Thanks so much for posting this uplifting article. Another reminder that it´s not what happens to you, it´s how you decide to handle what happens to you. Dr. Miehle chose to be a victor not a victim. How wonderful.

Can´t add anything to what´s already said. Please read.

Outstanding.
He took what was issued and made the best of it.

My great uncle was blind at the age of 18. That did not stop him from learning to play 8 different musical instruments.

There but by the grace of G-d, goes anyone´s child. Too many say nothing because it´s ´not in my backyard´

We have not seen the results of legalized pot in the states that approved it. Who wants a stoned employee or neighbor ?

I thought the article said that the family recognized that the man who attacked this child was "different" from the time he was a baby, himself? Yes, perhaps he did a lot of drugs, but it sounds like he was insane from the start. Maybe in his case the drug use was a symptom, or self-medication.

Marijuana and LSD are powerful mind-altering drugs. They have been conclusively demonstrated to cause schizophrenia in people who already have a genetic disposition toward it. It´s possible the kid was mentally ill or predisposed to schizophrenia but I guarantee you the drugs exacerbated if not triggered the mania. The change is most pronounced in the young who use these drugs, the very prized target for drug dealers. Jared Loughner, Andrew Breivik, the Aurora Shooter and nearly every other schizo maniac who sought to kill and damage others was a heavy marijuana user in his teens.

It´s fact. But go right on denying it and pretending these things just float in out of nowhere and it´s ´nobody´s fault.´

#1 and #5, I really do not think there has ever been a case of someone high on pot alone throwing acid on anyone else. I don´t like pot, but it is much more likely that a drunk will be violent than a pot smoker. The only other drugs that I know of that might incite such violence are meth (or any kind of speed), bath salts and PCP. Regardless, the guy was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic so it wasn´t even a case of drugs.
He showed signs of being "off" as a toddler. I guess people didn´t read that part.

Yes, LSD is bad too but it didn´t say he took LSD. Just a neighbor said he seemed like he was on LSD. It didn´t specify what he may have taken. And yes, it is often that people take things to self-medicate to help them cope bettr. His parents should have taken him in for help years before. Maybe it could have been avoided. Still, nobody is calling this "victimless".

Amazing story about what Josh has done with his life. He´s been blessed since the attack.

Regardless of what drugs were involved, they are terrible things and we will never be able to get rid of them or crazed people who commit heinous acts with whatever weapon they can get their hands on. The upside here is that we aren´t reading about Josh´s funeral 40 years ago. He lived though it made the best of it, turned himself into a successful person and is an inspiration for anyone that thinks they are behind the 8-ball. Thanks for posting. It was a good read and makes you think about those who don´t have it quite as good as many of us do.

#8, There are cases out there where the street drugs, marijuana, etc have been cut with other things that have the unintended result of reactions that can mimic LSD etc. And the media refuses to widely publish the results of studies that show that marijuana´s toxic residue builds up in the body fat of the user leading to cases of cancer in people. Remember Linda McCartney? She was a heavy user of pot. She died of breast cancer which spread into her lungs. And how many fatalities will WA & CO have to deal with from users who drive and kill innocent people? Drugs are not victimless crimes.

Amen #11, this wasn´t a story about drug abuse, it was a story about hope, perseverance, triumph and success, AND from the NY Times. That´s two today.

Thank you, OP -

Thank you to the author for introducing us to this remarkable man and for writing his account with sensitivity and respectful consideration.

Please read this article. Even though your reading of this article may be blurred at times because of tears, the article, as a whole, will bring a smile of appreciation because you have just experienced an incredible narrative of true valor, grace, and greatness.

I was VERY impressed with this man, his family. What an intriguing story!

Isn´t this mans name the same as a regular poster here from out west?



Ted in Michigan