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#520954 10/25/24 10:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
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stevec Offline OP
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I loved the notion of Andy Dufresne writing a letter for years until his implacable incessant determination rewarded the prison with a fully stocked library, perhaps because I love the feel of a hardcover book or perhaps because AS mandated dogged determination.

So for very solely self indulgent purposes and some personal therapy, I will Dufresne some posts here beckoning a soul or two to join me intermittently.

I preface this question with a story. I was in a car crash 6 years ago. Car crash sounds more like the type of thing, where in the aftermath the two drivers get out of rumpled vehicles and tenuously approaching each other to share insurance information. It even sounds like a furious but awesome NASCAR mishap where the driver looses control in the bank of a curve and jumps out as the pit crew grimaces in despair.

I was in more of a car wreck. After the collision I opened my unconscious unremembering eyes to a Good Samaritan dragging me rumpled like a shattered accordion from a the remnants of a smoking car that had been pushed 25 feet onto the sidewalk beyond the road.

My singular AS nightmare had happened. I, lying on the roadway dreading a future in a wheelchair unable to help my wife and 3 then 16 year old daughters, was toast.

24-48 hours later I was told I had a C1 cervical fracture. It was non displaced and some other medical word of optimism meaning it might heal in a manner where I would be a bit less functional than before but still ambulatory

IT DID.

My already brittle and bent spine was now more brittle and bent, my feet feel always like I just got out of a pool after 10 hours of foot pruning, but otherwise I could and can walk.

Lots of cathartic rambling, but…hey… there isn’t anyone here to “hear”.

I share this because I have had a multitude of AS miracle moments to carry me through this disease. The day the neurosurgeon told me to get out of his office and not come back, because to his epically joyful dismay because I was better WAS MY GREATEST MIRACLE. It also inspired me to seek out those small miracle moments that occur almost daily to make me win my battle.

Do you- empty room of ASKickers - have a mega miracle moment to share?

Do you believe in the value of seeking out the mini-miracle moments that carry you downstream through ASlife?

Last edited by stevec; 10/25/24 10:35 PM.



L-R: Julianna, Jamie, Diane and Tonimarie

stevec-they also serve who stand and wait
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Hey Steve,

Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie of all time... watched it so many times in 90s trying to get through some of the rough days with AS... "get busy living, or get busy dying"... "hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.. and no good thing ever dies". Those are some of the quotes I took with me through my battles with AS.

Sorry to hear about the car accident... was a fear of my father's as well and he was in a minor one, but no where near as impactful as yours sounds. Fortunately I have only been in 1 very slight accident someone hit me from behind.

Keep on Kicking and writing!

Tim


AS may win some battles, but I will win the war.

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Speaking of Accordions, Steve, which you weren't but did mention it in passing! The accordion, well specifically a one hundred year old, white mother of pearl one changed my life, may even have saved it. I was fourteen years and three quarters whence I saw it in Jack Brentnall's music shop in the middle of Nottingham in the east midlands of England. I had gone there with my father to buy a guitar for my Christmas present, but when I saw the accordion in the shop window I was instantly besotted by it. This was a couple or three years before I had suffered any effects of AS, good days. Hereafter my life was changed, for the better, I met an Accordion teacher and his wife who became lifelong friends and have made my life in music since that purchase more or less, the advent of AS meant, when I was very stooped, that I could no longer play the thing but fortunately had graduated to piano by then, now arthritic hands prevent me playing the piano, but I have had the joy of music in my life for sixty odd years. How clever of you to attract my attention by mentioning the Accordion, Steve. A true delight to speak with you here again and I will respond to your previous post referring to my best seller multi-million pound earner of a book in a while.

Alan

Last edited by ineptwill; 11/17/24 03:13 PM. Reason: bad typing
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Hello Alan,

The sound of the accordion, always takes me back to my youth. My family has no musical talent... but growing up, our neighbor across the street had an accordion and in summer he always played it outside or in his garage and we could enjoy the music.

I also love bagpipe music... accordion and bagpipe must be two of the more difficult instruments to play I would assume.

Tim

Last edited by Dotyisle; 11/18/24 02:32 PM.

AS may win some battles, but I will win the war.

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Hello Tim, long time no chat. In my opinion one of the best accordion players around now, is an American, name of Peter Soave. I think that you are an American living in Argentina? Which takes me to the next bit , the very very best composer for Accordion was Argentinian, Astor Piazzola, glorious, I presume you have seen Tango in the Argentine, my daughter has, all to Accordion music, she said it was a sight to behold.

So you have the very best in the Americas. The accordion is quite difficult to play, mainly the left hand with its 120 buttons, they look complex but not so bad if you understand the circle of fifths!. the left hand is laid out in short rows according to the fifths rule, if you will permit I shall elucidate.

F C G D A E B F# C# G# D# A# E# B# SEE A PATTERN//

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stevec Offline OP
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Tim

Glad you still pop in here. My accident was traumatic but probably more plus than minus now years in the aftermath. I don’t live the additional damage it did but as the laws and f physics require it was a force the resulted in an equal and opposite reaction redirecting me on to a new and more insightful path.

The goal is to forever be a learner and less and less a grumbler. Students marvel at the world. I want to marvel and pretend to stay young.

Seems like Mateo will keep you young for years to come




L-R: Julianna, Jamie, Diane and Tonimarie

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stevec Offline OP
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I always had an affinity for music but never endeavored to be a participant in playing. My typo skill warned me I might too often strike the wrong keys. My wry sense of irreverence might cause me to additionally intentionally add a few more sour notes.

I suspect music is a slice of the divine driving down to earth.

Perhaps it’s never too late.


My Tonimarie loves to tinker with her ukulele and Jamie is about a year into dabbling with a guitar that my brother in law gave her. Thankfully they are more persist souls than there dad.

As I recall in my full mind, KickAS was blessed with one of your hits a wee bit back.


Hope to keep meeting up with you on my occasional pop ins here.




L-R: Julianna, Jamie, Diane and Tonimarie

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A very happy Christmas and new year to you and yours Steve, it has been nice chatting with you and Tim, a little like old times. Likewise apropos the meet ups. Fabulous


Alan G

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I am back in States for now visiting my mom for the holidays. First time seeing/experiencing snow in 15 years which is last time I was in States for holidays.

My brother passed this year in June and hence why I am back here with my mom. My father-in-law passed early December... both had cancer and were big losses in my life as they were both great individuals, emotionally a difficult year.

I do want to wish happy holidays to everyone here... this place saved me so many times and was a sanctuary when I needed it, there are too many great people here to try and even count and remember them all.

I wish you all the best during the holidays and for 2025. Take one day at a time and keep on Kicking!

Tim


AS may win some battles, but I will win the war.

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Guys, I cannot tell you how happy I was to see the three of you had popped around. I haven't in about a year now, which I realised just the other day. All three of you have crossed my mind since.

Steve, I am so sorry to hear about the accident and C1 injury. But somehow I am not surprised that you have become even more insightful. Thank you for that. I needed to hear it.

Tim it is good to know you are well, but I am so very sorry to hear about your brother and father-in-law. Love and light.

Alan I am so sorry you aren't playing anymore. One of my fondest memories is singing while you played in Toronto that evening. I've missed your wry humour.

I'm still kicking, but it's been a bit more difficult this past year. Erosive Osteo in my right hand. yay. And diagnosed with Crohn's in June 2020. Also Occiputal Neuralgia. I've lived with both of those for as long as I can remember, but both were missed even though I was asking the questions. We're still pottering about here. Our ginormous 55kg dog keeps me busy. Brian's health took a bad turn back in Autumn 2019 and it's been a real journey back. I think we might be almost there. lol

I recorded and released an album in 2019 and began recording on a second one that got a tad sidetracked when I became a caregiver. But most of the recording was done, just some fixes and final mix left, so I've picked that up again and hope to get it completed fairly soon. And I've been working on a one woman show based on an original concept created by my pianist, who wrote the music as well. And I've been writing a book about British Loyalist families that fled the States after the Revolution and created the Niagara area of Ontario. Kind of fell into that one doing some family tree work. So, that's the nutshell version.

Hopefully, one of you sees this.

Love and light,


Kat

A life lived in fear is a life half lived.
"Strictly Ballroom"

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