Judgement Day
NO! My death is not imminently approaching. The title really refers to my observations over the past few months. I've never been a great listener, but not being able to talk has forced me to become a great listener. It's one of those Yin and Yang thangs I mentioned several postings ago.
Man, when you really listen you hear the most amazing things come out of peoples' mouth! Most of the things are questioning or judgemental in nature. Don’t get me wrong I was right there with you when I could keep up with the pace of conversation and am still fighting that inherent urge today.
We've become a society of Judge Judys... One big Westminister Dog Show (minus the owners prancing around in circles)
Every person is made up of two things... Their genetic biochemical make-up and their life experiences (The values and morals that they were raised with) . That's how they make their decisions. Most of us have little insight into that unique combination that makes each individual who they are and why they make the decisions they do.
Let me give you an example:
I abhor George Bush's politics... But who am I to judge or question the decisions that he make?
I know little about his biochemical make-up or his background growing up. For all I know he may have been abused or sexually molested as a child. Furthermore, I've never had to sit in the Oval Office, with the future of the free world at stake, and make the monumental decisions that he is forced to make. So who am I to judge his decisions?
As a society we judge people by the shoes they wear, the cars they drive, and choices that they make in life. They make those choices for the reasons I describe above.
Next time you have an opportunity to question or judge someone for their actions, please join me and refrain. It is what it is.
HEALTH UPDATE
The steady decline so typical of ALS is no less typical for me. Over the past 3 months I have lost my ability to walk un-aided, lost my ability to speak (for the most part), and wouldn't be using this computer if not for some great technology.
I am very fortunate that my swallowing hasn't changed much at all, allowing me to pretty much eat whatever I want (with someone feeding me) and keeping my weight up near normal. My goal is to be the fattest person with ALS.
Breathing is what usually gets ALS patients in the end. My lung capacity has decreased steadily but my diaphragm remains strong. There is also a new study that I'll hopefully be taking part in. They place electrodes on the diaphragm and you hook it up to a Prius several times a day (all but the last part is true) It's shown to maintain diaphragm function for up to 2 years.
Only downside is the surgery is at Stanford. For all I know they'll cut me open with an axe. On second thought... They don't have an axe and it’s not looking like they'll have one any time soon!
I'm also seeing a Tibetan doctor once a month and taking some herbs blessed by the Dalai Lama.
Have also been taking Human Growth Hormone for about 2 months. Hard to gauge whether any of these measures are helping, hurting or completely innocuous.
That's all I know for now. Next time I'll update you on an incredible day at the old ballyard.
DD NJ (Never Judge)
posted by Darren Dent @ 7:39 AM
1 comments
