I was born terribly handicapped. But at age 18, I saved a boy's life and in doing so I was "electrocuted", but in doing this good deed, miraculously my handicap from birth vanished...Took up boxing and became a champion later on...Yes miracles can happen. Who am I ?
"The Astoria assasin" aka. "Der Paulie". Not only one of the hardest punching LHW:s of all time and one of the most colourful champions of the colourful 20's, but a world class wrestler to boot.
Yep, it was "paralyzing Paul Berlenbach who was born a deaf mute. Could not speak or hear. Until one day when he was 18, climbed up an electric pole to untie another deaf mute's kite,and was "electrocuted" by a live wire, fell to the ground unconscious and was revived and to everyone's amazement was able to hear for the first time ever...Truly a miracle.. Became a wrestling champion, took up boxing and became LH champ in 1925...One of the most rugged and heavy hitting lightheavyweights ever...
I don't think he was born a deaf mute. He contracted Scarlet Fever at the age of four which rendered him deaf and dumb. It is truly an amazing story.
Truth is stranger than fiction it is said. Last week in my local paper an eight year old mute from birth who never uttered a word was being fed hot cocoa by his mom. All of a sudden this 8 year old mute said to his astonished mom "too sweet". His mother sreamed out " Jimmie, why haven't you ever said a word before "? Jimmie replied "until now everything has been OK " !!!
