This is the true story of a young man, brutally beaten about the head and dismissed by the medical establishment as a lost, pathetic cause. It is also the story of a young man severely brain injured and championed by his parents, friends and a group of outstanding professionals, who goes on to forge a life of inspiration and meaning. Nick Del Buono was in the YMCA when he was attacked by a man with a baseball bat. The doctors who first saw Nick were overwhelmed by his injuries and held out little hope that he would improve. But his mother and father would not accept that verdict. They had an unshakable belief that somewhere, somehow they would find the treatments and care they needed to bring their son back to a meaningful life. They sued the YMCA. They scoured their area to find a home, aides, doctors, nurses, therapist and equipment. Acknowledged A Man is the story of their 20-year battle with a cynical, sometimes cruel medical establishment; with a convol! uted, influence-driven criminal justice system; and with an irresponsible, self-indulgent national and local YMCA.