'Body of War' is a must see
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'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 13 2008 at 10:36pm by Nov/12/08
It amazes me no one has commented on this film yet. Then again, I am used to people who do not want to see the ugly truth of war, and the ugly truth of a young unsuspecting person suddenly trapped in a wheelchair for life.
If it had not been for The Rachel Maddow Show, I would not have seen Phil Donahue talking about 'Body of War' two nights ago and I would have totally missed this informative and inspirational documentary.
Like Tomas Young, I am a U.S. military veteran (Army). Like Tomas Young, I am stuck in a wheelchair. Like Tomas Young I know what it is like to fight infection after infection, spasms, and all the rest. At the moment I am having all my teeth replaced because of infections. I understand physical and emotional pain. I understand every little loss. I understand being left alone and feeling lonely. Indeed, I understand Tomas Young's story all to well.
When Phil said to Rachel that Tomas Young could not perspire I said, 'Thank you! Phil,' even though my ability to speak is almost gone.
I do not know how many people I have told, 'I do not perspire anymore.' The few people I see once in a while do not understand that merely going outside during the day can literally limit my ability to breathe, especially when it is hot outside. Still, people continue to encourage me to go outside and possibly risk having a tracheotomy performed, or worse - losing my life.
The only difference we seemingly have is that I fought the VA alone only to lose… to be dumped out of my wheelchair, dropped, ignored, and left to sit in pain in small dingy hospital rooms for hours waiting to see another human being who might have been able to help me just a little bit. Unlike Tomas, I have no family - my mother was murdered and my father died a long time ago… everyone else walked out. When those I thought cared walked out - strong as I can be - I reluctantly gave up looking for answers and help.
I understand healthy, happy walking people do not understand… and why should they? my life is not their life. I am just another hideously crippled guy in a wheelchair no one wants to talk to or spend time with. I am going to die. Alright. We all die. But people told me they did not want to be my friend because it would hurt them too much when it is over. 'But what about my feelings,' I asked. They said they did not want to hurt my feelings but they must move on. Okay, I can see their point of view but can they not move on when it is over!?
Now, I sit and sleep in my near-broken-down wheelchair in a corner of my home in the dark trying to stay as cold as I can, desperately looking for anyone to break the endless silence. Often, I am scolded if I question a decision, assert my rights as a human being, or ask for something I need, which only causes more loss and feelings of guilt.
I am glad Tomas Young's story was told, and I cannot tell you how happy I am that Tomas and everyone involved with this documentary had the guts to show and tell everyone the truth. There are too many like us in this country left for dead.
But most of all, 'Body of War' made me feel at least there is someone else out there like me, and that knowledge makes me feel a little less alone.
Thank you to Rachel for having Phil on her show, but more importantly thank you Tomas for sharing your life with us, your story needed to be told.
'Body of War' is a must see because there are many who will be coming home to who knows what - and we must be ready to lend a helping hand.
Anonymous no more!
Sean
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 17 2008 at 2:10am by DEAR SEAN, I MISSED THE SHOW THE OTHER NIGHT, BUT I WILL SEE IT TOMORROW IN THE AFTERNOON.
YOU ARE RIGHT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD SEE THIS BUT I RARELY SEE ANY TV. ADS FOR THE SUNDANCE CHANNEL. SOMETIMES I FORGET I HAVE IT. I TOO SAW THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW AND I KNEW IF PHIL DONOHUE WAS INVOLVED IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT.
SEAN I HAVE NEVER REPLIED TO ANYONE ONLINE, BUT YOUR STORY MAD ME FEEL I HAD TO COMMENT. THIS WHOLE WAR HAS BEEN A SHAM AND BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE YOU PAID TOO HIGH A PRICE. ALL THE VETS SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY WHEN THEY COME HOME. I AM ASHAMED OF OUR GOVERNMENT, THE ONE THAT GOT US INTO THIS UNNECESSARILY . BUSH IS ALWAYS MENTIONING THE BRAVE SOLDIERS BUT WHAT IS DONE FOR THEM. SEAN, I CANT BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE YOU KNEW SAID THEY HAD TO MOVE ON BECAUSE IT WAS TO DIFFICULT TO HAVE YOU AS A FRIEND. THOSE WERENT REAL FRIENDS. I WAS A HIPPIE IN THE THE 60'S AND I WAS AGAINST THAT WAR TOO. I HAVE A HEALTHY 28YR OLD SON, MY ONLY CHILD. THE THOUGHT THAT IF MYSELF AND HUSBAND WERE NO LONGER HERE THAT MY SON WOULD HAVE NO ONE JUST MAKES ME CRY. I WILL THINK OF YOU EVERYDAY FROM NOW ON AND HOPE THAT SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE. IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO IWOULD. I HOPE YOU RESPOND TO THIS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE CARE DEEPLY. DONNA BAKER
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RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 18 2008 at 1:02am by DEAR SEAN I WATCHED "BODY OF WAR" TODAY. WASNT SEN BYRD AWESOME? I HAVE LET EVERYONE I KNOW, ABOUT THIS SHOW. ALSO CINDY SHEHAN WAS GREAT. THOMAS YOUNG HAD A LARGE FAMILY AROUND HIM, THAT WAS GOOD. IM STILL SAD ABOUT YOU NOT HAVING PARENTS. SEAN IF YOU NEED EAR TO BITCH AT FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME. LET ME KNOW. ID LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU, IM HERE IF YOU NEED ME. I CAMPAIGNED FOR BARAK OBAMA. I HAVE "HOPE", YES WE DID. ALL THE BEST DONNA BAKER -
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 20 2008 at 7:05pm by Dearest Donna,
Thank you much for your kind post. But believe me when I say to you, I am not important.
Your son is more important to you than I am because he is part of you. He is a young man serving his country in a strange and distant land. As it is with me, I am sure many wish they could return him to your side. Yet, it seems only our government can return him home to you so you can continue sharing in each other's lives again. As I see it, we must all work together to make sure our government reunites both of you soon.
Tomas' story is not mine it is his alone. Through all he has endured, I am impressed by his outlook on life. Although a fearful position to have to face at any age, his life experience reflects our better nature back to us through his story. In addition, the film asks how we might endure such a life as his and treats their subject with dignity.
His lust for life is contagious. His determination, how he values what it means when people hear what he has to say are two issues I am drawn to. I have discovered most people listen but do not hear. It is frustrating when few hear what we say.
When we learn to communicate clearly, we come to understand our impact on those around us. It is also important to value our singularity - that which distinguishes us from others. But if we do not listen to hear one another, we lose touch with all in life that has meaning. Then, we lose our ability or desire to succeed, or to do good wherever we are needed. Life through Thomas' eyes in 'Body of War' helps us honor our will to live, and our will to succeed. 'Body of War' reminds us of our humanness, our fragility, and why we must not squander away our time on this planet. I was struck by how remarkable human beings can be - how we are able to endure and integrate anything into our lives - even when everything around us seems bleak.
Still, where I cannot take ones painful memories away, I can admire their strength and encourage them to keep moving forward, just as Christopher Reeve encouraged me through his writings. Where I cannot share exact similitude, I have shared (in my post) a little of my own experience, and want for better days. Thus, it would be unkind if I did not sincerely wish Tomas Young and all in 'Body of War’, the best of everything they can find in life.
I cannot move my body and have limited use of my arms and hands, so I need my caregiver to feed me, bath me, dress me, and help me use the bathroom. When I cannot talk, my caregiver must be my voice, which can be frustrating at times.
Because I have no control of my body, my torso and head fall to the right of my wheelchair. When I fall asleep, my body slowly slides off my chair and at times, I wake up only to discover my head resting on the wheel of my power chair. Talk about pain! If I am in that position, too long nothing will relieve the pain.
Unfortunately, I woke up in such a position unable to move the day I received notice of your post. Since then I have been fighting a blinding headache and trying to lift myself out of the slough of despond. I tried several times to write you but the physical pain was impossible to believe, thus I gave up trying to write. With that said, I hope you can forgive me for not responding to your post before now.
And so it goes….
Be well Donna, and thank you for caring.
Regards,
Sean-
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 22 2008 at 11:29pm by DEAR SEAN, DONT SAY YOU DONT COUNT, YOU DO. YOU ARE NOT BEING TREATED RIGHT ESPECIALLY FOR A MILITARY HERO. YOU SOUND VERY RESIGNED, BUT THEN WHEN YOU MENTIONED READING CHRISTOPHER REEVES YOU SAID YOU " WANT FOR BETTER DAYS". YOU SOUND LIKE A VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON AND YOU CAN TYPE. SO YOU SHOULD WRITE A PIECE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR EMOTIONS COME THROUGH YOUR WRITING, YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT WRITER. SEAN I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTOOD MY SON WAS NOT IN THE SERVICE. HES AN HOUR ASWAY FROM ME, AND SOMETIMES I FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF THAT I DONT SEE HIM MORE OFTEN. HE AND I WERE ATTACHED AT THE HIP LIKE BEST FRIENDS.SLOWLY HIS LIFE IS GETTING FULLER AND BUSY. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT HE IS WELL AND DOING OK. SEAN, WHEN MY SON WAS A CHILD I WAS HIS ADVOCATE, BY THAT I MEAN I MADE SURE EVERYTHING HE DID WAS THE BEST FOR HIM. SCHOOLS,MUSIC,FUN. I WAS THERE. NOW I WILL BE YOUR ADVOCATE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT (SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE MOTHER) I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A LADY IN MY CHILDHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HER FOUNDATION FOR UNDERPRIVELED KIDS. I HOPE SOME DAY MY NEIGHBORHOOOD IS AS IDYLLIC AS IT WAS WHEN I WAS A KID. THIS WOMAN IM HELPING IS AWESOME. SHE DOES THIS IN HER OWN HOME, IN THREE ROOMS OF HER OWN HOME. I REALLY ADMIRE HER AND HOPE THAT I WILL BE OF HELP TO HER. IM TRYING TO FIND CORPORATE FUNDING, WHICH I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, BUT I KNOW HOW TO BE AN ADVOCATE SO WISH ME LUCK. BACK TO MR. SEAN. YOU PROBABLY KNOW STEPHEN HAWKING THE PHYSICIST, WHO HAS ALS AND CANNOT TALK OR MOVE AND HE CONTRIBUTES ENORMOUSLY. REMEMBER CHRIS REEVES HOW HE DID ALL HE COULD WITH HIS LIMITATIONS. IM NOT SAYING YOUR SITUATION ISNT HORRIBLY CHALLENGING. YOURE INTITLED TO BE AS ANGRY AS YOU WANT. IM ANGRY FOR YOU SO I AM GOING TO DIRECT THAT ANGER TO TRY TO HELP YOU AND IN TURN OTHERS. I HAVE REALLY HIGH HOPES FOR PRES.OBAMA. SEAN, I AM GOING TO CONTACT PHIL DONAHUE,RACHAEL MADDOW,ARNOLD SWARZSENEGGER, SENATOR DICK DURBIN FROM ILLINOIS, THATS WHERE IM AT AND ALSO BARAK OBAMA. BELIEVE IT OR NOT I WAS AT A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE. SO I HAVE A REALLY COOL PICTURE WITH HIM. WOW I MET A PRESIDENT. THIS PRESIDENCY IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT FOR MY FAMILY BECAUSE MY SON IS THE SAME 2 NATIONALITIES AS BARAK. HIS FAHER IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND IM IRISH AMERICANL LIKE I SAID I HAVE REALLY HIGH HOPES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I CAMPAIGNED FOR BOBBY KENNEDY. WELL SEAN THATS MY STORY. IM GLAD YOURE ABLE TO TYPE, WRITE STORIES ABOUT YOUR LIFE. EVERYONES LIFE IS INTERESTING TO OTHER PEOPLE. HOPE TO TALK TO YOU SOON. MAYBE IF YOU STILL WANT TO TALK WE SHOULD GET OFF OF THIS BLOG. LET ME KNOW . HOPE TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY FOR YOU, OR AS MY DAD USE TO SAY " IM AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED". GOODNIGHT YOUR FRIEND DONNA -
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 25 2008 at 8:06am by Dearest Donna,
I purposely truncated the message I left for you about a day after I posted it because I felt my response was too long and strayed away from the subject of this documentary. By doing so, I wound up leaving what I now see one might construe as a mixed message.
My caregiver types all my correspondence for me, because, as I said, I lack the power to use my arms and hands. Therefore, it is rare that I post anything on the internet anymore.
When I said ‘want for better days,’ I ought to have specified that I was addressing the ghastly state of our healthcare programs as well as the financial mess in which we find ourselves in America.
On a more personal level, it has been nearly fifteen years since an unknown assailant murdered my mom, which I mentioned in my first post. She was a loving grandmother with not a single enemy in the world. It is an unimaginable loss for those of us who lose a loved one in such a manner. Cold-blooded murder makes no sense to me.
Detectives have not been able to solve her murder and my ‘want for better days,’ is to know who killed my mom, why they killed her, and see justice done.
As for me, my ‘want for better days’ is that I do not know if I will live to see the day detectives catch and charge her killer. Since her murder remains unsolved, I fight minute by minute for every breath of life I can get. As a side note to that statement, I have found when one is fighting for every moment of life; there always exists a lack of irate behavior because life is too important. My experience is that most disabled or terminally ill people have no time for anger.
Nonetheless, in talking to others who have lost loved ones to violent crime there simply is no forgetting such an indescribable tragedy.
I am resigned to knowing I can only wait for detectives to tell me they have solved the case. Because I am so ill, what they do or do not do is beyond my control.
Like Christopher and Dana Reeve, as well as Tomas Young, my ‘want for better days,’ is to live to see stem cell studies yielding relief, or cures. Then I could go back into the entertainment industry here in California – I miss my work.
At last read, Dr. Hawking does not give any thought to his disease according to an article on his website.
Although ALS and other disabilities may not be a topic Dr. Hawking thinks about much, I felt this was not the place to publish my work as an advocate. I support and promote organizations such as family and friends of murder victims, ADA, ALS, other disabled people, the national campaign for tolerance and others.
Many disabled people have said they refuse to join any messageboard because able-bodied people cite Christopher Reeve as a hero to emulate too often. They have told me such a remark immediately shames them and portrays their life experience invalid. This is the central reason for online communities, podcasts, and so forth, for people like me. We value them because there is no judgment or baiting. I listen to a podcast from England and occasionally post comments on their site because I am English born and I guess I am just a little proud of my Celtic ancestry. I have family who live in England and Ireland. There are many online disability communities here in America that broadcast podcasts as well. I listen to them to find out what is happening in the disabled community here.
It remains for me to mention, after hearing and reading Mr. Reeve, I doubt he would want anyone to invoke his name simply for inspirations sake. Although he looked to the future, he was also aware how fragile life is. Though I ware the Superman dog tags Mr. Reeve’s wife, Dana, created after his death, who among us would have thought at the time the foundation would lose such a strong, fearless, talented, funny, and beautiful woman.
Because of my work with ALSA, I received a letter on September 23, 2008. It states the Department of Veterans Affairs published groundbreaking new laws that grant military veterans diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease full access to health and disability benefits, regardless of where or when they served in the military. The new rules took effect that day. ALS has taken too many of our heroes and it continues to strike veterans at twice the rate as the general public.
While we have made important progress in expanding benefits for veterans and advancing the search for a treatment, we must do more. We need to learn why our troops are at greater risk and take action to protect them. We need to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve and have earned. And we need to find a treatment.
Every 90 minutes a doctor in the United States diagnosis someone with ALS, and every 90 minutes, someone in the United States dies because of ALS.
But it is a double-edged sword because if a veteran is in a hospice care program, the new VA benefits are useless. The disabled and ill veteran must choose between the two programs that do not deliver total care. For instance, I waited five years for a headrest for my wheelchair through VA, and my wheelchair did not have a cushion the day I got it. Now that I am in hospice care, the state puts limits on what durable medical equipment I can have, and I cannot leave my home unless it is to see a dentist. Thus, I have learned there is no perfect program that will be suitable for disabled veterans or the veteran on the street. The model depends on how far advanced a veteran patients disability is.
As stated, I am in a 'In Home Hospice Care' program. I am one of those people that do not seek a handout all I ask for is a hand up when I need it. Otherwise, I fight each day alone and live the best of life left me as best I can. No one can ask for more than that from me - except Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
As I require an in-home caregiver, I find myself fighting the state, the county, and the federal government every year, but especially now because of the financial problems in California. Yet, because I am not allowed to leave my home, my caregiver must act for me when government agencies try to remove me from programs I need to continue living. It is important for all of us to remember what veterans are coming home to, because they just might need help that individual families cannot afford to provide. We cannot allow any more veterans to wind-up living under freeways all across this country.
This past Veterans Day disabled veterans and the workers who provide their home care rallied to demand Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers protect efficient programs that provide proven results to taxpayers - like the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program here in California.
My ‘want for better days’ is when the state understands that terminal illness means terminal illness.
My ‘want for better days’ is when discrimination no longer exists. No veteran should be turned away because he or she does not have private insurance.
‘“IHSS provides home care for more than 429,000 low-income people with disabilities, the elderly, disabled veterans, and blind, while saving taxpayers millions of dollars by eliminating the need for costly long-term care institutions.
"I'm a veteran and, yes, I'm disabled. I'm able to live independently at home because of home care, but enough is enough. I'm tired of hearing our state leaders say 'every program budget cut is on the table.' Why is an efficient program that I rely upon still on the table when it's been proven repeatedly to be among the most cost-effective in the country?" said Herb Meyer, a Korean War veteran, senior, and IHSS consumer from Marin County. "The public wants a fair and balanced budget, and that means protecting programs that give taxpayers the most bang for their buck."
The Legislative Analyst's Office has estimated that annual spending on each IHSS recipient is $9,924. But if that IHSS consumer is forced into nursing homes (also known as, sniffs), the state pays about $55,000 a year, and the quality of care is appalling. The IHSS program is a cost-effective part of California's long-term care system, enabling thousands of Californians - including disabled veterans, seniors, and other persons with disabilities - to stay out of nursing homes and other institutions.
"Legislators have repeatedly told Governor Schwarzenegger that IHSS is among the cost-effective and efficient state programs," said Karen Sandidge, an IHSS provider in Sacramento County and member of SEIU-UHW. "They have rejected his cuts in the past and we hope the Governor takes a closer look at this program so he can see it is working well and delivering value to taxpayers."
"It is still crystal clear that our budget system is broken," said Bill Young, a Korean War veteran, senior, and IHSS consumer from Sacramento County. "How else do you explain the Governor proposing cuts to a cost-effective program? All we hear from the Governor is that we need to sacrifice and tighten our belts. Well, Governor Schwarzenegger, you've already put the belt around my neck. How much more do you want to tighten it?"
"This isn't belt-tightening and sacrifice; it's a tourniquet, a desperate measure by a Governor who has squandered the political will and fiscal sense that could have fixed the state's unstable budget system," said Marty Omoto, Director and Organizer of CA Disability Community Action (CDCAN).
IHSS is a statewide public program providing essential personal care and domestic services to approximately 429,000 disabled veterans, the aged, blind or other disabled Californians who are unable to remain safely in their own homes without such assistance.
"This is a program where the Federal government matches the state's commitment and we're walking away from millions of dollars in funding," said John Wilkins, an IHSS consumer in Fresno County and Co-Chair of the Quality Homecare Coalition. "Local and regional governments are left holding the bag. This is exactly the type of short-sighted budget process that put California in this fiscal crisis to begin with. I hope the Governor recognizes he has proven himself a reckless and irresponsible fiscal manager - even worse than former governors he mocked before running for the office in 2003."
"While we recognize the dire fiscal situation of the California state budget, it is inexcusable for the Governor to sacrifice the health and welfare of disabled veterans, seniors, and other people with disabilities and their caregivers with these devastating budget cut proposals," said home care provider Ed Huddleston of Merced, a veteran and a member of the United Domestic Workers of America.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet again proposed drastic cuts ($348.9 million this year and over $1 billion next year) to cash assistance for low-income elderly, disabled veterans, blind or other disabled consumers who depend on two vital programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Program (SSP).
The Governor also plans to slash the fixed incomes of approximately 1.3 million Californians who are disabled veterans, elderly, blind, or have other disabilities - people who depend on SSI/SSP grants to survive. The current SSI/SSP grant is only $870 for an individual and $1,524 for a couple. People who depend on SSI are supposed to pay for all their needs - food, shelter, utilities, and transportation - out of this amount. The Governor has proposed cutting SSI/SSP grants to $830 for an individual and $1,407 for a couple.”’
I need not say, on such an income I am without a wheelchair van to go to dental appointments, and therefore must spend a small fortune to rent a wheelchair van for a few hours. What am I saying; I must pay for an entire day for a forty-five minute appointment with my dentist.
‘”Taking that money away from poor Californians won't have a great effect on California's budget but it will have a grim effect on the people who rely on it to survive," said Frances Gracechild, Executive Director of Resources for Independent Living Centers and Co-Chair of the Quality Homecare Coalition. "Approximately 78 percent of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers receive SSI/SSP. California's SSI/SSP recipients are not eligible for food stamps - therefore, the loss of the federal SSI COLA will not be balanced with food stamp benefits as is done in many other states."
The Legislative Analyst's Office analysis has suggested in the past that the Governor's funding freeze would jeopardize the IHSS program by making it difficult to retain quality home care workers. In addition to rolling back work pay to minimum wage, a number of care providers would lose their health insurance due to inadequate funding. And many will lose their homes because of Schwarzenegger's funding freeze.
"It is difficult to believe that the Governor should have such a complete lack of understanding about how difficult it will be for IHSS workers as a result of frozen wages and lack of healthcare benefits," said Jerry Williams, a Sutter County IHSS provider, member of SEIU 4034/AFSCME and twenty-year veteran of the National Guard. "If he could live for just one week in our shoes, he would see things differently and revise his proposals."
"We have lobbied the Governor continuously about his cuts and funding freezes, and he continues to ignore our pleas," said Bill Powers of the California Alliance for Retired Americans.”’
And so it goes….
Donna, I sincerely hope this is taken in the spirit in which it is intended… to fill in the gaps that apparently made my post vague. I am sorry I truncated this out of my post.
Because I cannot type without my caregiver, and because I cannot leave my e-mail address on an open blog, I will let you decide if you want to leave your e-mail address.
Good luck to you in your future philanthropic endeavors!
Be well to you and yours.
My best regards,
Sean-
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Nov 28 2008 at 11:15pm by HI SEAN, I DIDNT REALIZE THAT YOUR CARETAKER WAS TYPEING FOR YOU. YOUR LAST POST WAS SO POWERFUL. YOU REALLY KNOW THE SITUATION AND EXPLAINED IT VERY WELL. I GUESS I THOUGHT ARNOLD WOULD BE A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE REPUBLICAN, BECAUSE HIS WIFE IS A DEMOCRAT, BUT NO SUCH LUCK. HAHA. I AM TRULY HOPEING THAT THIS CRAZY ECONOMY STARTS TO MOVE ON TO BETTER DAYS. MOST OF IT SEEMS LIKE A HOAX, LIKE THE GAS CRISIS WHAT A PILE OF CRAP. SUDDENLY GAS CAN GO BACK TO UNDER $2.00, ITS JUST ANOTHER SCAM FROM BUSH AND HIS GANG. I DID GO TO THE SOUTHSIDE TO THE TURKEY DINNER , IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL FOR EVERYONE. THIS WEEKEND IM MAKING THE FAMILY DINNER SO I WONT WRITE UNTIL MONDAY. DONT FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO EVERY CRAZY POST I MAKE. IVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND PHIL DONAHOUES EMAIL, TO WRITE TO HIM ABOUT THE MOVIE AND YOU. TODAY I SAW SOMETHING ON TV THAT MADE IT SEEM LIKE ALL A VET HAD TO DO IS NEED SOMETHING AND BOOM ITS THERE. B.S. FROM THE TUBE AGAIN. HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND. TAKE CARE DONNA -
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Dec 5 2008 at 10:13pm by HI SEAN, I HAVENT HEARD FROM YOU IN A WHILE, HOPE ALL IS AS MY DAD USE TO SAY "AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED". I STILL HAVENT FOUND PHIL DONAHUE OR ELLEN SPIROS EMAIL TO GIVE THEM MY OPINION OF THE MOVIE. I ALSO WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO DONT REALLY HAVE A VOICE OF YOUR OWN. YOU MUST RELY ON YOUR CARETAKER. I TRULY HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD ONES. YOU DONT SEEM TO HAVE EXTRA THINGS IN LIFE, THAT I FEEL A WAR HERO DESERVES. IM ALSO WRITING TO THE GOVENATOR. ARNOLD. HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF. HOW CAN POLITICIANS CUT FUNDING FOR THE VULNERABLE AMONG US AND THEN BAIL OUT WALL STREET? SEAN IF YOUD LIKE I WOULD KEEP EMAILING YOU BUT I DONT KNOW ABOUT PUTTING MY EMAIL ONLINE. I CAN JUST PICTURE THE WEIRDOS. MAYBE IF YOU REPLY TO THIS AND SAY YOUD LIKE TO KEEP TALKING. ID PUT IT ON AND THEN TAKE IT OFF RIGHT AWAY. WHAT ABOUT YOUR EMAIL PERSON WHAT DOES HE/SHE THINK? ALSO I COULD CALL AND GIVE YOUR CAREGIVER MY EMAIL, IF YOU LEAVE A NUMBER. SEAN IF THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU, I UNDERSTAND. I ONLY WISH THE VERY BEST FOR YOU, DONNA BAKER -
RE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Dec 15 2008 at 11:28pm by Dearest Donna,
Forgive me for not writing before now. Like you I do not post messages online. My review here was my first post in years.
Unfortunately, often I find e-mail weighs down my ability to communicate with another person properly. I am better at face-to-face conversation than trying to write my thoughts into standard short internet parlance. Plus I dislike using smiley faces and excessive exclamation marks to express humor. Indeed, sometimes I wonder if we have lost our ability to understand humor without using visual aids.
I sincerely hope your turkey day was brilliant and that you had loving people to share the day with.
Here, my caregiver spent all-day cooking a veritable gourmet repast. Everything was delicious. Every dish and every ingredient used in the meal was cooked to perfection. As a result, I consider myself very lucky.
Thanksgiving Day is a very important day for me. When I was nine-years old I moved to this country with my family from Europe. I did write about what that day was like for the nine-year old I was, but decided to leave it out of this post. It was fun writing it though. Besides, I wrote about it in my novel.
We watched the Macy's Day Parade. Later on in the day, we watched Home for the Holidays. I remixed some Radiohead and Thom Yorke music, and broke out ye ole festive music. A strange mix of music I know.
As it is for everyone else I am looking forward to another year. Acceptance that I cannot change what is, and to live life the best way I know how, is crucial. Every day I am presented with hefty challenges, and though my will to live is so strong, I cannot allow any challenge to eat away at the inner strength I have always had. Come what may, I will always fight for my life no matter how difficult the days may be. So, here is to next year! (clink)
Actually, I do type. I learned to touch type and take shorthand notes at the beginning of my four years in the Army. Touch typing was easy because I am also a (well, I was) a pianist. But today because of paralysis it is difficult.
For instance, I will have a thought I want to convey but suddenly my hands stop moving, or I forget what I was trying to write. Then suddenly, I find myself staring at the computer screen wondering what the heck I was thinking. That is where the feeling of being a chain-smoking alcoholic comes in, ha ha ha!
Mostly I use the computer on screen keyboard with additional computer switch devices to type. When I feel a note or letter is complete I use a computer speech program to make sure what I have written is understandable.
If I am having a particularly bad day, my caregiver goes through what I write to make sure everything is correct. Also, my caregiver will type any source material from various news organizations, government agencies, the caregivers union, and so on, to support any subject I am addressing. So writing a simple note can take a long time. I have been working on this note for over a week now.
Even though my caregiver must feed me almost everyday, from time to time I am able to type without computer aids. Unfortunately, those days are rare now.
Because I believe every act is an act of self-definition, I want to take a moment to thank you for your notes to me. Your deep sense of compassion toward others is a gift to treasure. You did not say anything that seemed crazy to me. To be sure, I have had to deal with people who could not care less about anyone but themselves. That is not who you are, so I am okay. Your kindness to me, your desire to help other people, and your proactive role in your community says a lot about who you are as a person. In a different world I am sure it would be a great pleasure to meet you.
You did not have to reach out to me to share your thoughts, but I am very glad you did. When another person cares enough to write to me, believe me, it means a great deal.
Because there is no private messaging on this board, it is unfortunate we are unable to continue writing to each other off this particular page. In addition, I have never been one to leave reviews online for very long. I think of online reviews similar to reviews one might read in a newspaper; I read them, discard them, and move on, which is what I need to do now. I have left my review up for a few weeks now, and it is time for me to remove it and move on.
Believe me, I wish we could continue our online conversation because it is not easy to find friends when one is in my position. It is difficult to meet and make new friends this way. You will agree with me, I am sure, when I say it is just not safe to openly display ones e-mail address or phone number on a public page such as this.
You know, as much as I would love to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration with my caregiver and friends, I hope you are able to attend with those you care about. Even if you cannot, I will still keep you in mind that day as we watch it on television and drink a glass of Chateauneuf-du-Pape!
Lastly, what I would like to do is post this to you, and then over the next few days or so, begin to remove my reviews, or whittle them down to short remarks about the film only.
Please remember I will always appreciate your kindness, your understanding, and extension of friendship to me.
Be well to you and yours, from us here.
Warmest regards,
SeanRE: 'Body of War' is a must see Posted on Dec 18 2008 at 11:19pm by SEAN I PUT MY EMAIL ON HERE FOR ABOUT A WEEK I GUESS YOU DIDNT SEE IT. OR MAYBE YOU JUST CANT RESPOND ANYMORE. SEAN ALL THE BEST TO YOU. HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR. PS I STILL THINK YOU SHOULD WRITE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE. MY BEST TO YOU DONNA
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