Life is an adventure: Meet @ctflyr

May 7 8:00am | John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Comments (11)

ctflyer with his wife in the mountains. Member spotlight

JOHN: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@ctflyr: Initially, I joined Mayo Clinic Connect to find insights due to my wife's health concerns. She is a patient at Mayo Clinic. Subsequently, due to my own health concerns, I ventured further into Connect.

JOHN: What motivates you to take part in the community?

@ctflyr: My motivation is learning and understanding more about other people's efforts and experiences with regard to what my wife and I are dealing with.

JOHN: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?

@ctflyr: Connect is a welcoming, concerned, and interested community that's supportive and well intended.Personal stories and insights provide support and information.

JOHN: What support groups do you participate in?

@ctflyr: I take part in the Sarcoma support group as well as the Aortic Aneurysm support group.

JOHN: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.

@ctflyr: I connected with a Connect member on a more direct and personal level regarding his health challenges and what his treatment efforts had been, successful and not. Sharing more directly made our contact more personal and rewarding. I've also enjoyed sharing my own experiences with others, hoping my thoughts might be helpful or offer some reassurance.

JOHN: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?

@ctflyr: The biggest surprise was the fact that participants come from many different places, are different ages, and have a strong desire to share their knowledge, experience, and feelings whatever their health challenge is.

JOHN: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?

@ctflyr: I'm motivated by a desire to learn something new everyday and to possibly share my knowledge with others.

JOHN: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@ctflyr: My most favorite activity is sharing each day with my wife. We've been married 46 years and each day is precious to me.

JOHN: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?

@ctflyr: I have a few personal mantras that I live by:

Knowledge is power. Keep moving forward. Life is an adventure. No one is exempt from personal tragedy.

JOHN: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

@ctflyr: Loyalty and openness.

JOHN: What do you love about where you live or vacation?

@ctflyr: The sky in our yard and the surroundings we live in.

JOHN: Puppies or kittens?

@ctflyr: Both are irresistible!!

Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 7 8:54am

@ctflyr
It is so nice to meet you through this Spotlight! I agree with you that the members of Connect come from different backgrounds and yet we all share the same desire to learn from each other about our health issues and to also encourage others on the journey!

Thanks, @johnbishop, for this great interview!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 7 9:59am

Hi @ctflyr, Thanks again for doing the spotlight interview. It is great getting to know you a little better. Your life's motto really resonates with me. So glad to have you as a Connect member.

Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | May 7 3:36pm

@ctflyr; I enjoy reading about people who have been married (nearly) as long as my husband and I have! I imagine as a former pilot you’ve also done some traveling. May I ask where the photo from your spotlight was taken?

ctflyr | @ctflyr | May 7 11:25pm

In reply to @grammato3 "@ctflyr; I enjoy reading about people who have been married (nearly) as long as my husband..." + (show)

@grammato3 Hi... We did a road trip to Death Valley and Lone Pine California.

Pug, Volunteer Mentor | @ckscoville | May 8 6:09am

Wonderful interview, and I love the picture of the two of you!

Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | May 8 7:16am

What a lovely interview to read! What did you fly and are you still flying?

margaretallen | @margaretallen | May 9 8:14am

Very inspiring. I am recovering from a mild to moderate brain injury and tend to get depressed and now I am weaning myself off a drug which is hard but stories like yours really make me feel better thank you

honduranexpat | @honduranexpat | May 9 9:42am

In reply to @grammato3 "@ctflyr; I enjoy reading about people who have been married (nearly) as long as my husband..." + (show)

@grammato3

honduranexpat | @honduranexpat | May 9 9:45am

Your comment about personal tragedy really resonates with so many people who are suffering from so many different illnesses, sometimes that there is no cure for, many surgeries and the effect on your loved ones. You give us hope. One day at a time.