With A Little Help From My Friends...

[eyelids]

As you may know, I have been paralyzed going on nine years… The first few years went great… Then in the fourth year I started to have terrible muscle spasms… I had to stop driving and to top it off we moved to an apartment that isn’t very accessible for me… Thanks to my confinement I started keeping leos again after a five year hiatus… They made my sedentary life much more enjoyable… I always needed some help maintaining the ones I couldn’t reach from my chair, but for the most part I did it myself… Now after a few years of limited activity I’ve lost a lot of strength, the spasms have worsened and I’ve lost all confidence in myself… Aside from managing my mealworm colony I don’t do much to help with MY geckos… I have put a burden on my family even though they do not see it that way… I DO NOT want to get rid of the geckos, but I am ashamed of myself because they are MINE and I do little to care for them… Don’t get me wrong though, they are very well taken care of… It’s time I take control of my life…

There is an inpatient rehab facility in MN called The Courage Center whose goal is to help people like me become independent as possible… In my case I could be living on my own with very limited help… It wil not be easy, but I know I can do it... I have to or my future is bleak… Besides the geckos I have quite a few goals to meet… In no specific order, I need to get stronger, regain my confidence, lose lots of weight, quit smoking cigarettes, become more independent and overcome too many fears to list… An average stay there is three to six months, but can last as long as it takes… You must be recommended by a doctor so that’s my first step… My appointment is June eighth so it’ll be another month before I know anything…

My reason for posting this here is because I love Gecko Forums and the people I have met here are the closest thing I have to friends… I’ve spent so much time here it is like a home away from home so to speak… I will be looking for someone to take care of my geckos while I’m working on improving my life… I would prefer they all go to one place and would be obliged to have someone continue my projects… The latter is not necessary, but would be awesome… I only have fourteen adults and a handful of babies… One female is still laying and she’ll stay until she’s done…

I will reiterate at this point, they are not for sale… They do not have to be bred, but I’m leaving the option open… Further details wil be discussed privately with whoever takes them in for me… I will note that I will be very choosy on who takes them… Please don’t be offended if you are turned down… Trust me it’s not you it’s the geckos… By the way, I will cover their room and board… I will also send a Helix thermostat for their rack…

I would like to thank you all in advance!

Mike

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[727geckokid]

Mike I would Like to Begin By Saying I wish You the Best of Luck in Your Recovery and I do wish that you are able to Get in To The Courage Center. I had a Close Family Member Become Paralyzed after a Stroke and It was Very Hard on Him. His Hobby were Kayaking and Fishing and he LOVED watching Me and My Brother Play Baseball.. Needless to Say he had to give up Kayaking and Fishing but watching us Play Baseball Kept him "SANE" I dont want to go into too many details but he to Went to a Center to Help Him regain Confidence in himself and Learn to do more things on his own... For what it Counts he has made a wonderful Recovery and If he Wasnt Paralyzed on the left side of his body and Didnt have his "Limp" You wouldnt even think anything happened.. I wish the Best to You my Friend and That All goes Well..

PS: Will you Have Internet At The Courage Center??? We sure as Heck would miss ya

 

[spykerherps]

Much good fortune to you Mike. I half way believe in luck but some times its not luck. its the force so may the force be with you. You CAN accomplish what ever you put your mind to. think good thoughts and IT (what ever IT is) will come. law of attraction.

 

[ariana]

btw, internet?? we'd miss you here on GF

 

[Kitsune]

Mike,
We wish you the best of luck with everything! You're a strong willed person and we know you can do anything you put your mind to. =)
You know that we would love to help you in ANY way we can. Please don't hesitate to ask us.
Good luck! <3

 

[cassadaga]

Damn man, I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope for you the best of luck, and I'm sure you'll do excellent, and have your geckos back in no time. Maybe when you feel up to getting your geckos back, a specialized rack could be built?

 

[ariana]

great idea cassadaga
it could be long and wide instead of tall

 

[Tanga]

Hi Mike, I'm really proud of you for the fact that you're taking a big step in your life by choosing to better yourself as far as medical conditions go. I myself have been chronically ill for years now and seeing that I'm in and out of the hospital so much, my gecko collection has never grown too large for the fact that I cannot care for them properly when I'm recovering and pent up in the hospital. My geckos are a very important part of my life because they keep my mind occupied so my world seems a little less depressing due to my illness. I can totally relate to you Mike. I hope your recovery goes well and you find a great person to give your babies to.

 

[Foreverandever]

Hey, nothing wrong with knowing what you can or cant handle. It sucks that you have to give them up; but like you said...getting yourself together is important

Good luck with finding them a temp home. I'm sure you'll have plenty of offers

 

[yellermelon]

Mike! Speedy recovery my friend! Sure hope they got introweb access!

 

[thestack510]

I hope the best for you, Mike. Good luck getting into the center. I'm sure many people will be willing to temperarily keep your Leos. I think the idea of a modified rack is awesome Cass. Benn the builder to the rescue? GF is a great community. We will see you through this.

 

[fallen_angel]

Mike, I don't know you ALL too well, but I have always admired you. You've been through so much, and your attitude with life is one of the best I've ever known. I wish you the best in your recovery, I am sure that you will face this challenge and come out like a champion in the end, you definitely have it in you.. and when there is a will, there is always a way my friend!!!!! [[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]]

 

[ajveachster]

Good Luck!!! Hope you find somebody close who is willing to both take in your geckos and continue your projects.

 

[Kristi23]

Good luck with your recovery. I hope you'll be able to stay in touch with everyone here.

 

[mainelygeckos]

Good luck Mike! Keep in touch if you can and I know you will pick the right person for your leos My thoughts go out to you

 

[loepardgeckoboy]

I wish You the Best of Luck in Your Recovery

 

[paulnj]

Mike,

Best of luck getting accepted and may the future bring you the greatness you deserve!

 

[Chewbecca]

Mike,
I do hope that you get accepted and start to feel better by getting everything on the right track.
I know that giving someone your leos temporarily is very difficult for you.
I wish you the best of luck.
Jethro sends gecko sniff licks.

 

[Haligren]

You're my hero. <3 I wish I could help somehow, but the best I can do is send you hope and love and good stuff. My geckos and I are rooting for you.

 

[eyelids]

Thank you very very much EVERYBODY! I am truly touched by your kindness and haven't been able to come up with the words to show my appreciation... I have come to this thread many times over the past couple days and tears well up in my eyes every time...

I'd also like to thank everyone who has offered to take in my geckos... I haven't made a decision yet, but will post here when I do...