"Well, there it is..."

[ignatz]

Hey fellow CH denizens. It's been a dogs age since I've been active here at the CH and in the hobby in general. I haven't walked away from it totally—I’ve got too much styrene and resin in my blood! But life throws whatever it will throw at you and your only real job in life is to figure out how to bounce back, hopefully with some measure of grace, but even if it’s with the legs flailing and arms pinwheeling, at least you get a laugh out of it. Anyways, I’ve been plugging along these last few years— and accidental freelancer, doodling for cash and helping my wife with the care of her mom. It’s not exactly my dream for a life, but I can’t complain. People have it worse all the time, a lot worse, so I’m grateful for what I have. I’m grateful for my life and my family and I’m grateful for this community. It’s a wonderful, creative hobby and I’m lucky I could share the ride with such a great group of passionate, talented folks.

So, here’s what’s going on—

A few months back I was diagnosed with ALS. It’s a progressive disease of my neurons. They’re dying a little every day. There’s no cure, not much in the way of treatment, and I don’t know how long I have left. Could be a few years, could even be decades. No one knows. What I DO know is that I’ve been having a harder and harder time with my strength and coordination. At some point, I probably won’t be able to interact too well. I hope this doesn’t happen for a very long time, but before that happens, I plan on selling off my stash of unbuilt kits. I don’t want my wife to have to deal with the pile. I figure at least I enjoyed having them, it’s time to let someone take a shot at building and painting them up. Nothing is worse than an unbuilt kit! I’m going to start organizing my stash, making sure everything is there, figuring out prices, etc. Most of the figure kits I’ll post here at the CH. I’ve got a lot of sci fi hardware kits too, but I figure there’ll be more interest out on Ebay or over at Starship Modeler. Kits that I have started I really want to try and finish. Nothing is worse than an unfinished kit!

Well, that’s the news. I’ll still be on the CH boards. No place makes me happier—except maybe Italy. Italy makes me pretty happy, but that ain’t happenin’!

Thanks for taking the time to read this rather long post.

Steven

[Tim Fortuna]

Well, I'm grateful that Steven has been a part of the CH, modeling and my life in general. Take care chum.

[derekc62]

Sorry to hear of the diagnosis.
If I may be so bold... : in the not-so-distant future set the kits aside temporarily, get some assistance for your mother-in-law and go to Italy.
An old friend and I were talking about such things last week and he boiled it down for me by saying he measures things in summers... how many more summer's will he enjoy?
Enjoy life and enjoy summer.

[PROFESSOR JARROD]

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news Steven, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers, I pray you have many happy years left!

Rick

[Scooke123]

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Hang in there and enjoy life. It sounds like you have a pretty positive attitude so far.

[spock]

Steven,
Every single person here owes you a debt of gratitude for your unwavering support from the beginning. Unfortunately, we don't tell people how much they are appreciated until bad news comes along. You have always been a gentleman and a friend to the thousands of brush jockeys that visit this board. Now, you can add inspiring to the list. And, by the Grace of God, WE ALL hope to enjoy your friendship for many years to come.
Harry

[tay666]

I am so sorry you are going through this. But I admire your attitude about it.
Hopefully you still have many long years of good living ahead of you.

[Todd P.]

Wow. I had indeed wondered what was going on with you, now I know there's been a whole lot. I admire the way you're approaching it. I doubt there's any way I can help, but if there ever is then don't hesitate to let me know.

You're one of the good ones, Steven.

[Heavy Metal Spike]

.

Nice to see that the character of those replying harmonises with that of the thread creator . . .

• • • • • . . . member names that did not surprise me.

Steven - this news sucks dude, but thank-you SO much for having the courage to share.

I knew something was up based on our thread and PM exchanges, but no way was I going to pry.

I'm also not going to publically repeat my thoughts from ONE of those recent PM's. You & I know - and that's what matters.

Your strength, intelligence and personality have always been a vital part of this forum and community. You are one of the KEY members that has held the Clubhouse together and could ALWAYS be relied on to do the right thing.

You ain't going nowhere bud - you're too important to all of us.

If there is ANYTHING you think I can practically or realistically help with - you only need to ask Bro' - you know I mean it.


Oh - and I would agree with Derek . . .

[list][quote="derekc62"] . . . If I may be so bold... : in the not-so-distant future set the kits aside temporarily, get some assistance for your mother-in-law and go to Italy. An old friend and I were talking about such things last week and he boiled it down for me by saying he measures things in summers... how many more summer's will he enjoy? Enjoy life and enjoy summer.[/quote][/list]


.

[scuzzfink85]

Truly so sorry Ignatz for this coming upon you..
You been here for along while .. I hope for along time..
I don't know that well all I know as mod you are fair and balanced.
Have courage.

[ignatz]

Thanks guys, for the words of encouragement. Honestly, most of the time, I don't feel sick. But I know there's some kind of trouble brewing under the skin for a while. Somethings are just awfully hard to do, while other things are just fine. But there's no real treatment, no cure, so they're just having me go to acupuncture, meditation classes, and marijuana oil--mostly so I don't get super depressed and kill myself, but I haven't really felt bad about it. If my time is truly limited (and who doesn't THAT apply to?), if all I get is another day, then I want to live it the best I can--doing the things that I love and being with people I care about. If that's all I manage to squeeze out of life, then I'll count that a job well done.

Thanks a lot again for the encouragement and the kind thoughts. You guys are the BEST!

[temperflash]

Hope things brighten for you.
I haven't been able to build anything for years but I have repaired a few older pieces.
I have a kit here I got ages ago and may try to put it together soon. Its a simple one so I shouldn't have much of a problem with it.

[Pun13]

Steven,
Every single person here owes you a debt of gratitude for your unwavering support from the beginning. Unfortunately, we don't tell people how much they are appreciated until bad news comes along. You have always been a gentleman and a friend to the thousands of brush jockeys that visit this board. Now, you can add inspiring to the list. And, by the Grace of God, WE ALL hope to enjoy your friendship for many years to come.
Harry

Harry said it best bro.

If there is anything you need just shout bro..

Tom

[Mark M]

Steven …

You have been a huge part of the life's blood of this place for so long and a supportive friend while I was going thru all of my life's trials and tribulations for what seems like an eternity, that said I can never truly explain how much your support here over the last several years has meant to me personally. You are one of my personal hero's and a pillar of this community...

As I told you in emails and PM's over the last few weeks, I'll reiterate again... Anything you need, or any thing I can do just let me know my friend.

Mark

[XOFACTO2]

Always here to talk if you need to.

[Crazy Joe]

Well, HELL, Steven -

I really HATE to hear that diagnosis for you. Have to add to all of the gratitude for what you've done for the website. Seems like you have a pretty good attitude about the whole sucky thing, I hope that you can keep it up as pain-free as possible...

[ignatz]

Thanks guys. Your words mean a lot to me--more than I can properly express.

Yeah. Some days are tougher than others, but I find it hard to complain about anything. I'm working on staying positive and finding the good in my situation. I just don't want to waste any energy on feeling bad. Too much of my life is wasted on feeling angry and upset about stuff that ultimately don't mean a whole lot one way or the other. I don't know what the future looks like, but when you get down to it, neither does anyone else.

[Graybeard]

I don't normally look at the monkey bars.
I'm sorry to hear your sick
Sending positive thoughts to you and of course prayers.
Paul

[ignatz]

Thanks, Paul. I appreciate it!

All the best to you!

S.

[ManthingVT]

I just saw this post a few minutes ago... and I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this Steven. Just know that people appreciate you and have you in their thoughts. Stay positive too. And don't forget to update us all in 2028, 2038, etc.