Glendale Hts. mayor trying to catch up.(News)

Glendale Heights Village President Ben Fajardo is getting a different perspective on board meetings these days.He's sitting in the audience, trying to keep up on issues while recovering from the massive stroke he suffered last fall.

"I need to familiarize myself with what's going on," Fajardo said after last Thursday's meeting, the first he's attended since his stroke last September.
Fajardo had a blood clot in his brain that led to a stroke, and doctors removed part of his brain to stop the bleeding.

As a result of stroke and the surgery, Fajardo was paralyzed on his left side.
He's still in full-time therapy during the day, but he'll be going down to half that and is scheduled for release from the daily program in June, his wife, Adeline, said.

When he might return to his elected post is a question he's not prepared to answer yet. His recovery is still in process. He's walking now with a brace on his left leg and the assistance of a cane. His leg has improved faster than other affected areas, including his left arm and eye, which are expected to improve over time.

"Golf and the village are the two things he thinks about," Adeline said.
"He wants to keep coming back. I keep telling him just focus on getting healthy, (trustees) are doing a good job in your absence."

Fajardo's four-year term expires in April 2001, so there's still plenty of time to return, she said. District 2 Trustee Sharon Fonte said the board tries to inform Fajardo about many of their activities to keep him involved."We're running it just like Ben would want us to," she said.
Edman, Catherine