With keeping his head on straight Michael would somehow move forward using his senses. He worked even when he couldn't see and most important for him he kept his faith throughout all measures with his inner God. The faith that he kept was that, 'I MICHAEL Salamon will one day see again', and that alone to me was a new GAME CHANGER for him. I have always found that to have a winning attitude, you have to practice a winning attitude. Michael had just this an attitude that his mind would soon listen and believe. For Michael, and you can quote me, ‘TO BELIEVE IS TO SEE AGAIN”.
During his 5 years of painful headaches, lost sight and soul, he heard nothing but voices telling him to give up, others telling him to find something worthy and adapt. Those voices being others within his life. People that did not understand that hope and belief for Michael would soon be the attitude, game changer. Due to his illness he had to walk away from working with some of the industries best.
Through the thick of it, Michael went on developing projects as a creative consultant with his friend, "Timothy Linh Bui and his brother, Tony Bui " in a film that is currently on DVD in stores called, "Powder Blue", Staring Ray Liota, Jesica Biel, Patrick Swayze, Forest Whitaker, and many other stars. For Michael this was a very hard time for him, not able to see and was told from many people to give up. But was also told by many to keep believing and those were the people that helped him along the way, and it was actually those positive people he thought, did not care.
In the year of 2009, Michael received a gift from his loving father. He had his surgery. Michael states, “It's pretty hard to realize that I'm still living amongst the living”. Thanks to his father and Dr. Lee out in Palm Springs, California, for making this miracle all possible. Michael had a condition that was past on from his families genetics. “My father paid for my eye operation that cost him an arm and a leg to have me see again". That was five years ago. Michael is slowly getting his confidence back. For Michael he is now well aware that he has an important role to play either in front or behind the scenes.
Today there are extraordinary developments going on for Michael Salamon as he is putting together an amazing team internationally from Europe, Asia and America, together in forming what Michael is calling his ‘dream team’ for Motion Picture production. The company is called "Little Tiger Entertainment". And I can tell you these are no little endeavors. This year alone they are already slating 3 features films. Two from China, and one from the US.
Who said dreams and miracles do not come true. Certainly not me, and most importantly certainly not Michael Salamon.
Good to have you back Michael.
Story by Steven Vitali
Through the years of being blind there seem to be a biter blur that sliced away Michael Salamon’s inner soul to trust, love and be awakened once more. However, this biter bluer would only last a short time before Michael saw the light inside that glow within his heart to not give up. With his desire to see again he tried and tried to re awaken his soul with the belief, of all that is good and for him, ‘to believe was to see’.
Michael is a quarter Greek, a quarter Russian, and half Vietnamese, along with Jewish ancestor. He was born in Vietnam during the war and later came to the United States in 1969 at the age of 5, during the days of Martin Luther King. He attended elementary school in Hollywood until the year of 1973. Thereafter, he traveled abroad with his loving father who worked with tug boats, in places such as, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, France, Thailand and Malaysia.
Growing up for Michael seemed to be the most amazing place. For him, life during this time, had showed Michael its inner beauty with the many friends he chose to make through, what he calls 'his journey'.
In the 80's, his family returned to the States and located to San Pedro, California, where he attended High School. As his circumstances changed it was not long after, that he ran away from home, and never graduated. But fate stepped in to knock on his door, when Michael made it back to Hollywood on a wing and a prayer.
From the mid 80's to the early 90's Michael worked as a general sales manager in both men’s and women’s clothing. He worked as a fashion photographer, fashion model that gave him more opportunities.
For Michael the 90's was an interesting time. As he became more involved with student filmmakers and it was at this time in his life that he would meet a friend who helped shaped his life as an actor. For Michael it even helped shape his life to become the person he is to day. During this time in his life he worked on making projects that would inspire others which he said, “lead us to making the first American Film in Vietnam with Harvey Kietel and Open City Film called, "Three Seasons "Directed by his dearest of friends Tony Bui. Michael says he had a fun quick role. “Working as Tony's personal assistant to help him mold the film in such away that later took us all over the world winning awards”.
“Sundance 1990 "Three Seasons" won best cinematographer, along with audience award and grand jury prize. No one in the history of Sundance had ever claimed both”. The film was a hit in the Independent world which again lead Michael to a very dear friend and brother, the late Patrick Swayze, and actor Forest Whitaker in the film, "Green Dragon" . Again for Michael, how important it was for him to choose his friends. I believe they mold your future, your heart and your very well being. Says Michael.
Michael tells me that sometimes through out our journey we ourselves get demandingly lost. It was at this time in his life he started to lose his eye sight. It was the left eye and then slowly his right eye. I can’t even imagine as I stress at now needing reading classes.
BAY LIFE LIVING
founder/designer/chief editor - Steven Vitali
February/March/April/May 2016
Life Styles Magazine