to honor Brett, these athletes — and
really Tom, too, and anyone else who hasn’t let themselves be held
back by their disabilities,” said Adam Rolfson. “This a great
feel-good story
and anyone who purchases this book can be pleased with the great
organization they are helping.”
“Letters to Brett Favre: A Fan Tribute” is
available for sale at letterstobrettfavre.com for
$14.95 plus shipping. Part of the proceeds of each book go to the
Special Olympics chapters that most touch Brett’s heart –
Wisconsin, Mississippi (where Brett grew up) and New York (where he is
now the leader of the New York Jets).
###
|
