It is my great honor to offer you a post directly from the Rolling Rishi himself, Michael Schwass, pictured below walking on the treadmill made famous by the late movie star, Christopher Reeve. For those of you unfamiliar with his incredible story and the profound impact he has had on my life (I am only one of many), you can read archived posts here. This post will give you the background you may want to put this account of his most recent major surgery in context. Michael will be as regular contributor here, as much as possible, starting in July. If you have questions or issues you would like to see him address, please leave them in the comments below or e-mail me directly. This is a unique opportunity for you to talk to someone who has lived through and overcome amazing challenges.
He hits the ground rolling so be prepared...there is a lot to absorb here.
In June of 2003, nerves were severed and pulled from my legs, split and peeled and transplanted into a degenerating cervical spine. A make shift dura-mater was fashioned from my outer thigh muscle. This was the sixth operation performed point blank on my spinal cord. The surgery saved my life, brought back function to a non-functioning colon and life to a useless bladder. Three years and one month later, a 31 year chronic quadriplegic after thirteen operations stood up under his own powerful legs in front of featured representatives from 18 different countries after a speech at an International Symposium on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Florida.
For all of this I GIVE THANKS. It is true that many rational minded people would have never attempted this undertaking, not choosing to undergo the surgery much less attempting to stand again after so many years and so much physical trauma . But then again, I am NOT A RATIONAL THINKER, I am a misfit and a risk taker. Always have been and always will be. Dr. Paul Piersall once conducted a research study of terminally ill patients in a hospital ward. When quizzed, every single one said if there were one thing in life that they regretted, it was: “I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MORE RISKS”!
Now, at age the ripe old age of 48, (quadriplegics age twice as quickly as able-bodied individuals) I’m considered by many to be an old wise man in the forest resting on some 31 years of using a wheelchair for locomotion. At age 17, I could never have imagined 31 seconds! But I have been able to maintain my strength and focus through my fierce dedication to personal and spiritual development. The commitment I made to myself to learn how to live well despite tremendous odds allowed me to establish a foundation of high-minded thinking and high-minded living that continues to serve me well as I cope with the effects of aging and continual challenges I must face as a quadriplegic. I address a number of these issues in “Don’t Blame the Game” written for those of you seeking to establish a similar foundation to aid you in dealing with challenges in your own lives.
At Dragon Slayer's Guide, Laura writes and encourages you to send in submissions related to courage. It takes tremendous courage to face our fears. While I stated earlier that I have learned to thrive as a "misfit" the path isn't an easy one. Psychology tells us that fear of not fitting in is one of the four major existential fears known to man. To one degree or another we all suffer from it—otherwise we wouldn't care what we wear, who our friends are, what kind of homes we keep or what cars we drive. With Easter at hand with many family get togethers, family dynamics begin to transpire—old issues from the past, new issues in relationships, depression and sadness for some who have sick, aging or have recently deceased relatives.
It's hard to hold center and thrive in the face of all live throws at us if we don't make the effort to build our foundation. For myself, I didn't have a choice. It was, literally, a life and death matter for me. For you, it may be easier to slide on practices which keep you healthy and focused, at least in the short term. But in truth, a life of self-neglect, physically, psychologically and spiritually, will ultimately catch up to you, as you know. A time of crisis is the most difficult time to try to build a foundation. Take the opportunity now to shore up your practices so they can hold you when the going gets tough.
It has been a lifetime mission for me to guide and serve others by physical example and now in a private life coaching practice how to sieze a moment of being discounted into an opportunity to heal. The U.S. and the world at large are facing very difficult times and there is no clear end in sight to our societal craziness—even in a time where we celebrate the redemption offered us by Christ's suffering. Don’t be fooled. The chasing, cheating and stealing to go no where leads only to a dead end. We need to make the most out of our own personal relationships, because alone we won’t be able to cure the world.
In my coaching practice, I employ the study of psychology, human dynamics, centering techniques, meditation and wisdom from respected spiritual traditions to help you establish a solid foundation for meeting life's challenges. I welcome you to contact me if I can be of service to you. I work with both able-bodied as well as disabled individuals. Phone sessions can be arranged. For further information, visit the Don't Blame the Game website.
Thanks, Michael. Powerful post. It's so easy, as you say, to slide. Calling it self-neglect changes the picture dramatically. Thanks.
Posted by: Kate | April 08, 2007 at 02:07 PM
Michael, you are such an inspiration to anyone who believes there is no limit to what we can do. I am deeply touched by your determination and courage. I see you are a life warrior and I say a-ho to you. Your sharing will awaken in many the remembering of a dream of who they are to become and encourage them to come alive and go for life fully.
I write about living life filled with consciousness, peace, purpose and passion. I too am a peaceful warrior with and open heart, a focused mind and a spirit that soars. Check me out at www.explorelifeblog.com
May you travel inspired by the journey of every human beings courage to be. Joseph
Posted by: Joseph Bernard | April 08, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Thank you for sharing your story of courage and committment to live a full life despite the challenges that you must face daily.
Posted by: Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker | August 08, 2007 at 01:32 AM