Hi All,
I believe I gave myself the name Budgieman - I share my home with 11 budgies (parakeets), two cockatiels, one love bird and a 50 years-old Amazon parrot named Nippy. I guess that's everyone. Oops - forgot to mention my wife Joann. It's a pleasure to join the group and meet you folks. As regards MS, I've had it for at least 50 years. I have to admit it's slowed me up some, but I still enjoy life and do what I can.
Hi Budgieman, they are great birds, very intelligent creatures. They sing beautifully, what a pleasure to have them. My auntie used to have lots of them but she had a minor bird called monty moonshine, a real character, my aunt taught it to say the cutest things. 50 years and your still smiling, your great example for all of us. Nice to meet you, blessings Jimeka
Hi Jimeka, I've had some wonderful pets with my birds. Most of the budgies are simply free-flying. A couple are caged. And one little bird was freeflying for years. Then she had the misfortune to develop a serious tumor. She's in a cage now and doing well. I know I'm going to lose her - but in the meanwhile, she's happy in her cage on the kitchen table.
The parrot has a big cage, but he only stays in it at night. He's free to come and go as he pleases. But he's blind now and that slowed him up a lot. The two of us have been together all his life. He was just a couple months old when I got him. Had to be careful around him for many years, but now he's a nice, old friendly bird, no longer inclined to bite someone.
Hi Budgieman Welcome to the best room there is, or l do say so myself. And l do say so.😁 That would be alot of birds to have, and they fly free? Do they go outside? I have to say Cockatiels are my favorite cage bird. My outside bird would be the Cardinals.
Feel free to jump in at anytime, as you can see we talk about pretty much anything and everything. But most importantly give each other support.
Jes🎄
Hi Jes,
I think cockatiels are great too. A cockatiel will bond with a person to where it's not clear who owns whom. And they're long lived - some make it into their thirties, long enough to have a major impact on their human's life. When my bonded pet cockatiel passed away, it was rough and it was a long time before I could get another one.
The loving, trusting companionship these birds provide definitely helps us in our struggle to minimize the negative emotional impact of living with MS.
I don't let my birds ever go outside uncaged. I've heard of people who do, but the risk would just be too high for me.
Norm
Hi Norm, I think I would be like you a bit protective, anything could have a go at them, too risky. I had budgies when I was a child, my Dad used to catch them in the chicken houses then we would have them in a cage in the kitchen. Unfortunately when my brother was born my Dad had to let them go as my brother was allergic to them but it was could while it lasted. I have a dog, Razor, he is marvellous, like your birds, such a pleasure and good company, I think the ms makes you softer and more in tune to other creatures. Blessings Jimeka
Hello Budgieman, it's Fancy1959 welcoming you and your wife to this incredible chat room. We encouraged not only MS patients but their caregivers also to join the chat room and participate with the group. Oh I love birds. I used to have a couple smaller version when I was younger but when I lost my cockatiel to a broken storm door I kind of lost heart and keeping them. I'd had him for years and years.
What a fabulous, positive attitude you have. You're going to be a great addition to our chat room. I'm sure you're a wealth of knowledge since you been dealing with MS for several decades. Make sure you jump right in to reply to post that you are interested in and ask any questions or concerns that you might have in the form of post. The more you interact with us the quicker you'll get to know us and we will get to know you!
I look forward to hearing from you soon. From our first conversation I would like you to take away one simple thought. That together we are stronger! Take care of yourself and if I don't speak to you before Christmas I hope your Christmas is very merry!🎄
Welcome! You surely have a very positive attitude and with a house full of birds, you must keep really busy! I hope you find lots of support here, and as a veteran of MS for so long, you'll surely have lots to share.
A warm welcome and a house full of birds. What more could one ask for <g>. It's certainly true that I've a lot of MS driven experiences I can share. An upbeat attitude is a big plus, as is a family that has stood with me. But there's naught to compare with sheer good luck. We each work out a way of coping. The bad times can be pretty bad, but they pass. An underlying optimism, justified or unjustified by what's happening, helps a lot. And it seems to be so true that every case is so unique to the individual that has it. So we take it one day at a time and do the best we can that day. Tomorrow's another day.
For me, the most significant experience was the transition from RR to SPMS. I remember RR, painful and crippling. And I kept working because what else could I do. But one day it dawned on me that I was doing better. Little by little the flare-ups went away, and was I ever pleased to see them go. I was becoming progressive, and, fortunately, it has advanced very, very slowly. At age 79, soon to be 80, I can still make it from one end of the house to the other without assistance. I'm klutzy, a little numb overall, and not very bright. But I have good family support, some good friends, and a lot of wonderful birds. Working together, they keep me in good spirits.
Budgieman You most definitely have the right attitude! I just get up and go, unless MS has other idea for me.😕
Making it through the aprt. For me on my good days is a challenge. So your doing better than me!! (But lm a total clutz) 😅
Pets are a comfort no matter what kind, as long as you love them 💕 And they will always love you back. 😊
Are you ready for the holidays?
Jes🎄
Holidays? I was thinking about that just yesterday. I have to confess, I'm a total failure at holiday activities. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's just because I got old and there's no children about to make it all happen. The result is that the holidays tend become - just days like any other. I just glanced at the calendar - my goodness. Christmas is next Sunday. Maybe I can invite a few friends to drop by - a little wine - a little popcorn - and that would do it for this year.
Norm
Budgieman ugh.. you sound like my bf. 😕 But l make him help me anyway cause it makes me happy. 😁 Have you asked your wife? Lol Alot of times we forget about the ones that love and take care of us when we need it the most.
Jes@🎄
Ps plz put an @ in front of my name with no spaces so l get your post. You can do that with everyone 😊
@jesmcd2 I don't yet understand the correct practices for this system. Do I understand correctly that a message intended for a specific individual should begin with the person's name preceded by @ with no spaces. I'm slow but trying to catch on.
With regard
Budgieman
Introductions 
Introduction to a new life
my long overdue introduction
Introductions about Amanda
My introduction
