Reader Response To Sports Liquor Story

23/08/2008 04:22
Dear Mybirdie:

Just read your article on our Sport Stadiums selling Liquor to minors. I don't know if our story will help you, but I felt I should send it.

It is a bit perplexing that society is willing to drink at a Game when most of them have to drive home and don't want to fall asleep in the stadium. But, being a recovering alcoholic now for 16 months, 5 days, I would have been more than happy to chug-a-lug with the best of them.

My biggest concern is the astounding number of under aged kids that are drinking, many starting at home with Mom & Dad. Makes me wonder what type of a society will there be, when they are adults in charge of things.

I'll leave this with you, to use at your own discretion. God Bless you in your endeavors!

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I'll try to make this brief, but if you should have any inquiries, please let me know. To explain the years preceding our health deterioration, we both had been married twice previous, to individuals that we were not suited for. As most people do now a days, we drank to relax and calm our nerves. And while that is a poor excuse, unfortunately, very true for many. Never had we heard, read, or even been told, by anyone, of possible derogatory health effects from Alcohol, so it all came as a real shocker.

Myself and my late husband were born to Mothers who drank. We picked up the nasty little drinking habit quite well, in our late teens, when first employed. Being the youngest and newest recruit, you want to fit in and be accepted, especially when you are hoping for a career in that field. Many lunch and after work drinks became a ongoing way of life. Both of us were well educated and extremely hard working, therefore rose quickly in the professions we loved. This all came to a devastating halt in our mid 40's. It is called 'Grand-Mal Seizures' somewhat related to 'Epilepsy'.

There are no known cures! Prescription drugs are the only help, along with complete Alcohol abstinence, permanently. The current medications have pages and pages of horrific side effects, and hit each patient different times, different ways. You must stay on these pills for the rest of your life though! And are expensive. I have a distant relative, who's baby girl was born with the exact same problem. So it's not really Epilepsy, but almost another form of it. While this tiny little girls parents have never consumed Alcohol, suspicions are that her Dad's biological parents did. But being adopted, leaves the question unanswered.

When it first hit, our drivers license's were suspended, in addition to us both having to quit our employment, which is very horrible, when you have worked your entire life in a profession you loved, and are extremely well known and respected in the industry. Not to mention the fact that you've been accustomed to a certain level of income, which is now basically, vanished into thin air! Your license to drive may be returned after six months, without an attack, however it is like having a wretched poisonous snake, dwelling permanently inside of you forever ! The medication professes to hold it down, so to speak and yes it does, however, it is always on your mind, especially when your license to drive is returned and makes travelling costs, to an unbelievable amount of Doctors/Specialists/Surgeons and blood tests, slightly more affordable.

There is a little journal book always here in our home, where it is noted, time and day medication is taken, in dreaded fear of missing, then being served notice basically, by the python dwelling inside. He is very aware when he hasn't received breakfast or supper, call it 'tranquilizing medication'. Consequently, you may or may not be served his wrath! I trust you get the picture.

I never ever leave the house, without checking this precious little diary, always sitting in clear plain view, as having a seizure while driving could cause a horrendous dreadful outcome! This is not drunk driving so to speak, but the aftermath of drinking for years and years, not to mention the continual worry of it causing a fall, sometimes splitting your skull open (happened twice.)

A year before my spouse passed away, he had a seizure while negotiating two steps, flew over 20 ft., breaking his hip, resulting in surgery, then a year long recovery process. This is for someone who at 6 ft 4" tall, in excellent physical condition. Previously he had broken his arm and ankle from the same cause ! And all because of the almighty drink.

I am attempting to bring this to as many organizations attention, as possible, as well as our governments, federal and provincial. Hoping that along with AA, ALANON, MADD it will result in mandatory warning labels on all liquor containers, and an increase in purchase prices!

Cigarette manufacturers have been forced to do the same, and I don't remember having ever heard of a deadly traffic accident or a bone breaking fall, from smoking.

This sort of affliction, does make life difficult. Causing again, a great deal of stress, as suddenly everything you've known and been accustomed to, is uprooted and basically gone! My lovely husband passed away, a year ago last April, from a perforated ulcer, and his reluctance to go into the hospital immediately, as he didn't want me to be on my own, I suspect, in case of an attack! Well, my sweets, I'm kinda on my own now.

Thank you for spending valued time, reading our story. I trust you will pass this on to others. I have replied to by some, they absolutely convinced, seizures are only caused from alcohol withdrawal. Well, not so. I'm no physician, but have confirmed this with professionals, and it is only from continued drinking! And having this wretched, horrible health defect, is like wondering if the unwanted tenant inside, is dead, alive, pissed off with you bored, or maybe, just maybe, peacefully content, for now?

Sincerely yours, in deep hopes of helping others,

Sheila Joyce Gibbs,
Victoria, B.C.

SINC SAYS:

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but I seriously doubt many of your "theories" have any basis in science.


READER RESPONSE:

Don,

That's quite the first posting on the website today.

Anyway, Sheila should know that seizures can be caused by a number of things. For example, they think mine, which I had over a year ago and have not had a recurrence, was caused because the electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.) in my body were out of balance. Where did this drinking thing and alcoholism as the only cause of seizures come from?

No Name Please
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Like I stated earlier there is no science or evidence involved in Sheila's views. They are personal and subject to query, not to mention highly unlikely.