We have become slaves to our own indifferences.

So a couple of days ago I posted a video on YouTube asking is it possible for at least some in the anarchist community to come together, put aside their differences  and work together on issues they can agree upon. Hopefully this video is just the first of many more on the subject. 

Although I'll be the first to admit that the video is not my best work and making videos and being able to properly express myself in front of the camera is not my strong point, it is something I am trying to work on. I do know I am very passionate about freedom and living life without boundaries and controls. I know that I have been this way for as long as I can remember so if I can find a way to express that with you through video it is something I want to try to do. 

The point of these new videos are to hopefully begin to bring together those that are willing to talk openly and respectfully with each other on the various differences of anarchism, and yes maybe even bring in those theories that come close to anarchism. To begin to make some actual progress. To stop the infighting and tearing each other down and not just between the more separate theories but even the fighting going on within these groups. This kind of behavior does no good to anyone or any movement. I believe in my heart there are enough good hearted and well intentioned people out there, regardless of the "color" of anarchism they embrace, that can agree to disagree on some things and work together to find common ground so that real progress can be made. When real progress is made it doesn't just glorify one person or group or theory, real progress will improve all of our lives and those lives that are yet to come. 

You see I'm a dreamer. I envision things. I daily strive to see this world differently. Yes, I understand all the complex social economic theories out there regarding power, control, markets, socialism, individualism, etc. I get them, I've read them but quite frankly I don't care about that, at least not now. What I do care about is seeing myself, my family, my friends, those around me and the rest of humanity begin to live a life to their fullest extent. This can only ever be accomplished with the full liberation of human kind. I know what you're saying though, those other things I said I don't care about so much are important, and they are, but the continual focus and debate on them does nothing but bottle up the full potential of true freedom. These subjects have been debated now for centuries and we have gotten no closer to freedom because of those debates.  We have only been successful in creating a bigger divide amongst ourselves. This, unfortunately is what we as humans do best, divide ourselves and weaken our causes. 

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Life changes and my openness on cannabis

I wanted to take a few moments and write about a couple things that I hope will open your eyes and heart and give you some awareness. One is about something that has become a very large part of my life and caused significant changes. The other is something that could alter or improve that.

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with a rare spinal disease called Syringomyelia. I don't expect many, if any, of you to know what that is, most doctors don't even know about it. It's a rare debilitating disorder that attacks the core of the spinal cord with cysts that are incurable and barely treatable. My form is from a congenital birth defect and is fairly advanced. In three months time I have gone from being perfectly normal and healthy to walking with a cane, not being able to tie my shoes and experiencing high amounts of pain 24 hours a day. My spinal cord is swelling and crushing the nerves in my spine. It's painful, debilitating and can lead to crippling of the limbs and paralysis.

Not much is known about this disease. Very little research or awareness is being done and many times patients have to teach their doctor what it is and how best to treat it. This, as expected, has changed my life forever. It's caused me to stop and rethink my goals and plans in life and begin to set new ones, and although one could become very depressed with this news (and I certainly have had my down moments) it is teaching me more everyday to appreciate the simple things in life. To slow down and enjoy the present. To learn that life isn't what is thrown at us but what we make of what is being thrown at us.

Now this brings me to my second subject and something that sparked the idea for this article in the first place. It is the right of every human being to be able to choose and use the best treatment available to them. We, along with our families and physicians are of course the best at knowing what is the best treatment for bodies and the illnesses we might face. It is not a politician, body of elected officials or any other spurious group that claims any authority over us. 

We should never allow that to happen but in fact, that is exactly what we have done.

Cannabis, among many qualities, is one of the best treatments for my disease. It not only has proven to be a great pain killer with no side effects, as opposed to the many side effects of life long treatments with prescription narcotics, it has also shown in study to help promote new spinal tissue growth which over time could possibly begin to heal the damages done to my spinal cord by this disease.

Now I am not a new advocate for the legalization of cannabis, I have supported that for many years. I am not a recreational user and never have been but I also see that as a personal choice and not of some bureaucrat who has no authority to control your life. I am now though, faced with this in a personal way. To make the decision to use a treatment for pain that will cause damage to my body as I continue to use it and only offer moderate relief or to risk imprisonment if I choose to use a medicine that will offer a safer treatment for my condition.

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