Mailing List for Sober Waka-festers

[chuckles]

I have been in communication with a few Recovery people about starting up a mailing list for people that want to build the fellowship. We plan on organizing meetings, support contacts and possibly a campsite for the recovery community.

Please send an email to the following address and you will be added to the mailing list.

sober.waka@comcast.net

Let's do this sober thing in style, brothers and sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

namaste.
charlie (chuckles)

[squirrelsmom]

Charlie,

My son died at the Wakarusa Festival last year. I hope that the many people that were at the festival learned from this and will join your sober list. Fun can be had, and remembered when the high you have is the natural beauty of self. Squirrel (Jimmy) was a beautiful soul, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him or wish he were here with me. I hope that you know for every action there is a reaction, and there are those of us who don't want to see another child die.

Best success to all of you and enjoy.

Squirrelsmom

[mamacita]

{{{{{mom}}}}}}

So so sorry for your loss :cry:

[chuckles]

[quote:cb1acbea1a=\"squirrelsmom\"]Charlie,

My son died at the Wakarusa Festival last year. I hope that the many people that were at the festival learned from this and will join your sober list. Fun can be had, and remembered when the high you have is the natural beauty of self. Squirrel (Jimmy) was a beautiful soul, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him or wish he were here with me. I hope that you know for every action there is a reaction, and there are those of us who don't want to see another child die.

Best success to all of you and enjoy.

Squirrelsmom[/quote:cb1acbea1a]

Hello Squirrelsmom.

I wondered if it would be alright that we made a shirt with a drawing of a squirrel in honor of your son for our little crew?

Additionally, I just want to say that in the 2 1/2 years of sobriety God has blessed me with, I have shed tears for only a few stories. This is one of those moments. Thank you for sharing. And, feel free to stay in contact if you need anything at all. You have our email address now.

God Bless you and your family,
charlie :)

[scottt]

(((((({{{{{{[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]}}}}}})))))) for Squirrelsmom.

I can't begin to imagine what you have been through. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Thank you for posting in this thread. It is a most poignant reminder that you don't need to ingest hazardous chemicals to enjoy yourself. In fact, doing so can not only ruin your festival experience, but it could have far more devastating consequences.

It's a long weekend folks and to make the most of it you need to take it easy. Stay hydrated. Wear your sunscreen. Take care of your shoes. Pace yourself. And take it one day at a time.

[lucidvision]

I don't mean to be a bastard, but how did he pass?

[squirrelsmom]

Thank you for your kind words, it makes my heart weap. Charlie, of course you may, I have squirrels inside & outside of my house, even though it was Jimmy that I knew, Squirrel is who he was. Lucidvision, I have my theory & the Coroner's report. Their report said he died from a methadone & cocaine overdose. The newspaper said (which I have little faith in) said he drank, took cocaine, methadone, and xanex, had a seizure and then went to sleep. My theory: Friday he called, he had a grand mal seizure, and petit mal seizures throughout the day Saturday. My son was in recovery and was doing quite well, but he had called 2 wks before the concert & said he had a bad feeling. First you must know my other son has a seizure disorder as well, and Squirrel's son has neurological difficulties. As you know you can seize when you go cold turkey from certain drugs, like cocaine. I think that was his seizure, and he tried to self medicate, and he died. There is something called Sudden unidentified death that results from a seizure disorder, where they just fall asleep and die. Sorry, this is just my theory, but I know the drugs were his demon and he really tried. I wish there was a group at the concert that could have embraced him when he was there. You know my son's cause of death was in the paper before I was told??? Anyway, no reason why you can't have a wonderful time, but do me a favor, if you see someone seizing, help them. They become combative, but just make sure they are safe & get help. If you see someone sleeping too soundly, whisper in their ear, ck. their breathing. My son's death was needless, and I'd hate to see this happen to any of you. Be safe. Parents do love their children, even if they don't say it often enough--it's just their way.

[punkin]

Dear Squirrelsmom,

Please know that many, many people within the Wakarusa and Lawrence communities extend love and healing to you. Deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your son, Squirrel.

[Fozzie]

Wow....so sorry that your son was lost like that. I'm not sure how I'd ever be able to deal with that if I was a parent.

My thoughts are definitely with you right now....

We should all definitely keep situations like that in mind when at Wakarusa this year....and if we see someone in need(whether they are seizing, or are just TOO f'd up) not be scared to try and help them. It's too easy to say, \"Oh.....he'll be fine.\"

[randall747]

Squirrelsmom,

I'm so very sorry about your son. There isn't words. I lost my best friend to a drug overdose after a music festival in Florida a few years back. My thoughts are with you and your family.

I heard about Squirrel last year at Wakarusa and wondered if he was the same Squirrel that I knew from music fests in Florida. I don't know what this Squirrel's real name was and only saw him at music festivals in Live Oak, FL. It has been 4-5 years since I saw him last.

Again, I am very sorry for your loss.

Much love,


Randall

[squirrelsmom]

Randall,

I too am sorry for your loss. Friends are an important part of what makes us whole. We live in Florida, and the Squirrel you knew there is probably one in the same.

With warmest thoughts

Squirrelsmom

Also want to thank those of you who have written, it is so helpful to me. If I knew how to send a picture of him, I would.

[randall747]

Squirrelsmom,

I was worried that he may be the same guy I knew in Florida. If it is indeed, he had spent quite a bit of time at our campsite each year with his friend Johnny. He was really funny and although most everyone is happy at these events, Squirrel always seemed so happy to me. He said he spent a lot of time in the Keys and had unfortunately spent a little time in jail before I saw him last. I wish I would have seen him at Wakarusa as I am sure I would have remembered his face. :(

This is a small community of very kind people and we all have to take care of eachother and use common sense. Squirrelsmom, if you know how and would like to email me a picture of Squirrel, please send it to randall747@hotmail.com.

Take good care,


Randall

[misssupersarah@gmail.com]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope that this will change many peoples mind before they decide to partake in anything.

[BabyPaco]

Thanks SM. It helps to remind us the reality of drug/alcohol addiction. The reality is that most of us never make it to any kind of meaningful recovery. I have buried a lot of friends before recovery and in recovery I have seen a lot go out and not make it back. Its hard espeically for the young and bulletproof to realize how powerful addiciton really is.

I would be honored to sport a squirrell shirt during the festival. If somebody organizes I am on board. I think it would be a good thing to be able to recognize other \"friendlies\" during the festival. Maybe we can remember him and do some good. I would avoid preaching at people though. Recovery is meant to be a program of attraction. If people are not ready to stop using, no amount of talking will help. I would stand ready to help anybody who wants help though.

[chuckles]

[quote:6e63b8ef11=\"BabyPaco\"]Thanks SM. It helps to remind us the reality of drug/alcohol addiction. The reality is that most of us never make it to any kind of meaningful recovery. I have buried a lot of friends before recovery and in recovery I have seen a lot go out and not make it back. Its hard espeically for the young and bulletproof to realize how powerful addiciton really is.

I would be honored to sport a squirrell shirt during the festival. If somebody organizes I am on board. I think it would be a good thing to be able to recognize other \"friendlies\" during the festival. Maybe we can remember him and do some good. I would avoid preaching at people though. Recovery is meant to be a program of attraction. If people are not ready to stop using, no amount of talking will help. I would stand ready to help anybody who wants help though.[/quote:6e63b8ef11]

Join us if you'd like, Babypaco @ sober.waka@comcast.net We've got a few of us swappin' stories and gettin' ready for the festivities. We'd love to have you a part of.

charlie

[squirrelsmom]

I just wanted again to thank all of you for your kindness. If any one would like to see Squirrel's web page it's at http://jimmy-pospisil.memory-of.com.

With love,

Squirrelsmom