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My friend, Chuck Conner |
Bunkers are fortifications built below ground to protect
people in case of an attack or a tornado.
The military used them to house weapons and supplies during both World Wars
and sometimes even as command centers.
The bunker was to be stocked with necessities for survival, like dry
food, water, radios, etc., in case you had to remain in one for any length of
time. Mine would need coffee, scotch,
and an abundance of cigars, although I doubt the girls would allow me to light
one up. I’m not permitted to in our
house full of windows, so I don’t see it happening in an underground concrete
box. I thought I could get away with it
in the garage when I put my office out there, but no, they didn’t want the
storage tubs to get sticky.
A friend of mine, however, has taken the term stocked bunker
to a whole new level. To Chuck, whom I
have known since middle school, it’s not just what is around him that will aid in his survival, but more
his abilities. When Chuck was two, he
was diagnosed with Kugelburg-Welander Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I know, the name goes on forever. It was finally shortened to SMA Type 3
Muscular Dystrophy. He has always had a
sense of humor and a zest for life, making the most of what Life has handed
him. While I haven’t seen Chuck since we
both graduated high school, I have been able to follow his exploits through
social media and it’s refreshing to know he has maintained his sense of humor. He has a unique perspective on human
interaction and the ridiculous statements people make when faced with something
or someone out of their comfort zone.
I’d love to be able to convince him to write a book about some of the
encounters he has with stupid people and their questions because I’m sure it
would be a humorous and enlightening read.
However, for now we’ll just talk about his Stocked Bunker.
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How could they forget me? |
One of the things in his survival bunker is the ability to
hold his breath for as long as possible.
He actually practices this, trying to beat his best record each time. “There’s no ritual about it, no specific time
of day,” Chuck shared with me.
“Sometimes there’s no forethought, no prep. It’ll just pop in my head. ‘Did I hold my breath today? Don’t think so. All right…..go!’ I practice taking as little breath as
possible before I give it the daily go.
Sometimes, I take barely anything that would count as a breath to
hold. Sometimes, I take no breath at
all. I just stop breathing and go from
that point. My longest time is 3 minutes
and 42 seconds.” I don’t know about you,
but I was impressed at his time. I tried
holding mine just to see how long I’d survive.
I’d be gone in 32 seconds. Pretty
sad.
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The Man Formerly Known as Chuck |
Now, you and I may look at this and wonder why anyone would
consider this as a survival skill.
However, when Chuck explained it, it made perfect sense to me. “It definitely started as one of the
responses to a future reality I was/am going to face. Maybe it’s my way to defy (or deny) the
future I know is coming, to put something in place that will exert some small
semblance of control over events that no amount of external prepping will
necessarily address up in my noggin.
It’s a weird mix of reality-based prep, at least to me, and a Fuck You
to a specific event that May take place along one of the possible timelines
where I actually live to see the full effects of my disease. ‘Full blown atrophy?’… ‘Yes?’… ‘Your tables
ready.’… ‘Oh joy!’” *Gulp*
What is the scenario Chuck plays in his mind? First, you have to remember my friend is in a
wheelchair. His fear is that if he were
to fall into a body of water, he would drown before help arrived. “I’m entertaining some future moment where my
superior skill of breath holding is fortuitously applicable, where my noodle
frame just flops over and my unknown tomorrow caregiver is otherwise
distracted. That is the most realistic
scenario I conjure in my imagination. No
prep. Things often happen unexpectedly. ‘You didn’t tell me I was drowning
today! I wasn’t ready!’…’Too bad. You lose.’”
By being able to hold his breath for long periods, he buys himself time
to be rescued. What for you and I may be
just a fun exercise, could save Chuck’s life one day.
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This game is never going to end |
After reading about Chuck’s Stocked Bunker, I examined my
own survival skills and came to the realization that in a catastrophe, I’d be
one of the first to die. If I was
trapped at the top of a burning building, I’d make it down to the first floor,
but then I’d collapse from exhaustion and die right there with everyone else
having to step over me to escape. And
heaven forbid I had to climb up several flights of stairs. I’d make it two flights and then double over,
clutching my side and gasping for breath.
I’d wind up with my fat ass on the floor, using the flames around me to
light up my final cigar as there was no way my legs would carry me any further.
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Just play around me |
It gets worse. I live
in one of the hottest states in the U.S. and during the summer months I melt
like a jellyfish on the ocean shore.
I’ve always blamed my Hypoglycemia, but the truth of the matter is I’m
just plain out of shape. While playing a
game of Shooters on the beach a couple of Saturdays ago, I was praying for the
end of the second game to come about quickly before I passed out while tossing
the tiny balls. I could feel myself
going, my body turning to mush, my vision blurring even more than normal, but I
was determined to stick it out. I was
just hoping not to embarrass myself in front of people I had just met. I usually wait a year before doing that.
Chuck has the right idea.
He knows his limitations and he plans ahead for the hazards that may
arise. He looks at what may save his
life one day and practices it like schools rehearse fire drills. I, on the other hand, just avoid any building
that has two or more floors and remain in the air conditioning. Chuck’s mindset is one of acceptance whereas
mine has always been one of avoidance.
His idea is much better than mine and I’m sure he will out survive me
whenever tragedy hits. I really need to
exercise, and I will; right after this bowl of Chunky Monkey ice cream.
* * * * *
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Other posts you might enjoy ~ I Draw the Line
Thanks for visiting The Mess! Keep chasing your dreams!
Robbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog post! I've seen enough on the NEWS to know your pal will be in good company, as MANY are doing the same if that time comes when the world is crumbling around us. Chuck is not out of the ordinary as I've seen some Extreme stories about people with bunkers and have a survival plan.
Sadly, I would be right by YOU as not be prepared, or be those who haven't a clue what to do! I admire Chuck!! Catherine :-)
I move a little more every day just to say I did lol...Thanks for visiting and commenting, Cathy!
DeleteRobbie,
ReplyDeleteLOVED this - I still talk to Chuck via social media as well. When I was in the American Legion he was one of our poster kids for the local MDA Telethon. I'll always remember his wit and humor - many could learn a thing or two from him.
Thanks, Roxanne. I saw him post this story almost a year ago, I think. His encounters with clueless people are hilarious as well. More people need to see life as he does.
Delete