X-Message-Number: 17251 Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 12:46:49 -0700 (PDT) From: Scott Badger <> Subject: More bad news First, I want to express how sad I was to find that Linda C. at Alcor is facing a battle with cancer. My warmest wishes go out to you, Linda. I know you're a scrapper though, or you couldn't be as dedicated to cryonics as you clearly have been all these years. Second, as many of you know, my mother passed away about 2 months ago after a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's. Since I've already put myself "out there" and shared that personal tragedy with the group, I thought I may as well share this too. On Aug 2, 2001, my father, Robert E. Badger, ended his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 82 and in good health. Like me, his friends and neighbors were taken completely by surprise, saying that father gave absolutely no indications of his plans. I had spoken to him only two days before. He was delighted with how successful the recent operation to remove a cataract from his left eye had been, and was scheduled to get the other eye done on Aug 3rd. Hed just traded in his car on a newer model only two days before. He'd made plans to sell the house and arrange for assisted living facilities. He'd received no bad news as far as anyone knew. He was even talking about finding a new female companion. I know that, among the elderly, a surviving spouse often passes away shortly after his/her partner does, but dad didn't seem to be at risk for this. These forward looking events seemed to everyone to reflect a more optimistic future orientation than he apparently had. There was no note and I will never have the answers that plague me. One thing that fascinated me as I went through his possessions at the house was the fact that my father was essentially a life-extensionist. I was amazed at the number of vitamins, herbs, and books in the house promising a longer and more energetic life. Even so, I could not interest him in cryonics. He was neither a violent man nor one to give up easily, yet these two features marked his final act. I am reminded of an earlier discussion on cryonet which pointed out that there is a significant risk that those who have signed up for cryonics may, in their elderly years, make irrational and confused decisions negatively affecting their plans for long-term survival. How can I insure that my current plans for survival can not be altered, even by me? It's not possible is it? Hopefully, I'll be able to surround myself with supportive friends/cryonicists who prevent me from doing anything that contradicts my current plans for cryopreservation. Perhaps this feature will be one of Venturewille's most valuable benefits. As for me, I am coping ... but I'm more determined than ever to take action to live a healthier and longer life. I ask that e-mailed condolances be sent to my private address rather than to cryonet. Optimistically yours, Scott Badger "Vita Perpetua" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17251