Uploads from Daifuku Sensei

nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 07:13:35 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:27:07 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:32:51 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 08:31:55 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:59:00 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:23:26 -0700

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Where Yoda lives.

nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:17:14 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:44:15 -0700

Daifuku Sensei posted a photo:

I've learned this past weekend that one way to forget about all life's problems is to sit on a wet rock in the middle of a lively stream, waiting for Mother Nature to whisper in which direction to shoot.

What I See.

nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:28:26 -0700

Daifuku Sensei posted a photo:

Daily for the past year I've been experiencing severely weak eyelids, double-vision, blurred vision, headaches, and shaking eyeballs.

It all began with a persistent cough and dramatic loss of breath, followed by drooping eyelids. Symptoms persisted until the ability of opening the eyes or merely blinking felt akin to lifting weights. I just couldn't do it. Doctors couldn't explain it, and dismissed rare but similar disorders such as apraxia and blepharospasm. No treatment worked.

The muscular weakness quickly began to affect the eyes themselves, and now my eyeballs shake and jitter all over the place when trying to focus on anything. So, on the rare occasion my eyes were open unassisted, I've learned to "stare at infinity" in order to avoid the subsequent pain and vertigo of my shaking eyeballs. Hence the constant double-vision. Again unexplained by doctors, other conditions such as nystagmus and myasthenia gravis were both dismissed, and related treatments did nothing.

Everything from reading to walking became a chore. I've had to quit school three courses short of an Honours graduation and every day I've feared for my job. After daily frustration, anger, blame, punching walls, and asking "why me?", I've accepted that I no longer have a say in the matter, and need to adapt. Only then can I understand what my body is physically telling me, and learn how to control it mentally. I've been forced to learn how to deal with this, mentally and spiritually.

With the realization that things could be much worse, I have subsequently re-trained myself to blink and can keep my eyes open with focused effort. Memorization and pattern recognition play a key role in my recovery, and quite surprisingly I can work 100%; I love my job, and all fears of losing it were unwarranted. In terms of studies, I am able to complete any remaining courses part-time over the next year.

Each day is different, and I remain forever uncertain as to just what might happen climbing out of bed. Walking down the street with the eyes closed, working on a computer with double-vision and a constant headache, not being able to enjoy a simple movie or have a normal social life... This is a daily challenge only made bearable by the love and support of friends and family. I am working diligently toward the day when this disorder is no longer an obstacle, but rather an afterthought.

In the meantime, Spring is here and the sun is shining. And considering the severity of more serious conditions endured by others, I should only be so fortunate to experience it. No day should be taken for granted.

nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:40:14 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:03:01 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:48:04 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:59:20 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:46:47 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:42:40 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 08:03:08 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:54:53 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:39:54 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:35:46 -0700

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nobody@flickr.com (Daifuku Sensei) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:49:29 -0700

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