When we think we've got it tough.

[FROSTY]

I've been feeling pretty low lately.Financial and health problems have really put a big dent in my plans. Feelling pretty sorry for myself to be honest :oi-grr:
Then On TV last night I saw a program about a guy my age. He's had cerebral palsy his entire life.Clearly he is an inteligent human being but one unable to carry out the most basic of motor functions.
He and His 65 year old father (yes 65) compete in marathons all over the united states. His dad literally pushes or pulls him every step or stroke of the way.
What greater reminder,What greater inspiration could we ask for??
Puts all our niggly little problems in prospective doesn't it??

[Riff Raff]

Puts all our niggly little problems in prospective doesn't it??
It sure does - there's always someone worse off than us with a much more positive attitude. Happiness is much more attainable than we let ourselves think.

[Beemer]

I'm with you on this one, I've been moaning lately about being sick (flu and a few infections) and how I'm owed over a thousand dollars for work I've done and the bills are all due this week - but then I look around and think how lucky I am. We have a house of our own, a nice house too, with two garages full of cars and bikes. Because I shop in bulk every month or so, we have plenty of food in the cupboards and freezer and we're not beind with the power or phone so they're not going to be cut off. I can still walk, talk, ride, see, hear, etc., and I'm not terminally ill, just a bit off colour. There are millions of people who don't have even a tenth of what we have, and after seeing some of them on tv, getting on with their lives without moaning and whinging, I count myself lucky.

My mother could have taken thalidomide - then I'd really have something to complain about.

[T.I.E]

that is so true. but sometimes when ya feeling down, its nice to have someone giving you push.
sometimes when ya feel like the weight of the world is on ya shoulders, it's nice to be able to pass it on to lighten the load. even talking if it means talking.
but people like that do put things into perspective.

if ya want it get it. don't expect it now. but it will come.
and there are no problems out there mearly challenges to overcome.

[Antallica]

For me, happiness is a choice. But it's hard to make that choice somedays. You only have to think about the people who don't live in a society like ours, people who don't have dairy's down the road they can pick up the bread from etc. I disgust myself somedays when I'm bitching about wanting the latest this and that (insert technology here). Some poor family somewhere else is wondering how their gonna get their next meal.

I feel lucky to be in NZ with such opportunity.

[Badcat]

For me, happiness is a choice. But it's hard to make that choice somedays. You only have to think about the people who don't live in a society like ours, people who don't have dairy's down the road they can pick up the bread from etc. I disgust myself somedays when I'm bitching about wanting the latest this and that (insert technology here). Some poor family somewhere else is wondering how their gonna get their next meal.

I feel lucky to be in NZ with such opportunity.

dude - you've hit the nail on the head.
it's a choice.

k

[MSTRS]

It is interesting to note that often 2 people with different disabilities will look at each other & both think they are lucky to not be as 'badly off as the other one'.
Besides, sometimes I think that the worst disability is the 6inches between our ears

[Biff]

You're onto a winner there Frosty, recognising that on the grand stage that is life - there are always others that make you feel good about yourself.

I find watching Jerry Springer on the weekend sets me up for the week.

[ManDownUnder]

We did a sign language course (AGES AGO) and the guy tutoring it was deaf and had cerebral paulsy (sp?).

Anyway, he had a sense of humour that would not quit and was representing NZ in the Special Olympics in weight lifting

Good GOD what a legend.

Frosty, wish I could help you more mate. You're a bit of a legend in these pages, and in real life. Give it time and ask for (or be willing to) recieve help as needed. Good things happen to good people and I suspect you've got a bit coming to you in time.

MDU
edit - I meant to say... the sign lanugauge guy finished the course and asked - "anything else you want to learn"? After he finished laughing he helped me learn "poof", "fuck", "shut up" and "fart"

Very useful!

[Riff Raff]

edit - I meant to say... the sign lanugauge guy finished the course and asked - "anything else you want to learn"? After he finished laughing he helped me learn "poof", "fuck", "shut up" and "fart"

Very useful!
Ooh can you teach us? Would come in useful sometimes when out on the bike!

[ManDownUnder]

Ooh can you teach us? Would come in useful sometimes when out on the bike!

Alas no - they're not too useful... as with many good things in life they require two hands to get it just right

Really useful in the pub though.You can order drinks, food etc without leaving your seat - ambient noiise doesn't matter at all!

[TonyB]

Good post Frosty. You hear some amazing stories of people battling sickness or disability with a postive attitude and it really does give you a wake up call.

[vifferman]

My mother could have taken thalidomide - then I'd really have something to complain about.
Or not.
I have a friend whose mother took thalidomide, and he is one of the most bubbly, friendly, outgoing people you could meet. At uni (where I met him) he was very popular with everyone. Despite having both arms deformed (one is very short, the other is malformed, thin, and with fewer fingers than normal), he lives a pretey much normal life (well... super-normal). He plays the piano, drives, is better at squash and table tennis than average, and if anything his 'disability' has made him an over-achiever, rather than handicapped in any way.

[zadok]

Great comments guys. Overall we enjoy a better standard of healthcare and living standards than much of the world's population.

[onearmedbandit]

Sorry to bring my injury up, but even with 24hr a day excruiating pain and a paralysed arm I've not once felt sorry for myself. This is my set of circumstances and I must deal with it. I don't have to remind myself ever that there are people in far worse situations than myself, heck I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones.

[Waylander]

Happiness is much more attainable than we let ourselves think.
For some yea. But for me happiness is only a twistie road and a full tank of gas away.

[Big Dave]

I suffer from Australis syndrome.
People laugh at me when I say 'Six', 'Pants' or 'France'.
Reading your words of encouragement give me the strength to carry on.
Cheers.

If you want to remain really positive in your outlook - Turn the television off.

[SARGE]

Sorry to bring my injury up, but even with 24hr a day excruiating pain and a paralysed arm I've not once felt sorry for myself. This is my set of circumstances and I must deal with it. I don't have to remind myself ever that there are people in far worse situations than myself, heck I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones.


for those of you who know me ( and have seen me without my shades..) you know that i am also dealing with a bit of a "Disability.."
i dont let that stop me from riding ( DEPTH PERCEPTION??? WAZZAT?) like a madman..

you are onluy as "disabled" as you let yourself be.. i sold a bike to a guy with one leg.. OAB rides his bike all the rtime.. and i always see retards in cages on the NW

[Marknz]

If you want to remain really positive in your outlook - Turn the television off.

Damn right. The only time the box needs to be on is when there is motoGP or WSB racing on, or the occassional rugby fixture.

[bane]

For some yea. But for me happiness is only a twistie road and a full tank of gas away.

someone has to always bring it back to bloody bikes - good on ya mate :ride:

As the song goes, in NZ "we dont know how lucky we are"

[madboy]

I work in disability claims, and some of the people I deal with really do have quite disabling conditions. But when it comes to attitudes, I like the terminal cancer sufferers the best. They don't give a shit if you miss a payment, bungle a calculation or don't jump when they ask. They don't give a toss that it might take weeks or months for a specialist to come back to you with the information you need to pay them. Because to them, money has lost it's value. It's not going to keep them alive any longer, so they don't worry about it.

In the trade we have to "reserve" each claim. That is, we take the information that we have at hand and decide how long we think the claim will go for, then do some math to determine how much that will cost the company. It's purely an accounting thing, and has no impact on the claim management at all (although obviously the bigger reservings get more active case management than the little ones). But it's pure bloody guesswork. Why? Cos you have to guess the claimant's mentality. In many cases the condition is irrelevant. Having a disability isn't what stops you from getting on with life, it's your reaction to it.

Frosty, OAB and those who have posted here have it in one - it's a choice.

Today I chose to have a good day... :Punk:

[WINJA]

Sorry to bring my injury up, but even with 24hr a day excruiating pain and a paralysed arm I've not once felt sorry for myself. This is my set of circumstances and I must deal with it. I don't have to remind myself ever that there are people in far worse situations than myself, heck I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones.
AND IF ANY OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED WHEATHER GOOD OR BAD YOU
MIGHT NOT HAVE MET WHO YOU MET , HAD WHO YOU HAD OR DONE WHAT YOU DONE , SOME STRANGE AND NOT VERY GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES LED ME TO THE PARTNER I HAVE NOW , IF I WEIGH UP ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND DOUBLED IT ID STILL CHOOSE THAT PATH

[scumdog]

AND IF ANY OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED WHEATHER GOOD OR BAD YOU
MIGHT NOT HAVE MET WHO YOU MET , HAD WHO YOU HAD OR DONE WHAT YOU DONE , SOME STRANGE AND NOT VERY GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES LED ME TO THE PARTNER I HAVE NOW , IF I WEIGH UP ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND DOUBLED IT ID STILL CHOOSE THAT PATH


I think I know what you mean WINJA and I agree, sort of kharma eh?

[WINJA]

I've been feeling pretty low lately.Financial and health problems have really put a big dent in my plans. Feelling pretty sorry for myself to be honest :oi-grr:
Then On TV last night I saw a program about a guy my age. He's had cerebral palsy his entire life.Clearly he is an inteligent human being but one unable to carry out the most basic of motor functions.
He and His 65 year old father (yes 65) compete in marathons all over the united states. His dad literally pushes or pulls him every step or stroke of the way.
What greater reminder,What greater inspiration could we ask for??
Puts all our niggly little problems in prospective doesn't it??
NEXT TIME I SEE YOU IM GOING TO KICK YOU IN THE NUTS JUST TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOUR OTHER PROBLEMS :kick: :eyepoke: :bleh: :Pokey: :tugger: :baby: :bash: :nya:

[MadDuck]

NEXT TIME I SEE YOU IM GOING TO KICK YOU IN THE NUTS JUST TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOUR OTHER PROBLEMS :kick: :eyepoke: :bleh: :Pokey: :tugger: :baby: :bash: :nya:

Hell yeah that will work...take away his "man parts" ooouuccchhh

Boys!

[WINJA]

I think I know what you mean WINJA and I agree, sort of kharma eh?
I DONT KNOW ABOUT KARMA , BUT I KNOW THE BALANCE OF MY MISFORTUNE WAS SO FINE THAT ONE GOOD THING AT THE TIME COULD HAVE FUCKED EVERYTHING

[WINJA]

Hell yeah that will work...take away his "man parts" ooouuccchhh

Boys!
HEY STINKY , YES YOU , PAINT MY ROOF OR THE DOG GETS IT

[Hitcher]

I've been feeling pretty low lately.Financial and health problems have really put a big dent in my plans. Feelling pretty sorry for myself to be honest :oi-grr:
Then On TV last night I saw a program about a guy my age. He's had cerebral palsy his entire life.Clearly he is an inteligent human being but one unable to carry out the most basic of motor functions.
He and His 65 year old father (yes 65) compete in marathons all over the united states. His dad literally pushes or pulls him every step or stroke of the way.
What greater reminder,What greater inspiration could we ask for??
Puts all our niggly little problems in prospective doesn't it??
I'll drag you around behind my bike for a while, if you think it will help...

[FROSTY]

no no no not that--humiliate me like that --I mean a blokes got standards--i mean its a ITS a HONDA

[Skyryder]

Paradise is not a place, it's a state of mind.

Think it's time for new sig.


Skyryder

[onearmedbandit]

AND IF ANY OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED WHEATHER GOOD OR BAD YOU
MIGHT NOT HAVE MET WHO YOU MET , HAD WHO YOU HAD OR DONE WHAT YOU DONE , SOME STRANGE AND NOT VERY GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES LED ME TO THE PARTNER I HAVE NOW , IF I WEIGH UP ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND DOUBLED IT ID STILL CHOOSE THAT PATH

Oh don't get me wrong WINJA, I didn't really want to get into to it too much but I'm thankful that I had the accident. It didn't end my life, just changed the direction of the path it was on. If it had never happened I wouldn't have met my now-wife (my occupation changed as a result of the accident and I met her through that change), wouldn't have the job I have, etc. My partner doesn't like it when I say it, but I am truely happy the accident occurred. Had it not, I would be a different person than I am today, and I'm very happy with who I am and where I am. Like I said, I consider myself very lucky.

[inlinefour]

In my line of work, I get to work with people who have brought shit onto themselves. Not very often but it does happen. Ive got a mate who is paralysed from the neck down. He is a total inspiration. Just keeps on the best he can. Its funny how those often with the most reason to have the dirts, are the one with the most positive attitudes.

[Hitcher]

Paradise is not a place, it's a state of mind.
Dang. And here's me thinking paradise was what hung from the rear-vision mirrors in West Auckland Valiants. Good heavens! Even Meat Loaf sang about them: "I can see pair of dice by the dashboard lights"...