I was born in Athens, Ohio Memorial Day May 30th, 1959 two months premature at 2 pounds and three ounces, and no one held me for two months. I did not have a name-"Babyboy Iliff".

I was supposed to die or be blind or handicapped at least and living in an incubator with flies buzzing around and a girl partner -which was against the one occupant only hospital rule.

"He looks like a piece of raw meat!" These were my Grandpa Joe's words when he saw me; and there were only black, rubber-gloved hands reaching inside to care for us at Sheltering Arms Hospital.

I had no enamel on my brown, baby teeth and to this day I have an almost undetectable heart murmur...my "birthmark from God."

When asked, "How do you intend on paying for this?", my Father replied, "Very slowly."