Tribute to Paul "Onceuponatime" Martello

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(Edited)

To be, or not to be--that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.


Paul with Michael, Angus and Stan at Mission Space headquarters

Alas, my dear friend Paul Martello is currently wrestling with Hamlet's dilemma. I'm writing this now so he can hopefully read my thoughts on his life. A couple months ago he had a massive stroke which left him lying in his home in Greece for many hours before he was discovered and rushed to the hospital. As a result, he has been paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak since then. He was recently transferred to a hospice in Switzerland where strong laws permit him to refuse medical service and food allowing him to control his own fate and pass on with dignity in the presence and care of a loving family.

To die, to sleep--No more
--and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.


Stan, Daniel, Paul and Michael at the Corinth Canal

A lot of us have tried to talk to him. He is a very strong-willed person unwilling to spend the next twenty or thirty years trapped in a malfunctioning body unable to have the quality of life to which he is accustomed. He is courageous, strong, tough, strong willed, stubborn, determined and never never wants anyone else to control him. That is the worst thing that anyone could ever try to do to Paul. Especially when, as a devout Christian he knows that "although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." -- 2 Cor 5:6. He has a new version 2.0 body waiting for him just across the spiritual Jordan river.

To die, to sleep--
To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause.

Paul is not worried at all about what dreams may come in that sleep of death. He knows, as St. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:1 "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life."

There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin?

So, Paul has chosen this metaphorical bodkin (dagger), refusing to eat and intends to exit on his own terms. He has no need to bear the fardels (burdens) of this life any longer.

Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all...

Paul has no such fears. Paul has had so many life experiences in many different cultures and in many different countries. He has lived in caves in Afghanistan, in the Himalayan mountains in a high altitude remote village. He has lived in a luxury high rise in the city, on the streets, under bridges, in ditches, with native Indians in Arizona, in prison, in arctic mining camps, on the concrete floor of a dark and bare basement, in a van, in a cabin in the woods and in a trailer. He has worked as a labourer, as an entrepreneur, as an accountant, as an undercover tax fraud agent for the Government of Canada and then right back to being a pizza delivery man.

He has lived in poverty and with riches. His views about life and death have been shaped by what he has seen and experienced. Things more diverse than almost anyone will ever experience in their lifetime. He is supremely intelligent, in fact he was moved ahead by two grades in school and yet contrastingly he is highly impractical and idealistic. He has read more books and studied more subjects than any one that I know or have heard about.

Paul is my partner in Terradacs, where we together funded the development of BEOS and is a board member on the BLCA Limited Cooperative Association that was created to operate BEOS. I will miss him terribly if he leaves us. So will his many friends some of who are shown in the photos here. I hope that many of you will post your love and remarks to Paul in the comments below while he is still with us and able to appreciate them.

“The things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them this was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." -- CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

See you later Onceuponatime - "There at the Beginning of the Stories You Love"


Paul stands in the place of St. Paul before the bema (judgement seat)
of Proconsul Galleo (occupied by me) in Corinth per Acts 18:12


Paul's many friends gather in a restaurant at the base of the Acropolis in Athens

Epilogue

Dear friends and business associates of Paul "Onceuponatime" Martello,

Unfortunately I need to give you the news that our dear brother Paul passed away this morning at 10:25. He was strong, brave and resolved to the end. Larry, Manuela and I were with him holding his hand as he took his last breath.

As you know he was offered every possibility for recovery both here and in Greece and he chose this path. I am happy that he is now at peace and I am confident of seeing him again under better circumstances. I know that he was confident of that too.

In faith and hope,

Ted Martello and family



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Paul sounds like quite the individual. The most interesting part I read was all of the different places he has lived. I myself have only lived in 5 different places, all within a 50 mile radius of each other. It is people like Paul that encourage me to step outside of my comfort zone.

Best wishes to all friends and family involved. Things like this are difficult to endure, no doubt.

Stan you are a good friend to take the time to write this.

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A very sad friend.

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Brought to you by @tts. If you find it useful please consider upvoting this reply.

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This is so sad. And at the same time, I can feel the love you have for your friend.
It's hard saying good-bye to someone you love. I know this like no other. On the other hand, I can only respect it if someone has made these clear choices in regards to the end of their life. It's sad that this happened to him but isn't it what most of us want in the end? To be able to say: this is it, when and how we want? Most of us don't have that choice. Beautifully written @stan. People we love never really leave us. I wish you much strength and love in this coming time.

@tipu curate

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This is really disheartening. Paul (@onceuponatime) was an advocate for Steem, Bitshares, and BEOS.

In my few interactions with him, it is clear where he stood: on the side of freedom. He was 100% against slavery and the system that is instilling it.

A guy like that doesn't come along everyday. The level of knowledge he carried was immense.

It saddens me that he is headed towards leaving this earthly form.

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this is so sad. @onceuptonatime if you read this please consider to not do any FINAL decisions, medicine changes daily and loads of things it still doesnt understand.

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Luckily Paul will find a new friends in heaven. Thanks for posting this.

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Luckily Paul will
Find a new friends in heaven.
Thanks for posting this.

                 - steemitqa


I'm a bot. I detect haiku.

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It's very sad @stan. Paul was one of the first people to "greet" me here in the world of Steem, and we followed each other's musings quite closely for better than 2 1/2 years, before his "incident." We had some very interesting and enriching philosophical debates along the way!

Seems very much his style to move on, on his own terms, and I salute him for that... but he will be missed.

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(Edited)

Beautifully written @stan.

Paul @onceuponatime, with all these life experiences you have had and all the gifts God has blessed you with, there is so much more you have to offer. I would love to read about all these wonderful life experiences you have had. Your life journey can be used to inspire, encourage and comfort so many people out there, and sometimes our physical limitations, sufferings and pain becomes part of our story that God can use to bless others. I know God has certainly used my physical limitations, sufferings and pain to enrich my life and encourage others.

Joni Eareckson Tada became an inspiration and encouragement to so many people after an accident that left her quadriplegic, and Helen Keller ministered to people through her deaf blindness.

You are blessed to have friends that care for you so deeply.I hope you stay strong and consider embracing the next adventure God has for you on earth before He calls you home in His time.

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(Edited)

Well @stan, I haven't really interacted directly much with Paul before. So I hadn't the chance to know him so well. But as a matter of fact, I've seen him commenting and interacting in the posts of some steemians that I follow and that I can consider good friends. And just from that scarce feedback, I know he is a good chap and you can say I'm pretty much in sync and in communion with his way of thinking. :)

Knowing the fresh news of what he is going through right now, are indeed sad news. But after reading your great tribute for him and being aware now of his many life experiences and stories. I can say that I understand him well as someone who has been a victorious warrior of many battles and who is aware that his many victories in his recent past now allow him the license to proclaim in peace: ¡Mission accomplished!

I hope that many of you will post your love and remarks to Paul in the comments below while he is still with us and able to appreciate them.

My biggest regards and respect to @onceuponatime & @twiceuponatime and my best sentiments for his family.

In today's high-tech and highly technified world, everything is still possible. So a soon and triumphant return is not at all disposable. Apparently, he has us already accustomed to many of such feats. So, one more of his cunning and strategic moves, we would not be surprised at all. ;)

Meanwhile and knowing in advance that both of them: @onceuponatime & @twiceuponatime are just a pair of old hippies like me who enjoy Cream, The Grateful Dead and many more good bands from our good times. Let's then share a fine old song as my own tribute and homage for his prompt recovery in my own style.

«-Paul And The Wolf-»


Obviously, everyone will have to make some arrangements and substitute some names in the choirs in the middle of this song. So, do it!! ;)

¡Ouzo and Out!

Salud!! :)

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(Edited)

Good grief, Stan! :O

I am so distressed to hear of this. What is it with you BEOS founders? You and Paul, both confronting death up close and personal... ;(

Paul, (@onceuponatime), if you're reading this; Do you know about, are you aware of hydrogen therapy for strokes? And do you know about hyperbaric oxygen treatments for strokes?

Brother, I believe that both of these treatments could possibly help you to recover... Curiously enough, I have just finished building a hydrogen/oxygen generating machine for my wife...

"Fountain of Youth"

...and my wife and I have begun breathing the gas as a means of improving our general health. You can purchase these machines ready-made as well; if you need to know where, please just ask me.

Please, Paul, don't forget what another Paul once said:

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."

Friend Paul, if you can, please read the material at the links in this message... May our good LORD Jesus bless you and bring you back to health! You will be in my prayers.

😄😇😉

@creatr

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(Edited)

Ah, this is so sad. I lost my father this way last year and it hurts to read that this has happened to Paul. A sad day, my thoughts are with him and his family.

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lost dad then mom on dads b day the next year makes you realize the fragility of life!

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It does indeed. Mine was the same circumstances but it was all in the one year in a small number of months.

It gives you a terrible sense of mortality

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I don't like to think of it as terrible but it is a harsh fact. Just like paying taxes, we will all die. Who can escape it? Only those who have faith in God and a resurrection from the dead have any hope beyond this life of vanity.

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Paul, I'm very sorry to hear about the stroke. Like @kingscrown said, it doesn't make sense to make a decision like that so soon. I still remember you from some of the fun contests you put on in the earlier days of Steem like this one.

A big change can bring on sadness depression but we are all adaptable. Those that love you can adapt as well, and would probably want to rather than lose you forever. There is the possibility to find new fulfillment in your life. I don't know you very well and I don't know the full extent of your situation but I hope it's not stubbornness that will end your life.

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Really sorry to hear this, although we never really interacted much on chain with each other he was a big part of Steem from the very beginnings and I often saw him interacting and curating all over the place. May your votes that have generated users Steem Power do a lot of good in the future through further distribution and people being able to track where they originated from.

Like many others stated in the comments, please consider the near future and the evolving technology and give it more thought.

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I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

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Dear @stan, I'm sorry to hear about this all. When I saw the title, I did a double take as I used to interact with @onceuponatime on here back when I was writing a lot more.
I do hope everything takes a positive turn and I wish him good health and quick healing.
It's been said in many comments but you're a great friend to write this for him. I think we all would want someone to speak as highly of us if we were ever found in a similar position.
Prayers with you!

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I interacted, briefly, with Paul & remember well his playful spirit and love of language.

Thank you, for your trust in sharing this tribute. If I might be allowed to bring in the spiritual dimension —- we are not permitted to be done with life, until life is done with us.

Each stage, if we properly know how to use it, offers mysterious blessings.

I pray Paul will consider this & not give up on the Beauty-to-come 🙇🏻‍♂️


wukmef.jpg


8fkisu.jpg

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When i came here Paul receive me very happy, we hope Paul recover the life in great form, sorry Stan for your and our friend.

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Wow, truly a man of all seasons. Such a full life. Quite an amazing individual.

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@stan, please convey him my personal experience of miracle. One of my very close relative had a brain stroke in 1st week of October, and was put in the ICU for near a month. Here is a photo I took in the ICU ( for the first time posting it here) in first few days where there was some hope.

IMG20190803120128.jpg

But after couple of weeks, he was lying there with full body paralysis after which the doctor advised to take him home. They said, there is very little hope of he recovering (as if he were brain dead) and we took him home.

After 4 months of nursing and care at home, today he has recovered to raise his hands, recognize people, murmuring , express some feelings. There are certain things beyond medical science, and I think, Paul can definitely make a come back.

And there are even alternative medicines, which are effective and worthwhile to explore. I will be happy to personally show videos of my relative, if Paul wants to see how life can see miracles.

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Please consider sending a message that music can help recover the speech, maybe songs he like to sing can help increase the recovery!

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These are sad news... Each person should be able to decide his own destiny, just a big hig hug from here in this hard moments.

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I am so sorry to hear this. Thank you for writing such a nice post. Our mortality is something we all must face, and it never ceases to cause sadness to loved ones when our bodies confront conditions like strokes or paralysis. Know that our bodies are only temporary vessels, and the lives he has touched will continue on

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@stan
You wrote a lot of awesome.Thanks for sharing the pictures between us, each of your posts is so beautiful and unique.There is nothing wrong with believing in yourself all the time.
Have a wonderful moment in your life and thank you so much for sharing the experience, hope you will share more good things with us.

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I'm so sorry to hear that.
I wish you strength, brave Paul.

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For those who don't know, Paul has been one of the staunchest supporters of blockchain technology, especially graphene-based ones such as BitShares, Steem, and BEOS, giving both time and money to help build a decentralized future based on personal autonomy.

And in a world where it's easy to doubt the integrity of other people, Paul is one of the few people who I've never doubted. I think just about anyone who's met Paul in person feels the same way.

Paul, if you're reading this, please reconsider and fight as hard as you can. Our bodies can be wonderfully resilient and I've seen people come back from similar situations.

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This really came as a shock to me! No wonder his post has been too silent for such a long time. I was wondering why! I hope there’s a way to get him back. But I doubt if he would agree as he is too strong to be afraid of anything!
This is a great loss,my heart is very saddened by this news! He was my informal
Mentor and supporter who taught me many things! I always miss him so!

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(Edited)

Oh my gosh! I had no idea he passed away! He was one of my supporters from day 1.
It was nice meeting him in amsterdam for the first @steemfest RIP @onceuponatime 😭 I am so sad but wish YOU well on the other side of that rainbow 🌈🌈 Bridge. Thank YOU!

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This is one of the most honorable posts I have yet to see here on STEEM or anywhere. Losing a friend is extremely painful and I can imagine even more so when it is their will to die slowly and in their own terms.
Paul is definitely a courageous man. I had not heard of him before, but I do highly admire courage as it is so rare these days.
May his family and friends find counsel. May he also be welcomed into the Lord's table and find everlasting peace.

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Last night my wife Maria saw for the first time a dream that Paul is walking again!!! Maria was praying Paul to get healed before going to sleep...
I can understand Maria to see a dream like that since her subconscious was clearly on that direction...
Now comes the interesting part...
My son Peter-Nektarios (aged 12), for the first time (the same night), dreamed that Paul walked again !!!!
THAT can't be a coincidence.

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That’s wonderful. Praying this will become reality soon.

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through the eyes and soul of my husband I know PAUL...and because I believe that there is love and everything can be donekindness in man, God and our Lord will not abandon him and with the prayers of his friends and loved ones ....I would be happy if the dream of Maria and Peter came true.
with loving appreciation and respect for our friend Paul
Μες της ζωής τα μονοπάτια διαβάτης είμαι ο φτωχός τον ουρανό πάντα κοιτάζω εκεί που είναι ο Χριστός . Αυτός η μόνη μου ελπίδα με προστατεύει από ψηλά Αυτός η μόνη μου χαρά εδώ στον κόσμο χαμηλά .

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@Onceuponatime, if u are reading this, i just want to say you have impacted my blockchain life. I've use your tagline- "There at the Beginning of the Stories You Love" when presenting the BEOS project. My prayers goes to you.

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You are were always a great supporter of the greek community and a great art lover. For that we are thankful and always happy to read your great stories, your humorous contests and witty comments. I am really sad to hear about the stroke and i am hoping for the best.

Θυμάμαι είχα διαβάσει μια ιστορία σου για ένα νοσοκομείο στον Καναδά και μια θεραπεία που έπρεπε να κάνεις για το πόδι σου νομίζω. Ήταν σαν μια περιπέτεια και αν και δεν θυμάμαι τις λεπτομέρειες. θυμάμαι σίγουρα ότι στο τέλος σκέφτηκα οτι αυτός ο άνθρωπος ειναι μεγάλος πολεμιστής.Η ζωή δίνει στους μεγαλύτερους πολεμιστές τις μεγαλύτερες μάχες γιατί ξέρει οτι θα νικήσουν και η νίκη τους θα γίνει ένα σύμβολο για εμάς τους απλούς ανθρώπους.

Είμαι σίγουρος οτι θα νικησεις και σε αυτή την μάχη και θα την κάνεις και αυτη μια ιστορία που θα αρχίζει όπως πάντα με το μια φορα και εναν καιρο.

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Very sad to hear this hope everything works out as he wishes ouzo and out.

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I may not know Paul, but I know that he is a good person, and pure in the eyes of God! His faith is so strong and he absolutely experienced the presence of God, that made him have that steadfast faith! God bless you, Paul and we will meet you one day in heaven with our Savior JESUS!

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Very sorry, I wish you all the best

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"Very sorry for Paul may God protect his dreams so they can live and be true one day"

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(Edited)

My dear friend, you are an outstanding person in every shape and form. I’ve had so many great conversations with you and I really really miss that.
We all have such amazing memories of our time with you in Loutraki because you made it happen, so I want to thank you yet again (I love seeing our pictures in Stan’s post, thanks Stan)
As I said to you the other day, I have never met someone with such a powerful mind and I wish you would use it to re-route that powerful brain of yours, as well I said I will respect your wishes but I did think of another item to discuss :)
I said I would get you a pretty caretaker if you rehabbed and came back to Terrace but what about FOMO :). Yes my friend the fear of missing out:). What would she look like? And let’s not miss this opportunity to mention the FOMO with BEOS :)

Thanks for getting me involved with crypto and educating me on worldly topics. Just when I thought I knew it all, you always gave me new perspectives.

Both Lloyd and I would love to spend more time with you on Earth so I’m sending you lots of love and big hugs from Canada to Switzerland and a kick in the butt to get talking to say you want HBOT.

Btw @creatr Paul knows the benefits of HBOT and I’ve offered the family to pay for it.

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You tell him Samiam! Paul, don't make me come over there and smack some sense into you. This is nothing but your greatest challenge yet. Don't give up on it! Take samiam up on her wonderful offer!

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Indeed! HBOT... HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy! Good stuff, lots of history, some incredible results... We're all praying for you, Paul! <3

Hydrogen therapy too... If they have it, you should take it! We need you here. ;)

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(Edited)

Take the opportunity to add a bit of my 2 cents.

I've read singing can help recover speech, since singing is a creative thing that is part of the other side of the brain.

Also he can rebuild his neural connectivity no manner if one is older, studies from 2018 show it!

@onceuponatime i dont know you but i love you, do not have fear of no recover give it atleast a try! training everyday body soul and mind!.

I know people in pain that are a rolemodel for me, fighting everyday! Be positive!!!

Dont give up the fight!

eat!, sing!, smoke, eat weed! or what you need!!! dont give up the fight!!
your a strong one! look all those places you have live!!!
of course you can decide to go!, i dont know if you feel pain!!
but do not have fear of no recovery!!!

STAY POSITIVE.
THE MIND IS A POWERFUL THING, its connected to the body!. And can even heal or sick you!

Keep sending positive SIGNALS to the brain and muscles!, MUSIC is the food of the soul, play motivational songs he may like that want him to sing!!!

Stay strong around him! :)

Do hope with my hearth to know more GOOD things about you @onceuponatime

(music sounds) dont give up the fight.

You Survived a stoke!!!

Heal now!!

YOU have now the chance, (it is yours)

Eat, rebuild.

Heal = build
will take more than fear = destroy

Plase stay strong! no fear!, you can do this!!! :)

LOVE = EVOLve

Evolve definition is :

intransitive verb To develop or achieve gradually.
intransitive verb To work (something) out; devise.

Eat for energy and train everyday!. LOVE you @onceuponatime!!!

:):):):):):):):):):)

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Great advice!

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(Edited)

From BEOS room on TG:

Nero:

"Hey Stan.there are certain nootropics that stimulate nerve growth factor, neurogenesis & brain-derived neurotrophic factor that can help Once with recovery. Noopept, DHA, Lions Mane mushroom, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, Phosphatidylserine, lithium ororate and some"

"all safe and affordable"

"this is a good resource :

https://nootropicsexpert.com/

"Ayuderdic medicine seems to have all the cures"
"well you know... most"

Please Look into it!!!

Nero dont have a steemit account so i share it right here!!!

Bless, Keep up the fight, why not! exit is there, fight and stay we are all here to support you and heal your recovery!!!

lets drain knowledge first before you decide to go @onceuponatime!

i add that if you are in pain, CBD oil from cannabis plants, if good to relief, me thinks!

Keep it up!!!

Power of willing moves mountains!

you have to want!!

keep positive signals!!!!

eat!, drink!, blessings!

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Hello @stan. I'm new to the blockchain. I'm a Steemit user. Although I don't know you or Paul, I can identify with his situation. The same thing happened to my mom many years ago.

Like Paul, she wanted her family to honor her wishes as she had made her life choices.

It's hard to see a family member or friend in this situation. One thing I know is that we can't control tragedies of life. We don't understand them, nor can we predict them.

As in Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

I wish both you and Paul the best.

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(Edited)

@kus-knee please let as know what Paul @onceuponatime thinks after you read him Lana's @steem-samiam comment about the HBOT (Hyper Baric Oxygene Therapy) offer! Is he still positive to try that out as he was in Greece? It should be much easier to find him in Switzerland a clinic that offers professional HBOT and has a good reputation!

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I've interracted with Paul more than a couple of times, he's hilarious and shows forth a good heart. I wish him, his friends and family strength and I hope the Lords will be done.

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(Edited)

This is dreadful to read. I wish I'd had a chance to get to know Paul @onceuponatime. I was just commenting about this with another steemian who lives in Romania. Here is what I shared.

I am 'off and on' caregiver for my niece's husband who is a quadriplegic; paralyzed from the neck down.
He DOES have some use of his arms, his hands are basically claws, but he drives his electric wheelchair and operates his computer using a pencil/stylus wrapped around his hand.
Personally, I do not want to live that life (colostomy, supra-pubic catheter, feeding tube into his stomach) but my niece (his wife) is his full time caregiver, he gets $10,000 USD PER MONTH as long as he is alive, so given their circumstances, they live pretty well.
He can speak, but he cannot eat real food, hence the feeding tube. He has a device that she loads with liquid nourishment and water a couple of times a day.He had had intestinal difficulties prior to the accident that damaged his spine.
So as a "Certified Nursing Assistant" I can see both sides of that equation.

A few months is not long enough to wait for hope and therapy to take effect @onceuponatime, if you are reading this.

Please do not give up yet.

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This is very sad to hear @stan :( @onceuponatime Please Sir, continue to fight!!! From all the interactions I've had with you online, you made it clear you were a strong and bold fighter with integrity. Show that stroke that it's messing with the wrong person because I know you have the will and power within you to destroy it. Praying for your speedy recovery and sending positive thoughts for you and your family. Will be waiting for your "I'm back" post here. Get well soon :)

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Dear @onceuponatime, You are a legend here on STEEM.
May there be a "Happily Ever After" at the end of your journey.
Thanks for all you've done to support the blockchain communities

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Dear Paul - @onceuponatime .
When I heard from my dear friend @liondani about your health issue I was really saddened. To tell you the truth I understand that this may be difficult for you and how you may be feeling right now, due to my 38 life experience in a wheelchair. If there is something I can tell you, is that life must be taken as it comes and you have to find means and ways to fight and enjoy it. Patience and prays are the mark of the wise and strong men , for this is why God make us swim in deep Waters sometimes in our life. You have to believe that this point is your turning point in your life and at this point you either lose yourself or become stronger and overcome this obstacle in front of you. The first steps are always the hardest and the most painful to take but I want you take them you will remember that moment for rest of your life, because it will mean that you have become stronger and braver. God always help those who are in need and have a good soul , so I am sure that he will help you because your soul my friend is a diamond. I will never forget you helped me the moments I needed your help. And now with this message I am the one who wants to help you by sending to you My Brightest energy and my prayers. I will wait for you in Loutraki so that we can meet again.

From Anna with love.

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(Edited)

Other than our exchanges here on steemit I only met him in a relatively big gathering about 2 years ago...

To be honest, other than a quick hi, I hesitated to talk to him cause..reasons that now seem too stupid. Even this comment I was hesitant to write...

I really dont know what to say.. His decision requires balls, that I probably wouldn't have if i was in his shoes. I just wish I have the opportunity to meet him better next time, wherever that may be..

Me and my wife send you warm thoughts from Greece :)

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(Edited)

Dear Paul
I'll give you an advice my father used to say to me every time i had doubts about things in life ...

"Have Faith on God's plans and His Divine Economy."

I didn't get it at the first time , i was yeah Ok! Whatever.. Here is how i understand it and realize it..

My Father at the age of 41 had his 1st open heart surgery, at 45 he had his 1st stroke by the age of 67 he had his 12th srtoke & every time he was fighting and coming back, yes with some little scars(*) from the tough fight but he was coming back home.

Once a doctor saw his brain scan exam and he was like :
-"This brainscan can't be yours this brain image is from at least a 140yrs+ old guy"

(His flaws ( *) after the recovery from the strokes he couldn't not speak fast or when his was very stressed he was missing the train of thought , he couldn't tinker small things and believe me he had some heavy ones as well !

At 20th of September 2010 my father had his launch and gone for his evening nap, it was the time God decide the time has come for him to move on to the Kingdom Of Heaven.

You are a fighter Paul i'v seen you only twice but from what @stan has said about your temperament you can do it.
We have to think bigger , Pinky , reprise
don't we ?

Get well soon
Lots of love
@Rouketas & @Loveisintheair

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@stan That was incredibly beautiful, thoughtful and so full of love. How lucky to have such a wonderful human being in your life. You have been truly blessed. But, I can tell you from my own experience, you only get a friend like that by being a friend, so I am sure you.

Knowing how intelligent and how he has impacted so many lives, selfishly, I wish he would reconsider as he still has that big brain of his and it still runs like a well-tuned Rolex. How many more people can he enlighten?

But this is his journey, not ours.

If you are reading this @onceuponatime, you have to know how loved you are, the mark you have made upon people. I hope you choose to be a part of all that you have created and my prayers go out to you, for you. Because coward that I am, I am not sure I could be brave enough and sure enough to do it your way, but, I will say that I am sure you have the had guidance in your choice. I still pray for a Godly intervention.

God Bless you, always.

Denise @dswigle

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Dear Stan, I feel the hurt and the sadness when reading your blog, and I at the same tim admire the strenght to do this on his own terms. I wish it could be different. Paul I hope you can read this I wish you strenght in your journey to the end, and beyond.
Britt

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Dear Stan, I feel the hurt and the sadness when reading your blog, and I at the same tim admire the strenght to do this on his own terms. I wish it could be different. Paul I hope you can read this I wish you strenght in your journey to the end, and beyond.
Britt

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Me deleite con su historia contada aqui,muy buen escrito,lo felicito y espero me visite@stan,espero por buenos votos o directo a la billetera una ayuda,soy venezolana en mala situacion economica,este pais agoniza,todos en miseria,necesito un medicamento y laboratorios y no tengo para hacermelos,espero me ayude,saludos y Dios con usted

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I could hardly believe this! A sad loss to me and all of his friends! This wise guy was always teaching me and giving me support! My heart is so sad! I wish he could come back again. But he is too brave and wise to compromise! May he be blessed and guided by his angels!

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Dear Paul,

I know you read the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” and you had been to many Tibetan ceremonies, experiencing so many sacred incidents. You know what is ahead and so you have no fear at all.

I am very grateful to all you attention, guidance and unfailing support you always shown to me, a silly blogger with some faint hope for improvement. You have opened up several educational leads to widening my horizon! I was hoping you would drop by my country one day on one of your meditative retreat or to see your teacher in Chiengmai. I so wished to talk and discuss with you so many mystical experiences you had on Tibetan meditation methods and I had some secrets I wanted to share with you!

I promise you that if you try to get well and become stronger, I will share with you my most wonderful secrets which could not be found in Tibetan texts! So, I wish you all the healing power your guardian angels are allowed to bestow upon you! Please get well as much as you could!

If there’s still hope that you could regain your strength, please accept that path and work on it!! I will be sending you my warmest thoughts and cosmic energy!

All the best!
Much love.

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Wow, this is very sad news. I would make the same choice. God Speed Brotha!

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I became a steemit member with the precious help of @onceuponatime and I can only imagine the pain he is in, now..
but I know this..we go when we decide to go.. so, you HAVE to decide you want to stick around. Please do so. You are our guru..

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(Edited)

Dear Paul,

How are you today?! I do hope you are feeling much more cheerful today. I forgot to tell you about my friend; two years ago her husband had a stoke and he list the control of one side of his body. My friend was very sad and thought it was the end. But now her husband could walk with a walking stick! I was quite amazed when my friend told me about his slow progress each month.

It took him six months of daily physical therapy to get him back to his feet! You know the wonder of Thai massage!! I think the Japanese also has pressure points’ massage. So, it’s a possibility to rehabilitate the muscles and body.

You should try your best and make the best effort before resigning from the stage! Let’s the Referee make that decision for you!

You are always a real fighter! Show yourself that you are still one of the most stubborn fighters on earth!

Thinking of you everyday!
Even if you had to travel in wheel chair, you still look very handsome and mysterious!

Please get stronger everyday!
Sending you a big hug.

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Hi! How are you today?! Dear Paul!

I hope you have begun to fight back and give it your best effort to experience that ‘mind is over matter’!

You have no idea what possibility will be opened up to you when you set yourself on positive resonance or vibrational frequency! You’ve got to do this for yourself; it’s kind of self-knowledge! The law of karma is still working! So, please try positive actions to attract good vibes!

I think you know all about this sort of things through those Tibetan ceremonies and trances. But I have very little experience with Tibetan rituals with Tibetan Buddhists in Bangkok. I still prefer less ritual and just go directly to the source of wisdom.

Please let me know when you could sit up and start to express your frustration with boredom!

Looking forwards to seeing you in a much better mood soon!

Pray, use your stubbornness in positive direction!!

Big hugs!
Missing your tricky way of laying traps for unwitting people!!

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Dear Paul,

How are you today?! I hope you don’t mind me writing to you often. Are you feeling much better today?

The energy of the full moon and planetary conjunctions have made life very life very demanding and exhausting! Look at those sad offering Chinese people and many others who had been infected with the new coronavirus! And,there was a crazy gun-man shooting at people in shopping mall in Thailand killing over 30 people with many injured victims. Life is so fragile and precious.

Please get well soon! I haven’t been to Greece yet! Perhaps,one day I could hitch hike to Greece to have some of the best ice-cream you used to boast about! Or, you could visit Thailand, going to the island with a nice resort!

I do hope you’ll find the strength to put up a good fight for yourself! You could still be very useful to so many people and other invisible beings too!

Big hugs! God bless!

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Hi! Just to wish you a fast recovery and a fighting spirit!

Cheers.

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I just read the news and I'm so devastated. I met Paul in this platform and he has been such a great inspiration! A person I admire, with so many great experiences and knowledge to share. I enjoyed our conversations here, I learned so many things from him and he always gave me food for thought. An outstanding person I will never forget!

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Hi! Paul,

I have been very busy this week! Life is getting more hectic and pressing these days! My mind has been obsessed with the news of the new coronavirus (Covid19). My situation is also in flux as I have no regular job this year and have to depend on my savings instead of regular income. The promising free lance work didn’t work out as planned.

But things happen for a reason, I have no excuses now not to start packing up and start the process of moving out of the city to the cottage in the countryside. I should have done this last year! But I was hoping for that new part time job. I am lucky to have a push to move on!

How are you feeling this week??!! Have you decided I get mad and put up a fight?!
I think you should give it a try then see what would turn out!!

If my friend’s husband could walk with a walking stick after two years’ massage, though his mouth is still crooked. I think you would stand a better chance!

The chaos in this world is no excuse for you taking a short cut out of this worldly mess!! We are all on the same boat!! So, please get up and use your hidden power to assist us weak sheeples!!

When you could travel in a few years’ time, you’ll have to visit me in the north east of Thailand! I have knowledge which could hardly be shared by normal people! You know what I mean. Alien from other galaxy like you could get what’s inside my mind very fast! Oh! Please don’t read my dirty thoughts! Keep only good vibes!

Hope you are making reasonable progress!
Be mad! Be energetic! Be well!

Much love.

All the best.

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(Edited)

Please don't upvote.

I hope its never to late to express at someone your appreciation. I just got the news today here to let my respects on the blockchain for eternity.

Hey Paul you lived your life as you wished and did the things you wanted to do. You inspired and helped lot of people without asking for anything back. You smiled and laughed you got pissed and then you calmed down you were a man of your word and a good friend. We share almost nothing in common other than our beilife that everyone shares the right to be unique.
Thank you for everything and thanks for being the person you were.

I am sure you can look down on us now and laugh with our humane problems, laugh with the struggles and the sadness because you are now in an eternal better place than this world will ever be. I am sorry I didn't get to say a goodbye in time. I hope you had a peaceful transition to the next life without pain or worries with the people that loved you the most next to you.

I hope more people would be like you. My sincere condolences to the family.

R.I.P my friend it was an honour knowing you.
I am sorry for your loss stan.

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