Tell us an unusual thing that people don't know about you

Scott R L @scottrl That's interesting...and surprising. If you don't mind my asking, any particular reason why you've never held a baby, toddler, or young child in my arm? Curious...and just wondering because I would have thought (and presumed) that all, if not most, adults would have had that experience.

Interesting thread. We did this, as a game, at one of our shows. I used to book bands and run other kinds of events.

So, at one of them we put out a "Book of Secrets." And, in order to read the book, you had to enter one secret.

So, this was a rock show. So, my secret was (which is true) "I like some Barry Manilow tunes."

Which is true, I like some Barry Manilow tunes. Very mellow, very pleasing.

Anyway, the gal who created the book, did it as an art project and she constructed the book like it was an ancient book from the world of the Lord of the Rings or something.

It was a lot of fun. And if folks ever have a party, I would encourage anyone to put out their own "Book of Secrets" and have fun with it!!!

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As far as never holding a baby or young child goes?

Well, you know, I find that sad, but I don't find it all that unusual.

I first became ill in the early 80s. In the real world, a lot of us who become ill experience friends and family just flying away from you, until you are very very isolated.

So, in the world of the disabled community, I would think it is pretty common that folks don't interact with family and family with young children.

I don't know if folks are generally aware...but there are some programs around the country, where volunteers get to hold babies!!!

They are called NICU Cuddlers.

Here's text from one of the programs:
https://www.nyp.org/brooklyn/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-programs/cuddler-program
Leave a big impact on a little patient.
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital Cuddlers have a special place in their hearts for newborns needing some extra TLC. As a volunteer Cuddler, you can hold, swaddle and comfort infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), supplementing the visits of parents and staff. Under the guidance of medical staff members, you will learn how to calm fussy babies, thereby reducing their stress and helping to clear their path to recovery. Research has shown that the care that Cuddlers give to babies helps lead to shorter hospital stays, quicker weight gain and improvement in development. NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist is one of the few hospitals in the country to offer the program.

Oh, all that text (sorry for the length) and I never mentioned something that folks don't know about me.

Well, it's the internet, the only way folks can know much of anything about me is by spying on my computer, so I hope folks don't know much about me at all....

that being said...

ok...I am named after my cousin. In the Jewish tradition, it is tradition to name a child after a deceased relative.

I was named after two. One for my first name. One for my middle name.

My middle name, I was named after a combat vet from WWII.

He was Belgian and fought with the Legion (The French Foreign Legion).

He fought with them in North Africa, fighting the Nazis. And he was killed in combat.

At the time, in the early part of the war, the Legion often fought behind enemy lines and experienced very high casualty numbers. I don't know the details of his service, but I do know the general context of their role in North Africa in the early part of the war.

It is quite an honor, of course, to be named after a combat vet from The Legion.

Thank all who have served, for their service.

I used to be an international arms merchant.

Best always,
s!

Hi all,

Unusual thing(s) I am doing (now or well ago)…

+++ Hmmm… What I’m doing… of what?… Hmmm… +++
The plus is better, that you came up @samcal9977zz (what?)

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Dear @scottrl you didn’t hold a baby. I’ve done the holding, but couldn’t take care of my baby daughter, 30+ years ago, putting & cleaning her rear-ends. My wife did it. As my son, 30+ years ago, it was easy as a male baby. I did that, way back.

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Dear @my44 you said, “most. adults... had that experience”.

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Dear no-name @samcal9977zz you did a neat thing when you and young family’s “rock show,,. secret… Barry Manilow”… and “folks can know” use inlines, like Facebook and others..

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Dear @scottij you did an :”international arms merchant”. Doesn’t that means USA military, in my mind, was that you as a SEALS? Of course my THI brain injury loses and add the wrong things. I’m “dreaming” of what I wrote.

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@greg1956 - it’s me and what can I do, maybe my past? Well, I live this, in 1998-1999, I went to a new music band. I couldn’t sing, but a good guitarist. We had another guitar player that was could singing; another musician could sing well & play his - is sort a hand-held blue music; a lady, oh wow, was a musician of her family (including the singer/guitar guy & our drummer/singer); the next guy was a great singer & playing his drummer; we had a good bass play, but didn’t sing.

We put up the songs from late 50’s thru the early 70’s. We played at parties, at bars, restaurants and events like afternoon things. I’m writing on FB for ,my past drummer.

I played my guitar/amp/effects so sound to a song; then another song, I played a different effect sound - blues, pop, R&R. I still love it!

For now - today, I have a few guitars, amps and effects, BUT my TBI - from 2012 - I lost a lot of my mental problems like I lost 80% of memory, understanding and a few others. My playing is 50% off - like trying to play a name song, but that memory is gone. Not just trying to learn a new way, but it’s still a mental problem; but using chords, sounds, and add leads, but I don’t know what the sound of a song…

I am one of the few (I think) you may know who climbed the stairs in the National Monument, in Washington,D.C.

I have had many interesting experiences during my 75 years. Some are worldly like being married to an Emmy Award winning composer, or experiencing a murder in the family.
However, one thing is more important. I was healed. A miraculous healing of my deformed thumb. The woman standing next to me in church simply held my hand and said a quiet quick prayer. A few minutes later I saw that my thumb was restored to the correct position!
That was about 8 years ago, and it has stayed in place perfectly ever since. I thank God for His love and provision.

I raced Lawnmowers for around 6 years until work got in the way. I was President of NASGRASS, North American Society of Grass Racers And Sod Slingers, a 501(c)3 non profit that held events to support Healthy SWF amd Highlands Shrine Club. I also worked with the USLMRA, a nationwide group, to create their Affiliated Club Program. Met lots of amazing people during this time

@sidney073 Very interesting! And I'm glad you were able to help many people through the organizations you were in and supported.

Impressive!