Welcome!
Hi! I’m Craig V. Abbott II and I’m writing because I have a story to tell.
Most of us do, when you think about it, and they’re all unique. I like that concept — unique — because it’s the way most of my friends describe me. See this chair I’m in? That’s part of the unique thing. It’s part of my survival toolkit. At 24, doctors think I may be the oldest survivor of my disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, not living on a ventilator. Actually, we think I’m the oldest anywhere, with or without a vent, and that’s just part of what makes me unique.
I have faced a lot of adversity in my life, and not all of it was from this disease. People are always telling me that I can’t do things. I just laugh at them; and then I go ahead and do whatever they said was impossible. That’s my style and I like it that way. They wanted to keep me out of “regular school” and keep me away from everyone, but I wouldn’t agree to that. I wanted to do everything the same as everyone else. I went to school with my friends, went to my high school prom with my girlfriend, formed a rock band, and graduated right on time. I guess I fooled them; but I didn’t fool myself. I always knew I could do it.
Life with this disease (which screws up neuromuscular growth, causing almost all of its victims to die before they celebrate a second birthday) has taught me a few lessons. We all face challenges and people tell me I should write this down, my experiences, things I’ve learned, and share them. They tell me they want to know more, so that’s just what I’m doing.
In 2010 I started my autobiography. Later that year, I asked my friend Joe to help me with writing it. He helped put the book together by interviewing me and people I know to get the whole story of my amazing life. In 2012, another friend, Jim, started helping us with editing the story, which is now a complete book that is waiting for a publisher.
In the mean time, we have publish what we call a “pre-ography,” that is sort of a sampler with chapters from the book, pictures and information in it. It is available on amazon.com if you feel like checking it out.
Joe and I have appeared on television and done some speakings and book readings in the area, to try to get the word out about my book, and to spread the message that I deeply believe in: never give up!
You can read more about my book and the progress we are having getting it published. And to pass the time while doing this, I will also be blogging about my experiences and posting some of my poetry here.
Let’s get the word out about this project. Anybody you know with a serious disease or illness, ask them to come visit. Tell your friends, your family. We need to get the word out to anyone who needs to hear it that this is a place they can come and relax, tell stories, listen to Metallica, and have a friend. Especially if you know someone with SMA, my disease, please tell them about this.
So come on in, pull up a chair by the ocean, bring your guitar, and let’s make music.
Craig
Most of us do, when you think about it, and they’re all unique. I like that concept — unique — because it’s the way most of my friends describe me. See this chair I’m in? That’s part of the unique thing. It’s part of my survival toolkit. At 24, doctors think I may be the oldest survivor of my disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, not living on a ventilator. Actually, we think I’m the oldest anywhere, with or without a vent, and that’s just part of what makes me unique.
I have faced a lot of adversity in my life, and not all of it was from this disease. People are always telling me that I can’t do things. I just laugh at them; and then I go ahead and do whatever they said was impossible. That’s my style and I like it that way. They wanted to keep me out of “regular school” and keep me away from everyone, but I wouldn’t agree to that. I wanted to do everything the same as everyone else. I went to school with my friends, went to my high school prom with my girlfriend, formed a rock band, and graduated right on time. I guess I fooled them; but I didn’t fool myself. I always knew I could do it.
Life with this disease (which screws up neuromuscular growth, causing almost all of its victims to die before they celebrate a second birthday) has taught me a few lessons. We all face challenges and people tell me I should write this down, my experiences, things I’ve learned, and share them. They tell me they want to know more, so that’s just what I’m doing.
In 2010 I started my autobiography. Later that year, I asked my friend Joe to help me with writing it. He helped put the book together by interviewing me and people I know to get the whole story of my amazing life. In 2012, another friend, Jim, started helping us with editing the story, which is now a complete book that is waiting for a publisher.
In the mean time, we have publish what we call a “pre-ography,” that is sort of a sampler with chapters from the book, pictures and information in it. It is available on amazon.com if you feel like checking it out.
Joe and I have appeared on television and done some speakings and book readings in the area, to try to get the word out about my book, and to spread the message that I deeply believe in: never give up!
You can read more about my book and the progress we are having getting it published. And to pass the time while doing this, I will also be blogging about my experiences and posting some of my poetry here.
Let’s get the word out about this project. Anybody you know with a serious disease or illness, ask them to come visit. Tell your friends, your family. We need to get the word out to anyone who needs to hear it that this is a place they can come and relax, tell stories, listen to Metallica, and have a friend. Especially if you know someone with SMA, my disease, please tell them about this.
So come on in, pull up a chair by the ocean, bring your guitar, and let’s make music.
Craig