Wishing u well:)
Hello again my great friends. I was in the hospital due to a hit in my head that hit my VP Shunt directly. I have a shunt in my head to drain fluid off my brain. Well this caused head trauma and headaches and they brought in a neurologist. Two CT scans and one MRI showed that all was ok in my head and that I actually do have a brain in there somewhere. :) I am ok now and all has passed from that. I am still a little shaky at times and balance is a tad bit off, but I think that is my mild cerebral palsy acting up. The people here are very nice to me and helpful. Thank you so much for all this support. I also want to add that at this point this forum has provided all the financial support....that is so amazing to me. Not even family, my local church, or radio station has provided financial support. The people here are truly gracious and helpful. I am very grateful.
that makes me proud to be part of this community.
even more so if we get Paul a bit more help reaching his modest goal 
Pass on the modest goal!
Let's set a better one.
I spend around $14 a day on cigarettes.
A day's smoking (30 a day) versus something to help out on something that terrifies me. Losing my sight is not something I even want to think about.
Hands in pockets folks.
Tomorrow's smokes into Paul's fund. At least for me. Any other smokers - how about doing the same?
So good to have you back! Glad you're recovering, and above all keeping such a positive attitude! That's really admirable. I guess I should stop complaining about the mild case of the flu I am currently getting over.
Well, I'm not smoking tomorrow. Don't ask me for anything tomorrow as a punch in the face often offends....
Yes, I'm in. Haven't smoked since Monday when I had a stent shoved into a major cardio artery. Honestly don't know if I'll manage to stay clean this time, but a days cigarette money to a worthy cause is a no-brainer. Good luck Paul.
I'm afraid this won't induce any smoking abstinence here (nothing did yet), but nevermind...
Best wishes Paul!
Scary! I hope you have smoked more for longer than I have. I'm 51 and started days before my 14th birthday.
Please, please tell me you are older and started earlier!
As I am trying with the e-cigs, and spending a little less, I have sent a pair of lucky strikes to you :)
Nothing yet did for me.
But please think about sending a donation to Paul.
One of the things that scares me most is losing my sight - I'd rather lose my life.
Actually, "this" refers to my donation .
I have a three year old daughter who is very sweet. I told her (in happy dad to a 3 year old voice) that some friends from BLF have been helping daddy provide money for a special event.....she smiled at me and started jumping and said "thank you BLF, that is great daddy....how nice".
Now about my eyesite....this may sound strange but I consider myself fortunate and lucky to have the eyesite that I do. You see, I have never known what 20/20 vision was....I was brn this way. I have never driven a car, yet am a huge race fan and car nut. I am use to what I can and can not do pretty much. I feel lucky because I have never known these things.....I hurt for those who had 20/20 eyes and now are blind. They could play ball, drive a car, and look into their child's eyes and tell what color they are.......then they lose their site and can no longer do those things. I have never known what doing those things is like, therefor in a way I can not miss them. I feel bad for those who once did and now can not.
Good for you!
For me, you have just earned several million bonus points.
I've always appreciated my good vision, and I've thought the same thing as you about people who don't see as well.
For you smokers, chantix works RIDICULOUSLY well. Not only does it reduce the cravings, but if you DO cheat (ie smoke) after the first couple days taking the medicine it will make you SICK. By sick I mean, make you feel like someone that's never smoked before after they smoke 3 non-filters in a row.
it is also ridiculously expensive if not covered by insurance, but I think there are generics out now?
Here is the updated page as proof the donations and gifts are going to my visionwalk goal....which has been surpassed. Thank you all so very much....this is fantastic.
Well, I started a few years later, but I'm quite a bit older.
One the other hand, I have always smoked pipe, which is still better than cigarettes. Also, the pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher... (W.M. Thackeray)
Well, I'm 50 this summer and I too started smoking when I was 14, though it took a few years for a regular habit to develop. But I've long been a 40+ a day puffer, with a history of artery disease. This wasn't my first stent; I've had two in my femoral arteries for nearly a decade.
Fortunately for me I only smoke when I drink.
Unfortunately I drink a lot. 
Hello everyone. I am sorry for the long time delay and being away from the forum. There has been a lot going on. I just had blood work done and in a nutshell I found out that my cholesterol (bad) is near 200 and my (good) is low and my triglycerides are also out of whack. I have an appointment scheduled to get a complete look over. I am 36 and want to work on these issues now before they become a big problem. I was born with the vision problem and a mild case of cerebral palsy.....I do not need to add heart troubles to that too. LOL :) I am sorry that I have not been on in a while. I do not want anyone to think that I just came on and "took the money and ran" so to speak. What everyone did here was simply fantastic and this is still the only financial help that I have received. Not one TV station, radio station, friend, or family member has given their hard earned money to help in this. I am very grateful for all this wonderful help. :) I am very excited about this walk coming up. I wish I could meet some of you and walk with you and shake your hand.