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HERALD Your Health Heart Health Inside
VOL. 88 NO. 9
SPECIAL ELECTION • VOTE TUESDAY
GET OUT THE VOTE
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FEBRUARY 23 - MARCH 1, 2023
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Legislature special election set for Feb. 28 By JORDAN VALLONE
Courtesy Risa Asami
FREEPORT’S RISA ASAMI is determined to lead a fulfilling life despite having both legs amputated due to hereditary health challenges. She is currently staying at the Amputee Walking School in Roslyn, working toward getting prosthetics and being able to do the things she used to do.
Risa Asami hopes to lead a long life despite challenges By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
For most of her life, Risa Asami of Freeport faced health challenges caused by hereditary diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Her struggles escalated over the years, ultimately leading to the amputation of both of her legs. Through it all, she has remained determined to lead a full and meaningful life. She had the toes of her right foot amputated five years ago and underwent bypass surgery to restore blood flow. She spent two months in a rehab facility to learn how to walk again. “I was in a rehab facility while it healed, and
kind of learned how to walk like with no toes on the right foot,” Asami said. “But then I was able to return home and basically live a pretty normal autonomous life.” The bypass surgery didn’t completely solve her circulation issues. Asami’s left leg weakened, and she experienced severe pain in her right leg, leading to another doctor’s visit in April of last year. Doctors discovered a blockage and presented Asami with a difficult decision. They could provide temporary pain management or amputate her leg. She chose pain management, but it proved ineffective in the long term requiring constant treatment for fruitless results. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
jvallone@liherald.com
Where to vote
The race is on for the Nassau County Legislature seat vacated late last year after Steve Rhoads’ election to the State Senate. In a special election set for Tuesday, Feb. 28, Democrat Robert Miles will square off against Republican Michael Giangregorio to determine who will take the seat in Mineola. T h e l e g i s l at ive d i s t r i c t includes parts of Seaford and Wantagh, all of South Bellmore, sections of central and South Merrick, and a small strip of Freeport with a cutoff at Woodcleft Avenue. And it’s no stranger to special elections. Rhoads won the seat in 2015 following the resignation of Dave Denenberg, the Democratic leader who was convicted of mail fraud. Even if Democrats picked up this seat, the party would remain in the minority. Still, that hasn’t stopped Miles from giving it a try. The 30-year-old was born in Elmont, but grew up primarily in Merrick. He graduated from Hofstra University’s law school, running with a political background he says is “heavy in policy.” Miles previously worked in both the county attorney’s office
Early voting is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the following locations: ■ Temple Beth Am, 2377 Merrick Ave., Merrick ■ St. Francis de Chantal Church, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh ■ Nassau County elections board office, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola Polls open Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at normal voting locations. Find your polling place at VoterLookUp. Elections.ny.gov. Unsure if you live in District 19? Call (516) 571-8683. under County Executive Ed Mangano and Nassau’s property assessment office during the Laura Curran administration. Since early last year, Miles has served as an attorney with Nassau’s minority caucus. Giangregorio, 57, grew up in Queens and settled in Merrick with his wife in 1997. He’s long CONTINUED ON PAGE 4