Moving

Earlier today I ran into my building superintendent Brano. He told me he's going to miss me and anytime I want to move back to NYC he'll have an apartment for me. What a guy. Brano runs the building like a submarine captain. Spotless, uninvited guests like mice and cockroaches need not apply. Over the years Brano has found me in the streets confused and taken me home. He also knocks on my door when he doesn't see me for a while just to make sure I'm okay.  Brano asked to come up to my apartment to see my A/C's and other stuff. I showed him what I wish to sell and he made a list of the items and what I wanted to charge. Then he shocked me by saying he'll buy it all for my price. A gift for me and now I won't have to worry about selling it. I can never die because life's breathe of selfless acts never ceases to amaze me. Brano asked me when I was officially moving. Last day of July. I'll be moving with a U Haul Pod. Of course I'm sure I'll screw things up a bit, but in the end I'll be moved. I'm going to miss my friends, the support systems I have around me and the amazing neighborhood I grew up in. I've had countless selfless people helping me and showing me love since I've been diagnosed. I'm hoping the FTD advocacy has made me worthy of that help.

Nine days in Arizona and I was not going to come home empty-handed. It felt right being there. Affordability which would reverse my NYC retroeconomic situation,  closer to my children, excellent Assisted Living for the future, clean, larger and quieter Starbucks every mile on the mile. Then there's the wonderful people from ALFA. I'm really hoping I  can make a bigger contribution in FTD awareness with a bit of there direction.

Was hoping to visit Tucson and Sedona, but the mission was clear. Find an area suitable for my FTD ass to live in. My normal anything that can go wrong, will go wrong FTD world was at it's heightened alert status. Time to pull the plug and make a decision as I was approaching the final day. Shit I can't even decide what to eat, never mind where to live. I was totally confused, each place I visited had advantages and disadvantages. Was trying to find a place I could live without a car, but that proved impossible. Finally on the last day I decided on a place that was low rent and close to Old Town Scottsdale. Only disadvantage is I need to go to an on site laundromat to do my wash. Big deal.  Starbucks is less than a mile a way. In fact, did my last blog there. Still need a car to get to supermarkets etc. Plus you can't walk to far in 110 -119 degree heat. Found that out last week.  I'm really looking forward to being in a position where I'll be able to be more productive in my work and life. NY and I have been losing it for a while now.

The complex I'll be moving to, Scottsdale Springs has a swimming pool, gym, free bike and movie rentals, outdoor bbq etc. The apartment even has a patio."Can't beat that with a schtick" - Walter Schtozer - 32B. Now I just need to make sure I don't get into an FTD rut and don't leave the apartment. Anything is better than me wandering the same street here every night. I'm actually planning on getting myself into strict routines so that doesn't happen. Routine, routine, routine. Probably the most important thing in an FTD'ers life. Without routine, my mind will soon have me imprisoned in my bedroom, rarely leaving it. On the flight home I took out all the paperwork for my new home. Of course when I got home I realized all the paperwork was still on the plane LOL.Oops, FTD.  Oh well, I refuse to get upset about minutia in life. I've to much to celebrate. 

Scottsdale, AZ

Had a wonderful luncheon with the my friends from ALFA. There going to help me a bit getting settled into AZ. We discussed possible FTD awareness work with the Assisted Living community. What an exciting opportunity.

FTD can destroy a life quickly or slowly take it apart with family and friends in it. Me, I'm lucky enough to be going for the slow kill off. Luck and positive attitude will get you a long way in life. I've FTD, but I refuse to give up on making the best positive life for myself. I will continue to forge ahead and will not deviate to have a life of happiness and purpose. I'm also not alone. I'm thrilled that a friend of mine and fellow FTD'er from my group Peter has announced that he will be getting married. Peter is a great guy and like me is determined not only to live life, but make the most of it. He is also very clear he's getting married out of love and not looking for a caretaker. She'd already undertaken that task which he is extremely grateful. I wish Peter and his bride to be all the happiness in the world. Yes, we have that FTD strangeness, but we're still alive and making a life.

The FTD Patient Support Group is a group I might have created, but I am so proud to be a member. I've never been part of such a close knit group of people that are in a literal unending fight against an enemy that never backs down or stops. Yet, these brothers of mine keep fighting, laughing and making the most of life. The 70+ members from 10+ countries epitomize what the human spirit and life is all about.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to Gofundme as well as my friends who set the site up. The site has been taken down since I will be leaving NY. I'll be using that money to move and get settled in Arizona. My expenses are going to be much lower than NYC and I will live within my means. The main reason I'm moving is because I hate being a charity case. Yes, I've friends and many that constantly argue with me logically that I'm not a charity case but.........  that's how I feel.  I could use some help with the move and get settled in. If you'd like to help and donate, there is a Yellow Donate button on the Top Right of this Blog page. This is Paypal and it's safe to use Visa, Mastercard etc. Thank you very much. My goal is to be independent in Arizona. 

Never expected to move at this point in my life. Changes and adapting to change. That's life.

Howard