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Comments: 349 • Responses: 31  • Date: 

dr_smanggalang330 karma

One time at school i was walking behind a girl in a wheelchair up a long mellow ramp and I could tell she was sort of getting tired. I wondered to myself should I offer her a hand by pushing her along. I didnt act upon that but I always wondered if she would have appreciated my help or not. How would you react if It were you amd I offered to push?

FPSRedHead381 karma

If I am noticeably having problems like she was then I would be thankful. But make sure they actually need the help. A pet peeve of mine is if I'm doing something just fine on my own but someone still tries to help just because I'm in the chair

dswpro177 karma

Congrats for beating the odds. Any idea what you want to do as a career? I imagine baseball is out. I wanted to play pro which would have been cool, but I really suck at baseball, so I went into computer science.

FPSRedHead266 karma

That is something I think about quite often. Finding a job I could do is very difficult. I would definitely need a job that is 100% on the computer. Or if my youtube and twitch channel work out that would be a great career. However with the oversaturated genre of gaming videos on YouTube and how bigger channels get boosted to front page on twitch, it makes it very difficult to grow a following.

buffetregret292 karma

I don't have any questions but your answers and positive outlook make me think of Shane Burcaw. He inspires me every day with his approach to life. I wish you the very best and hope you find a way to reach these goals.

FPSRedHead66 karma

Thanks man :)

nate128919 karma

What are your channels?

FPSRedHead111 karma

Same username for both. FPSRedHead. Although a warning I think most of my videos are very cringey lol. Still trying to find my style I guess.

XeroGeez86 karma

You ever deck out your wheelchair for holidays?

FPSRedHead157 karma

Lol not for the holidays. But when I was younger we did put stripes and stick on skulls all over it.

Digivee73 karma

My friend has spinal muscular atrophy type III (I assume its similar to your condition, with the name being the same) and constantly talks about his abusive mother and his fading will to live. Any advice you'd recommend I pass on to him?

FPSRedHead271 karma

Suicide is never the answer first off. Also there are always people out there to help you when things start to get rough. And he needs to tell someone how his mother treats him (and if he doesn't you should) his mom could seriously injure him if she is physically abusive especially because of his weak bones. And hey, if necessary, AND ONLY IF NECESSARY FOR SELF DEFENCE, your chair will do some serious damage.

thowawaygumby66 karma

Like, how do you live from day to day with such a huge burden? Having to face each day head on and know its going to be so hard. I could never live as a ginger.

FPSRedHead40 karma

Hahaha that was great!

Supernatantem42 karma

You said you record for Twitch and Youtube, what are some of your all time favourite video games? (Hit me up if you want any free Twitch overlay or design work doing, I'm a designer and I'd be happy to help out!)

FPSRedHead66 karma

I would say my top 3 would be, The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. And thanks for the offer! I'm currently switching ISP's so it may be a while before I can stream, but I'll message you if I need anything!

dotelpenguin37 karma

Thanks for doing the AMA.

Would love to see a more recent picture to see how you are progressing. I had a friend in HS that has the same affliction tho I do know know what the "types" designate. He had many different surgeries and had a rough time. At one point he had to literally hang from a Halo drilled into his Skull for hours a day. I know he had low points but he pulled though. He's now grown and doing pretty good for himself with job and life. Don't give up man keep strong, build friendships with people that can aid you on your journey. Drop those that will hinder you, invest in yourself. Wish you the best of luck.

  • What differentiates the types of SMA?

  • Do you have hired help to aid you in day to day hygiene and personal activities? or do you relay on family?

  • Feel like sharing some of your highest moments or lowest moments you have experienced? Either with the condition itself, or peoples reactions to.

FPSRedHead55 karma

1: I honestly don't know the difference between the types. sorry.

2: I am gonna post a photo of my self now, when I get home from school. It was midnight when I made this post so that was the only pic I had.

3: I have an aid at school but just have family at home.

4: my highest moment is definitely when I got my first girlfriend. And my lowest was in 8th grade when I was VERY shy and had literally no friends. It sucked.

stomppad1227 karma

Damn. Any tips in the lady department then bro? Asking for a friend

FPSRedHead100 karma

Just gotta slide in the dm's and be smooth af dude

UnclePhilWasMyFather29 karma

Have you had to deal with any depression or other social issues due to your condition and if so how did/do you deal with it? Thanks man .

FPSRedHead125 karma

I have had some rough times with making friends in the past. It's best sometimes just to talk about your feelings to someone whether it be a parent, counselor, or therapist. My parents are very supportive and are there when I need them. And for the social issues, you just got to go out and meet people. Some people will be jerks, and some will become your best friends. The Internet is a great place to make friends as well. Whether they're in another state or not a friend is a friend. My best friend is someone I've known for two years and we have never met irl. We still talk and play video games everyday and he's the best friend I've had. :)

IDidIt_Twice29 karma

All babies are now tested in the womb for SMA so a plan can be put into place prior to their arrival. Did your parents have any inkling prior to your birth that you had SMA?

You're very brave for doing this and I thank you for opening up your world to us. Many hugs and stay brave!

FPSRedHead37 karma

No I was not diagnosed until after I was born.

_Xernith_18 karma

Would you rather fight 1 horse sized duck or 100 duck sized horses?

FPSRedHead17 karma

1 billion horse size ducks

VintageOG12 karma

Do you have anything on your bucket list?

FPSRedHead45 karma

To visit another continent. any continent

fistotron50009 karma

How has your handicap affected you? And, BTW, I'm referring to the red hair.

FPSRedHead5 karma

Got em

lv708 karma

How's highschool been going for you so far? Also, what are some of your favorite video games?

FPSRedHead27 karma

High school has been great so far! And I really like shooters like CSGO and battlefield. But with Rockstar teasing Red Dead Redemption 2 I'm going to be playing a lot of that. :)

SeismicWhales6 karma

My little brother has Muscular Dystrophy(idk which type) he is 13 and the doctors said he would not be able to walk by age 6, and yet here he is still walking (just not very far, about 30 feet is how far he can get without getting exhausted.)

My high school is an interesting place and I guess my question for you is how was your time in high school? Did you get bullied? Did you make friends? Did people ever try to "mess" with you by screwing with your wheelchair?

FPSRedHead5 karma

Wow your brother is doing great!

1: never really been bullied 2: I have many friends now 3: ya people sometimes try to mess with the controls but if I tell them to stop they do.

Artiriux6 karma

Would you go to mars if you had the chance say, 10-15 years from now? I think about this alot. And i still am not sure.

FPSRedHead27 karma

Maybe to visit but definitely not to live there. It's hot on Mars dude

MissMerp926 karma

Have any teachers you ever had treated you differently because of your condition? If so, what did they do/how did they act?

FPSRedHead18 karma

Oh definitely. Most times its good things like letting me type a paper instead of writing it (my hands get tired really fast from writing). But sometimes I get ones that I guess think I also have a learning disability and give me less mentally challenging work.

EpilepticMongoose6 karma

Are you still answering questions?

What medications, if there is any, so you take?

FPSRedHead7 karma

I am answering questions but I'm in school right now so it's hard to keep up. I don't take any special medication

AdmiralStarfire5 karma

Hey, good morning! You have such a great smile! Totally super cute.

You mentioned that you're pretty adept with computers. Tell me, do you have any hobbies like making art or composing music or creative writing?

FPSRedHead3 karma

Mainly just playing video games. But I've been getting into photo/video/audio editing recently. :)

LingLing_NorthKorea5 karma

[deleted]

FPSRedHead13 karma

Pretty good. You?

LingLing_NorthKorea1 karma

[deleted]

FPSRedHead17 karma

Chrome on a phone/computer

SalishSailor2 karma

HEY ME TOO!

I mean, -chrome, +firefox

FPSRedHead2 karma

OH SNAP! It took me a while to get it. Got em

whasupjohn3 karma

[deleted]

FPSRedHead13 karma

I do have 1 brother but he does not have S.M.A.

Yes SMA is a mutation of your genes

And I want to go to the best college I can for something on the computer. That is, if twitch and youtube doesn't work out.

acoopy3 karma

Thanks for doing this. It's very brave. I'm a teacher and always looking for ways to help all of my students feel comfortable and secure in my classroom. Any suggestions for how a teacher should act if they overhear someone with disabilities getting bullied? Some students have said they like for teachers to step in and others are more comfortable handling it on their own. What are your thoughts?

FPSRedHead4 karma

Although I've never been bullied myself. I would say to tell the parents of the bullies how they're acting. And if it continues to tell the principal. Very sorry I can't tell you much more im not very experienced when it comes to being bullied

staythestranger3 karma

How do you feel about the current political situation / election season in the USA?

FPSRedHead9 karma

R.i.p. the states.

yeliabish3 karma

I'm a bit late to the game, but if you get to my questions...

What would be more offensive to you, someone inviting you along on an outing/activity that would almost impossible for you to join, (ie; going downtown in a major city and going shopping in and out of lots of stores with steep steps and no ramps), or the close friend/family not inviting you at all?

Have you thought about dating/marriage? Would you rather date/marry someone else in a wheelchair, or someone who's not in a wheelchair?

What's the biggest obstacle you thought you'd never overcome that you did overcome, whether it's related to being in a wheelchair or not?

My 16 year old sister is in a wheelchair due to spina bifida, she's been struggling lately with it and seems almost depressed, have you battled any depression over being in a wheelchair, or are you pretty at peace with it?

FPSRedHead3 karma

1: I would rather not be invited to something I can't even do 2: Ya I guess but I don't think about it often, I would rather date someone not in a chair because 2 handicapped people living together would be a very difficult life. 3: getting a girlfriend 4: I was really sad about it from 5-8th grade. But I've come to peace with it now.

SilentlyCrying2 karma

How is S.M.A usually fatal? Are you more prone to illness like colds and flus?

FPSRedHead3 karma

It can cause fatal breathing problems

clpage19911 karma

Is there any chance of repairing your spine?

And now that you have a new perspective on life, having beaten the odds, what do you look forward to most?

FPSRedHead4 karma

I will be getting a surgery in the future at some point. Either a spinal fusion, or they will put metal rods on each side of my spine.

I am really just looking forward to graduating school and getting a job that pays the bills and I enjoy. Other than that I'm not quite sure.