Life member who can't cave anymore due to MS

[cvendura]

I can't cave due to a physical handicap but my desire to see the underground and to read about has never waned. Can I live the cave exploring life vicariously through one of you?

[Teresa]

Heck, cvendura, just come back to this group, and consider us your virtual grotto. Then you don't have to live through 'one' of us, but the whole group.

You might do well to sign up for a local discussion list as well-- I know there are such things in TAG, the Ozarks, Texas, and likely other regions of the country. Those discussion lists will keep you in touch with hundreds of cavers in your area, too, and there is much more discussion of local caves and caving there. I'm sure if you tell folks what region you are in, someone can hook you up with a local discussion list.

We had a local caver who endured a whole series of medical complications, but was a regular on a regional discussion list, and though only a few knew of his inability to cave he kept us going with his commentary, and insights. As the entire caving population is growing older, there is no slight in being armchair-- there is plenty one can do in terms of cave conservation, administrative committee work and so forth in the NSS. One of the NSS offices was, until quite recently, held and adminstered superbly by a caver with a quite active mind and organizational ability, though with severely limited mobility.

Being a caver is a state of mind, and of heart-- tell us where you've caved, what you've seen and some of your exploits, and I'm pretty sure very few will care that circumstances beyond your control now keep you aboveground.

[graveleye]

Well said Teresa! I cant even think of anything to add to that!

Welcome aboard cvendura! You are very welcome here, so feel free to be part of the gang!

Hope to hear from you soon,

Kev

[monicak]

Hi Cvendura!
I am glad to see your post. I just started reading this forum recently. The photos are really awesome! You may know this but it took me while to see the buttons on the bottom of each post. Many of them will have a www button linking to their personal website or photo set.

I linked to one website that had an article on a thru trip in Fern Cave in the 80's. It had photos and holy cow a video. It took me back to a trip I made then. very cool. If I find it again I'll PM you!
Monica

[papercaver]

Hi, cvendura, I've never been able to cave due to my spinal condition and impaired breathing...but I love learning about
the wonders of the earth. NSS has made it possible for me to be as much a part of caving as I can be. This year I've
entered two paintings in the Fine Arts Section...hope I can find someone who can photo them for me at the show.
Some great friends there.
Hope you are able to connect with some friends who can keep you in touch. This year I miss the internet connection
they've had that last few years and am trying to see if someone at the Convention can clue me in on what's happening.
paper caver

[Wayne Harrison]

Welcome, cvendura.

As for caving through the keyboard, Cavechat is a great place to visit.

I'd also suggest checking out OnlineCavers.com, an NSS social networking site that has well over 12,000 caving photos to browse and more than 230 caving videos to watch.

Speaking of caving videos, there are hours of them running non-stop on http://www.mycavetv.com , another great place for armchair cavers to check out.

Wayne

[wyandottecaver]

cvendura,

send me your email and I can send you some trip reports.

[irhxcbcziuzxs]

MS... ouch, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which some of you might know gets misdiagnosed as MS and other such diseases very frequently, and many times, people with MS and these other diseases dont actually have them. Lyme is a mimicking disease, and the CDC is completely crap on lyme, i tested negative via CDC but positive through a more reliable Lyme exclusive lab.

Fortunately for me however, I only have to deal with tremors at the moment, very sorry to hear of your condition. best wishes.

[caveflower]

I am a MS caver. I still cave but know there will be a time when I will too have to be a armchair caver. Until then I am going to as many caves as time will allow.
My MS has posed some problems but so far I have found ways to work around them. I would be happy to send you pictures, videos and trip reports from the point of view of a MS Caver.
I keep kind of a caving journal of where when and how of my trips that includes my challenges as A MS caver. In the hopes that some day it might help others with our same problems.
Would love to share them.
Caveflower