30 Summers!

[Pony]

30 Summers!

Not really a person who believes in the conventional deity; I'm a believer in 'attitude!' It's the only thing that can save you from your circumstances that, in my case, pulls at me much of the time. There's no time to bitch and whine. I want to live RIGHT NOW! It will be 30 years post injury in a few days, and it's like climbing Mt. Everest, then looking back down - a combination of fear and excitement that somehow I've made the climb. For the first few years after my car wreck that paralyzed me from my high chest area down I was unsure if I'd ever really have a 'normal' life again, however, baby-steps forward towards freedom and a total rebuilding of my self-identity would take some years, but eventually reach a healthy level. It's not like I don't still suffer; I do. But life is more balanced now, more steady.

Looking back down the mountain, and I see that I made some impressive climbing maneuvers. I got a loan to fix my van up so I could drive. Finally, after many years of going back to college, I graduated. Soon after, I found a job with my company, and been there for 16 years. An incredible milestone for me was buying a house, remodeling it to be completely wheelchair accessible. And probably the most satisfying thing was to pay it off in 20 years. Somehow over these years I've formed some close able-bodied friends, and they're my source of 'normalcy' that keeps me sane. Not to mention, all have played a huge part in doing house projects, repairs and remodeling.

Another aspect of my life that I needed to satisfy was my desire to play music again and writings. The accident robbed me of the ability to play guitar and piano, so many years ago I worked on singing. Much to my surprise, I discovered a new instrument - one that took no hand or finger dexterity! To my surprise again, I found musicians interested in playing with me, ignoring my chair altogether. I professionally recorded some songs, played in bars and parties for money and played some songs that I've loved since my teens. It was a successful musical career, if only to me.

My writing is a different animal than the music. I started out writing reviewing CDs and performances for the college newspaper, moving on to a few music oriented local magazines. From there I started expressing myself via short stories, essays, poems and song lyrics, using both fiction and non-fiction. Today, I still write on anything that grabs me by the throat, but I'd say it's more autobiographical now. It's been a goal to self-publish a small book of fictional stories, and so I'm hoping to make that reality sometime this year.

Thirty-year journey as a quadriplegic, and I'm just a man searching for peace - buscando la paz!

[andyc251]

Congratulations man!

I can't imagine how it must have been to be a quad 30 years ago, accessibility-wise it seems like the dark ages.

[sverige888]

Keep up the writing!! Loving your stories (even the hard ones...).
Hope you find peace in this thing called ´life´.
(peace usually comes when least expected, and can go by unnoticed, so keep looking)

[Pony]

Yeah, you're right, Andy...it was the dark ages for access AND social acceptance, but things were starting to turn at that point - maybe coz technology, maybe just sign of the times, not sure.

Thanks for the CONGRATS!! Hell, it's hard making it 30 years in ANY condition. lol I was kinda blessed coz never had any serious probs with pressure sores, and no Kidney stones - only some irritating UTIs in the past five years!

Not sure if I'll do anything to celebrate the 30-mark, but it's kinda fun to look back at the journey and reflect. I'm positive most of you have similar journeys that just make u shake ur head.

[Ciao Bella]

What a milestone, Tony! Your attitude is something a lot of people are lacking, and could sure use a lot more of

[doe]

Tones, you have more ticker and soul than most people I know and you put most AB's to shame.

A homeowner, musician, writer, armchair (or should that be wheelchair) philosopher, sometimes nutcase... may you never lose your positive attitude. It''s a fundamental part of who you are...

Life is a journey that will never end and more mountains will come your way, no doubt (and for us all). So I hope you do celebrate this milestone.. if nowhere else, then right here on the board with us! You have a whole lot of achievements of which to be proud.

Now, enough of the mushy sop... you practice your dev pickup techniques on your cat? That's a side of you I have never seen before ;D!

[Ouch]

Thirty years, damn; I've been a wheeler my whole life, and still have catching up to do.

Congrats indeed, thirty years by any standard is something to cherish. I think you've already celebrated, Tony - just living life is celebrating each of those years, and those that lie beyond.

[Dee Dee]

Feb 18, 2010 17:50:59 GMT -5 doe said:

Now, enough of the mushy sop... you practice your dev pickup techniques on your cat? That's a side of you I have never seen before ;D!

Yes, and the cat´s a boy even - Tony, leave that cat alone - he doesn´t want to hook up with you ;D.

[canadiandev]

Tony, I love reading your posts. I really appreciate your honesty, sense of humour, and warmth. Congrats and I hope you do celebrate!

[Dee Dee]

Tony, go to Jollimon´s and celebrate who you are - have your favourite beer on me .

[Pony]

lol...you guys are crazy as hell. 1st, WOWY...WICKED COOLIO!! Do you actually say those things with dat cute Kiwi accent, Banana??? haha

Since that thread about damn chair creaking, I've been noticing my chair noises more, and it's RIDICULOUS LOUD....snaps, pops, squeaks, etc. Now I'm self-conscious about it around peeps...lol And now I know why I can't sneak up on my cat. BTW, he was watching TV last night...I shit you not!! He was watching Animal Planet...not making this shit up!!! Little bastard deleted all my email the other day....i don't even know how to do that!!!!

Fubbster, I'm really glad you're sharing your story with others. I think you're right, we all have great stories in us, and that's how we teach AND learn. My friends are still amazed at you traveling from OZ to drive around the states. You come back around, and we'll have that BOW meeting with some imported WOWY members. lol

Thanks CanadaDev...you know your Blue Jays play Spring training games here in my town. Canadiens flood the place with their headlights on all day...lol It's great.

[€squire]

Tony, you are an amazing guy! If only we could bottle your attitude and enthusiasm for life. I see so many miserable people every day, and sometimes I think that at least one contributing factor in their communal misery is the fact that they have it too easy. The most well-adjusted people that I know have a source of resistance in their lives, something that must be pushed back hard against, a manageable struggle that yields positive, verifiable results. I believe people need to be challenged, either from within or by circumstance, before they can really come to know themselves, their limitations, and most importantly, their exceptional talents and abilities, as you so clearly do.

I will celebrate my 23rd year on the mountain in May. It can be a very cold and unforgiving place if you allow it to be, especially at these altitudes. But I find comfort in looking up the steep way ahead to extraordinary people who have gone before me, who light the way with their tenacious spirit and powerful words that echo my own life and give me a true sense of normalcy that helps confirm my next step in the journey. Thank you Tony.

[Pony]

All this talk about the mountain reminds me of that pic Chan posted of Andy pushing up the mountain with backpack on - DAMN!! lol

I'll tell you what was challenging, driving to my alma mater (USF) for basketball game today - too much traffic! The gate guy leads me to the wrong lot, no w/c parking spots. Plus, my w/c seat was obstructed and $30 too much. Plus, WE L0ST!!! lol

[canadiandev]

Feb 19, 2010 10:30:06 GMT -5 Pony said:

Thanks CanadaDev...you know your Blue Jays play Spring training games here in my town. Canadiens flood the place with their headlights on all day...lol It's great.

I never thought I liked baseball until I saw a live game last summer. Way more fun than on TV. Lucky you!