So last night halfstep battled! I was a little worried since I'm dancing on a broken prosthesis, but that didnt stop me. I redeemed myself from my performance at Circles. I made it past the prelims, which kind of surprised me. So I was in the top 16. And I think it was rigged, but my first battle was against goofball. For those of you who don't know, I lost to goof at my first battle ever. We tied, and I lost the tie breaker. Its kind of funny though, last night was like deja vu. I battled goof and the judges declared it a tie. But the tie breaker was crowd response, and I couldn't compete with goofy on that. Mad props though. It was a good battle, and I think I rep'd myself well.
After the battles I got to see grandmaster flash. He dj'd the party for 2 to 3 hours with the illest old school beats. It was a lot of fun. Too crowded to cypher though, which kind of sucked. But gmf was awesome. He opened a circle at the end and let us dance. But there were so many bboys and it only lasted a few songs so I couldn't run out into it. This place was mad crowded. I'm really glad I went though. I almost didnt go because of my broken foot.
I just found out something kind of crappy. Exit...no wait he changed to raven(lame). Anyway, my boy from RAW alliance (my crew) is also dancing for another crew. Which kind of sucks, I think RAW will be doing nothing now. So I guess I'm more or less a free agent again. I want to get into a serious crew man. I wouldnt mind getting down with exit's new crew, started by Tazk. Also I would like to join CAB, with my boy Iron man. Both are serious crews, Savage is brand new, but I think they have drive. arg this SUCKS!!!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Fake Legs Are Expensive
I really know how to put the "break" in breakdance. So I've had this prosthesis for a little over a year now. And the liners have started to wear down and get holes on them. It’s kind of understandable, because I am pretty tough on this thing. So I went to get a prescription from a general doctor to get them replaced. Ya I know its kind of funny that I have to see a doctor to get a prescription about something I know more about than him, but that’s the way insurance works. I had my prosthetisist (say that 10 times fast) look at my leg when I was seeing him because it has been making some funny noises. Apparently I've cracked it.
Just to give you all a little education about prosthetic legs, there are 3 basic parts, the sleeve, the socket or shell, and the foot. The sleeve touches your skin and provides the most padding. Mine is specially fitted and made out of some silicone like material. The shell is made of carbon fiber. It is also custom fit to me. This is supposed to be one of the tough parts of the leg. The final part of prosthesis is the foot. This is the most expensive part, and possibly the most important for mobility.
Now I’ll give you a little history about my past breakages. My foot component is called the renegade. This foot is supposed to be one of the more advanced/durable models for high activity people. They have a warrantee that is good for two years. Within having my leg for 6 months, I've broken 2. So each time they told the company to make them stronger, and finally I think they've listened because this one still seems to be going strong. Just to give you an idea, this part of the leg costs near $7000-8000.
As I said earlier I also have worn out the sleeve. These cost about $800 and you order them in sets of 2. So I have worn out my first set completely. Not only have they developed holes, but after so much use, oils from sweat and normal use break down the silicone layer. Then they don’t fit as well, and slip off more. The lifetimes of these are 1-2 years. So I'm not so bad here. I'm skating on the minimum.
Also, I have cracked my socket. These have a lifetime closer to that of the foot. Maybe 3-5 years. I have broken this in one year. These cost around $5000. For now I have just had this patched, although they told me the that could last anywhere from 6 months to a year. Given my skills in destroying these things, I give it 3 months tops.
Now as you can see all these repairs are expensive. Who could imagine it costs so much money to be able to walk just like everyone else. So be thankful all you two legged people. Granted I do have health insurance through work, but this only covers 85%, leaving me to foot the rest of the bill. If I was rich, it wouldn't seem so bad. While I'm not dirt poor or anything, this does hold me back quite a bit. I want to be able to afford decent things, to be able to get a car, ect. I just feel already its a hurdle to have to deal with having only one leg, let alone finance something that costs as much as a car just to be able to walk and do every day things.
Granted some would argue if you have one leg you shouldn’t be breakdancing, or doing crazy sports. But I would argue why not? It’s my dream to shatter this image of disabled people and show the world what is possible with hard work and determination. Technology has come so far over the past few decades, but it comes at a price.
While I was sitting in the waiting room at the prosthetic clinic, they showed inspiring video's of people who've recovered. One stood out in my mind. There was a guy in the army who was a paratrooper/skydiver. He had an accident while skydiving and lost both legs. After recovering he got his job back in the army, and he was showing all of his legs. He had ones for biking, ones for swimming, for scuba diving, for running, for sky diving. All I could think of is how in the heck he could afford all those legs. FYI, a leg costs at least 12,000, and specialized ones are even more.
I know at this point in my life I couldn't afford those if I wanted to. So I started thinking of ways I could get better performance legs on my budget. I realize alone its not really possible. But then after much prayer and thought I have an idea. I've read about a lot of silly websites lately where people are trying to make money; one where a guy is advertising advertisement space on his webpage by the pixel, another where someone is trying to trade a red paperclip for a house. Why couldn't I do something similar? It’s for a good cause, and I think it will help more than just me; a website to share inspiration for those who need it most. That is part of my dream, to help other disabled people. But right now it’s me who needs help. I've got a few ideas. I think first I have to start a company, which I hear isn't so hard. Maybe halfstep productions, I'm open to suggestions. I think seeking corporate sponsorship is a good idea. Along with the revamp of my webpage, I can add a donation link to a paypal account. I can offer advertising space on my prosthesis's. There are plenty of ideas. I just need to plan them out. I think there are a lot of good hearted people out there who are willing to help, they just don't know how. I'm not really good at asking for help, but if I plan on helping others, I'm going to need help to do it.
So bboyhalfstep.com's face is going to have to change. I could also search for the best people in the prosthetics industry. Also try to get sponsorships from prosthetic companies. I think that if I can get all this, and get the best leg possible, it will highly increase my chances of achieving battle of the year. So if you're out there and listening, please help out. If not financially please keep your prayers with me. And keep a watch out for halfstep.
Peace
and thanks
Just to give you all a little education about prosthetic legs, there are 3 basic parts, the sleeve, the socket or shell, and the foot. The sleeve touches your skin and provides the most padding. Mine is specially fitted and made out of some silicone like material. The shell is made of carbon fiber. It is also custom fit to me. This is supposed to be one of the tough parts of the leg. The final part of prosthesis is the foot. This is the most expensive part, and possibly the most important for mobility.
Now I’ll give you a little history about my past breakages. My foot component is called the renegade. This foot is supposed to be one of the more advanced/durable models for high activity people. They have a warrantee that is good for two years. Within having my leg for 6 months, I've broken 2. So each time they told the company to make them stronger, and finally I think they've listened because this one still seems to be going strong. Just to give you an idea, this part of the leg costs near $7000-8000.
As I said earlier I also have worn out the sleeve. These cost about $800 and you order them in sets of 2. So I have worn out my first set completely. Not only have they developed holes, but after so much use, oils from sweat and normal use break down the silicone layer. Then they don’t fit as well, and slip off more. The lifetimes of these are 1-2 years. So I'm not so bad here. I'm skating on the minimum.
Also, I have cracked my socket. These have a lifetime closer to that of the foot. Maybe 3-5 years. I have broken this in one year. These cost around $5000. For now I have just had this patched, although they told me the that could last anywhere from 6 months to a year. Given my skills in destroying these things, I give it 3 months tops.
Now as you can see all these repairs are expensive. Who could imagine it costs so much money to be able to walk just like everyone else. So be thankful all you two legged people. Granted I do have health insurance through work, but this only covers 85%, leaving me to foot the rest of the bill. If I was rich, it wouldn't seem so bad. While I'm not dirt poor or anything, this does hold me back quite a bit. I want to be able to afford decent things, to be able to get a car, ect. I just feel already its a hurdle to have to deal with having only one leg, let alone finance something that costs as much as a car just to be able to walk and do every day things.
Granted some would argue if you have one leg you shouldn’t be breakdancing, or doing crazy sports. But I would argue why not? It’s my dream to shatter this image of disabled people and show the world what is possible with hard work and determination. Technology has come so far over the past few decades, but it comes at a price.
While I was sitting in the waiting room at the prosthetic clinic, they showed inspiring video's of people who've recovered. One stood out in my mind. There was a guy in the army who was a paratrooper/skydiver. He had an accident while skydiving and lost both legs. After recovering he got his job back in the army, and he was showing all of his legs. He had ones for biking, ones for swimming, for scuba diving, for running, for sky diving. All I could think of is how in the heck he could afford all those legs. FYI, a leg costs at least 12,000, and specialized ones are even more.
I know at this point in my life I couldn't afford those if I wanted to. So I started thinking of ways I could get better performance legs on my budget. I realize alone its not really possible. But then after much prayer and thought I have an idea. I've read about a lot of silly websites lately where people are trying to make money; one where a guy is advertising advertisement space on his webpage by the pixel, another where someone is trying to trade a red paperclip for a house. Why couldn't I do something similar? It’s for a good cause, and I think it will help more than just me; a website to share inspiration for those who need it most. That is part of my dream, to help other disabled people. But right now it’s me who needs help. I've got a few ideas. I think first I have to start a company, which I hear isn't so hard. Maybe halfstep productions, I'm open to suggestions. I think seeking corporate sponsorship is a good idea. Along with the revamp of my webpage, I can add a donation link to a paypal account. I can offer advertising space on my prosthesis's. There are plenty of ideas. I just need to plan them out. I think there are a lot of good hearted people out there who are willing to help, they just don't know how. I'm not really good at asking for help, but if I plan on helping others, I'm going to need help to do it.
So bboyhalfstep.com's face is going to have to change. I could also search for the best people in the prosthetics industry. Also try to get sponsorships from prosthetic companies. I think that if I can get all this, and get the best leg possible, it will highly increase my chances of achieving battle of the year. So if you're out there and listening, please help out. If not financially please keep your prayers with me. And keep a watch out for halfstep.
Peace
and thanks
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Depression
Ok so no posts in a while right? I haven't been feeling all that up. Lots of things going on. It doesn't seem like I've been in DC almost 2 years already, but I'm getting to that mark. It doesn't feel like home here yet. I haven't really made any "best friends" like I had back home. I don't know what it is. If I'm too shy, if I don't fit in here, or what the deal is. It just seems like everyone is so busy with their own lives, they already have their own friends, and there isn't room for me. Its something I struggle with off and on. Thank God I have dance as an outlet or I would have went nuts by now. But with my major back pain for the past few weeks, and for some reason my muscles don't want to work at all this week. That's not helping any. I think the depression is effecting my body. I need to cheer things up. Something is missing in my life.
I contemplated moving to another city. But would that be solving anything? Would I be in this same situation two years from now in a different city? I've never run away from anything in my life (other than those friggen muggers who tried to jump me), and I'm not going to start now. Making friends has always been hard for me. And with the busy life with dancing and work, I guess this is the time in my life when I've had the least free time. So maybe its understandable that I haven't met so many people. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
When I was at the battle last week, I got the awesome privilege to go pick up one of the judges the night before. I got to meet Little John from Havikoro crew. I was really impressed by him. And I'm usually not impressed by people I've never met based on the fact they are famous (well at least in the bboy world). But Exit and I got to talk to him on a really long ride from Dulles to Reagan to Dulles to JMU, while getting lost along the way (long story). But he had some really interesting views on the world, and in particular dance.
I've never been a really spiritual person. When I was younger, I rejected God for what happened to me. Later I realized that he saved me and had bigger plans for me. But other than that I'm not spiritual. Little John is really spiritual. Not in the shove it down your throat, "I'm right, you're wrong", but more in a way "This is how I feel through my life's experience." Think about it. What religion doesn't involve dance of some sort? Could it be dance is a sort of prayer? I never thought of it that way. But it makes sense. Some connection. When I do dance, I'm not completely me. I'm in a different place, I feel stronger, I have more focus, more confidence. I never really go to church, and I don't really pray, but could dancing bring me closer to God? I've been thinking maybe that is missing from my life. Maybe that's one of the reasons I feel so lonely so often. Empty in a way.
I've always been so stubborn in my life. I never want to accept help from anyone, and I want to do it all by myself. Like in college when I had leg problems and had to be on crutches. I would go through the cafeteria line and carry the tray on my crutches, I had plenty of friends who wanted to help, but I got so angry, I wouldn't let them. Maybe I need to accept the fact that I'm only human. I want to accomplish so much in my life, doing it all alone isn't the best option. I need help from others, support, but most of all I think I need God. I think maybe that's the hardest thing for me is to leave it in someone else's hands. All I can do is try my hardest every day. If girls don't like me, I can't change it. If people don't want to be my friend, I can't change it. If my body won't let me go to the battle of the year, I can't change it. But all these things are important to me. I try at all of them with all my heart. But I need God's help to attain them.
Its really hard for me to say can't. I believe anything is possible. My heart is there, my soul is there, I put forth the effort, and by God's grace I will achieve my goals. But I need to include him in my life. I need to ask for his help, his guidance. That's one thing in my life I need to change. Maybe I will join a church. I never really felt comfortable in church. Maybe its because I was always forced to go, I don't know. But I think I should give it another shot. What's the worst that could happen? I might even make some more friends. Who knows?
The next thing I need to change is where I live. Living alone in DC is exactly that. Alone. Its time I moved outside the city and got a car. Then I won't be slave to the ridiculous metro schedules. It will probably make my commute to work longer, but its a small sacrifice I suppose. I'm not sure where to live though. I don't think driving into the city every day would be convenient, so I was thinking somewhere near a metro possibly in Maryland. If anyone knows DC really well, I'm open to suggestions. FYI I work in L'enfant Plaza in SW DC, and 2-3 times a week I have Culture Shock practice in Strathmore.
How should I change dance? Rule 1, don't get discouraged. These are only tests of faith. I was really disappointed in my performance at the JMU battle. I choked. I wasn't feeling the music, I wasn't feeling the battle. Next time I will be more ready. I think my next battle is in end of June, so that gives my crew and me 2 months to practice. We will do better! Rule 2, include God in dance.
Please keep me in your prayers, this is a really hard time in my life. But we have these hard times to make us a stronger person and so that we can learn from life.
Thanks
Especially to Kate and Exit for being there when I needed someone to talk to.
I contemplated moving to another city. But would that be solving anything? Would I be in this same situation two years from now in a different city? I've never run away from anything in my life (other than those friggen muggers who tried to jump me), and I'm not going to start now. Making friends has always been hard for me. And with the busy life with dancing and work, I guess this is the time in my life when I've had the least free time. So maybe its understandable that I haven't met so many people. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
When I was at the battle last week, I got the awesome privilege to go pick up one of the judges the night before. I got to meet Little John from Havikoro crew. I was really impressed by him. And I'm usually not impressed by people I've never met based on the fact they are famous (well at least in the bboy world). But Exit and I got to talk to him on a really long ride from Dulles to Reagan to Dulles to JMU, while getting lost along the way (long story). But he had some really interesting views on the world, and in particular dance.
I've never been a really spiritual person. When I was younger, I rejected God for what happened to me. Later I realized that he saved me and had bigger plans for me. But other than that I'm not spiritual. Little John is really spiritual. Not in the shove it down your throat, "I'm right, you're wrong", but more in a way "This is how I feel through my life's experience." Think about it. What religion doesn't involve dance of some sort? Could it be dance is a sort of prayer? I never thought of it that way. But it makes sense. Some connection. When I do dance, I'm not completely me. I'm in a different place, I feel stronger, I have more focus, more confidence. I never really go to church, and I don't really pray, but could dancing bring me closer to God? I've been thinking maybe that is missing from my life. Maybe that's one of the reasons I feel so lonely so often. Empty in a way.
I've always been so stubborn in my life. I never want to accept help from anyone, and I want to do it all by myself. Like in college when I had leg problems and had to be on crutches. I would go through the cafeteria line and carry the tray on my crutches, I had plenty of friends who wanted to help, but I got so angry, I wouldn't let them. Maybe I need to accept the fact that I'm only human. I want to accomplish so much in my life, doing it all alone isn't the best option. I need help from others, support, but most of all I think I need God. I think maybe that's the hardest thing for me is to leave it in someone else's hands. All I can do is try my hardest every day. If girls don't like me, I can't change it. If people don't want to be my friend, I can't change it. If my body won't let me go to the battle of the year, I can't change it. But all these things are important to me. I try at all of them with all my heart. But I need God's help to attain them.
Its really hard for me to say can't. I believe anything is possible. My heart is there, my soul is there, I put forth the effort, and by God's grace I will achieve my goals. But I need to include him in my life. I need to ask for his help, his guidance. That's one thing in my life I need to change. Maybe I will join a church. I never really felt comfortable in church. Maybe its because I was always forced to go, I don't know. But I think I should give it another shot. What's the worst that could happen? I might even make some more friends. Who knows?
The next thing I need to change is where I live. Living alone in DC is exactly that. Alone. Its time I moved outside the city and got a car. Then I won't be slave to the ridiculous metro schedules. It will probably make my commute to work longer, but its a small sacrifice I suppose. I'm not sure where to live though. I don't think driving into the city every day would be convenient, so I was thinking somewhere near a metro possibly in Maryland. If anyone knows DC really well, I'm open to suggestions. FYI I work in L'enfant Plaza in SW DC, and 2-3 times a week I have Culture Shock practice in Strathmore.
How should I change dance? Rule 1, don't get discouraged. These are only tests of faith. I was really disappointed in my performance at the JMU battle. I choked. I wasn't feeling the music, I wasn't feeling the battle. Next time I will be more ready. I think my next battle is in end of June, so that gives my crew and me 2 months to practice. We will do better! Rule 2, include God in dance.
Please keep me in your prayers, this is a really hard time in my life. But we have these hard times to make us a stronger person and so that we can learn from life.
Thanks
Especially to Kate and Exit for being there when I needed someone to talk to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
