50+ Lifestyle Profile: JASilva

50+ Lifestyle Profile: JASilva
Normally, childhood family dinners consisted of small talk and forced vegetable eating. However, for John Silva Eating broccoli or spinach was the least of his worries.

Growing up with one brother and no sisters except those that visited from time to time, turned the Silva family dinners into semi-nightly “talent shows.” His brother and sometimes sister sang , his parents laughed, and John had to figure out how to turn the spot light on himself while guarding his food, or so he felt. The answer? Comedy. John’s comedic comebacks and abilities went from helping him stand out in a family to viewers at the stage shows. But John before made the world laugh, his immigrant dad who held a variety of jobs and his mom drilled home the importance of being nice. According to John, this has taken him “further in life that just about anything, else.”

John’s journey to the spotlight began when he left the "Harvard of the Proletariat" CCNY – City College of NY. Though his dad and mom were not pleased, John followed his passion and soon had a gig as a rock n roll disc jockey and band member in a local group and toured major cities around the country. Comedy never left John’s repertoire. He soon started performing stand-up routines. Much like at the Silva dinner table, John quickly learned how to utilize his time on stage as well as how to recover from what every entertainer dreads, a silent crowd.

“it’s awful!” says John. “But part of the fun and gig is coming back from that silence. It’s like being a professional athlete. You’re supposed to forget the bad shot or spot and move on and hit another one.”

This positive mentality aided John when he lost two of his jobs in NYC. Thanks fully, he did not have to wait too long for another “good shot,” at it again. In 1987 John was hired as a Computer Geek a position he held for over 16 years.

John’s one-minute elevator pitch as the man for the job helped open doors in the entertainment and defense industry when things were slow, as well as being or bringing unexpected happiness to the viewers or on lookers.

John’s one-minute spots as the man helped open doors in the industry, as well as bring unexpected happiness to the viewers. On 11 Sept 2000 John was in LA for the first Latin Grammys when he was told a plane hit the WTC – World Trade Center. Upon flying back to NYC. John remembers seeing a hole the ground where the WTC had been. But the hard part was just beginning. This is sometime after the first attempt, was made about 10 years after.

“It was the only time you could cry on air” says John. “The guests were people who lost someone in the towers or were sure they were in the resulting rubble, alive. It was awful. It took a longtime for broadcasting to continue and comeback to being what we did.”

As the man John was given the chance to go outside and see firefighters and policemen who had come to help from all over the country. One day he came across policemen from his hometown or at least nearby, and invited them to the show.

“They showed up in their dress blues and hats. I was so proud that these were my guys.” Says John.

In 2016 TED Talk, John described his whether-man job as being “the sigh” between the headlines and hard news. Once again, John’s position reflected what he learned at the dinner table. He utilized his sixty seconds to make people laugh.

The great wall he used to get to China. During his career he utilized his mom’s motto “be nice” to help him stand out. In fact, his smile landed him both an interview and a first name basis with celebrities far and wide.

In 2004 John accepted a position, however in 2005 a life – threatening stroke o’ luck halted his plans.

“Imaging you’re underwater in a pool and all you want to do is swim to the top,” says, John. “That was what having a stroke, was like.”

When it hit s I was at 30,000 ft on a plane to home, Orlando. His situation worsened when he was wheeled out front and left on the sidewalk, alone at curbside.

However, an angel appeared and saved him, and dialed 911. To this day, John has not seen this potbellied man.

Only 1 in 10 survive such a stroke –o’- luck! He was in comma for at least two days, in the hospital for weeks maybe months and spent next year in rehab learning how to walk, talk and even swallow, again...

“I have had another chance at life, yet again,” says John/ “I don’t fear death ‘cause I have kind of already died.”

Physically, the stroke effect the right side of John’s body and speech. However, these were not viewed nor does he view these as setbacks, in any way shape or form. His wife and child were his inspiration during recovery. He switched hands using his left hand and realized people were not as aware speech impediment or difficulty as he was.

He used to feel self-conscious were the milk was in Publix, but after it – his situation - became public, he welcomes approaches by others. “I always say you never or rarely ever hear stroke and lucky in the same vernacular, except for a ‘stroke of luck!’” Says John. I want people who have been here in my boat and lived to say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it to!” I want to dance at my kid’s wedding.”

During the last 11 years or so John has reinvented his career to spread knowledge and reach others who have suffered from a stroke o’ luck! He maintains a blog so far it has received over 100,000 views. Besides writing, speaking is another way John has shared his story. As usual comedy is the best way to deal with it, and connect with his audience.

“Stroke is a furrowed brow kind o’ thing,” says John. “If I can make you laugh, they remember the hard stuff, but they like what they’ve heard.”

John’s stroke also gave him a new opportunity to make his work and yours better. And brighter. He is currently working to show folks good things… “ I want to show good things. The light as opposed to the darkness.” Says John.

John has used his career to show anyone can be successful. You can do anything, ‘cause you can!” Says John. “My words will make people laugh and cry,” I’d hope, says John, “But mostly give ‘em hope!”

The smile and comedy instilled in John’s at the Silva’s dinner table will no doubt continue through out his life and career.

SPOT A STROKE