Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Shawshank Redemption

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?

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

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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

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

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//

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

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.