Two Arms and a Head: The Death of a Newly Paraplegic Philosopher

Cerpin Taxt · 08-22-2011, 03:14 PM

Two Arms and a Head: The Death of a Newly Paraplegic Philosopher

A short book written by a man named Clayton Atreus (Clayton W. Schwartz) justifying, and ending with, his suicide.

The book was written about a year after becoming paraplegic following a motorcycle accident. He goes into great detail about how his life had changed for the worse, reflecting on social and personal issues surrounding paraplegia while waxing philosophical about life with an almost biting forwardness.

I still haven't read it all, but it is some very gripping stuff. I figured there are some Yahookans that could go for some heavy reading... some words to help appreciate and reflect on the life you've got.

deadhead94 · 08-22-2011, 03:19 PM

That's a year longer than I'd last. If I lost the ability to walk, I would IV a very large dose of heroin ASAP.

my_scatterheart · 08-22-2011, 03:26 PM

Thanks. Definitely gonna check it out.

~1~ · 08-22-2011, 03:26 PM

Watched 'You Don't Know Jack' yesterday, not quite the same thing I'm sure but really it comes down to determining your own fate...

Cerpin Taxt · 08-22-2011, 04:30 PM

While looking for more information on him I stumbled on a bike-riding forum on which he was documenting the trip which ultimately ended with his accident:

Seattle to Argentina on a KLR650 - ADVrider

From another thread, about 4 months after the accident:

"School is a grind, and I'm doing pretty poorly, but thanks for asking. Kind of fucked up in the head over being paralyzed, and not really seeing the point in life just now. Hey- I've always shot straight with you guys. You guys better be careful, because I'll tell you this- you cannot even get close to comprehending the hell of being injured like I am. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Haha, but life is still funny, like when I fall off of my wheelchair or shit / piss my pants or whatever. The other day, I pissed myself right in front of one of the higher-ups at the law school. It was awesome! Forget, burly adventurousness, hot women, and the wind in my hair- diapers, KY Jelly, and catheters is the life for me, baby!

Ride carefully, brothers. Clayton"

I've still only jumped around the book reading a chapter here and there, but this is still very compelling.

**SageTree** · 08-23-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerpin Taxt

Two Arms and a Head: The Death of a Newly Paraplegic Philosopher

A short book written by a man named Clayton Atreus (Clayton W. Schwartz) justifying, and ending with, his suicide.

The book was written about a year after becoming paraplegic following a motorcycle accident. He goes into great detail about how his life had changed for the worse, reflecting on social and personal issues surrounding paraplegia while waxing philosophical about life with an almost biting forwardness.

I still haven't read it all, but it is some very gripping stuff. I figured there are some Yahookans that could go for some heavy reading... some words to help appreciate and reflect on the life you've got.

On the spectrum of Hopeful to Cynical, where would you place this book?
Or does it sort of teeter back and forth between inspiring revelations and heart breaking personal reflections?

Thanks man.

Mescalito · 08-23-2011, 07:11 AM

You reminded me of this...

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4 - YouTube

M

Cerpin Taxt · 08-23-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageTree

On the spectrum of Hopeful to Cynical, where would you place this book?
Or does it sort of teeter back and forth between inspiring revelations and heart breaking personal reflections?

Thanks man.

The cynicism and the heart-breaking personal reflections are there, but he does show self-awareness with regards to why his writing style is the way it is and how he's getting his message across. The revelations more or less reflect certain issues in which his injury gave him the clarity to work with.

With the book coming from a man cut down in his prime and prefacing his own suicide, the overall tone does not show much hope. But he does come off as very intelligent, and his philosophical musings given his situation seem to have a different kind of weight to them.

I wouldn't suggest reading it if you don't want to ruin a good mood, but it is a kind of inside look into an aspect of humanity you rarely get to see.

P.S. I hope all is well and your trip went swimmingly, I haven't been around much as of late but you know how this Hotel California we call Yahooka works

**SageTree** · 08-23-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerpin Taxt

The cynicism and the heart-breaking personal reflections are there, but he does show self-awareness with regards to why his writing style is the way it is and how he's getting his message across. The revelations more or less reflect certain issues in which his injury gave him the clarity to work with.

With the book coming from a man cut down in his prime and prefacing his own suicide, the overall tone does not show much hope. But he does come off as very intelligent, and his philosophical musings given his situation seem to have a different kind of weight to them.

I wouldn't suggest reading it if you don't want to ruin a good mood, but it is a kind of inside look into an aspect of humanity you rarely get to see.

P.S. I hope all is well and your trip went swimmingly, I haven't been around much as of late but you know how this Hotel California we call Yahooka works

Cool man... I don't mind reading that sort of stuff at all... I just wondered if I was going to feel like I learned something at the end, or if I'd need to start injecting anti-depression drugs immediately after....

The trip was good, the wedding was GREAT! Hope you're enjoying your summer as well.

Cerpin Taxt · 08-24-2011, 10:01 PM

http://worldofseeds.biz/2011/08/22/t...c-philosopher/

...Huh??

Xil · 08-24-2011, 10:22 PM

very odd

kamikazi89 · 08-25-2011, 10:11 PM

meh, only a year,..&Ph.d's take ?

great read..i'd recommend this to any caregiver

top 5 suicide note all time.....

easy

08-22-2011, 03:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cerpin Taxt Yahookan Zealot Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 7,213 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 843 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,011 Posts	Two Arms and a Head: The Death of a Newly Paraplegic Philosopher Two Arms and a Head: The Death of a Newly Paraplegic Philosopher A short book written by a man named Clayton Atreus (Clayton W. Schwartz) justifying, and ending with, his suicide. The book was written about a year after becoming paraplegic following a motorcycle accident. He goes into great detail about how his life had changed for the worse, reflecting on social and personal issues surrounding paraplegia while waxing philosophical about life with an almost biting forwardness. I still haven't read it all, but it is some very gripping stuff. I figured there are some Yahookans that could go for some heavy reading... some words to help appreciate and reflect on the life you've got. __________________ Step Back. Evaluate. Recognize. "All memory is really a form of regurgitation of undigested experience." -Alan Watts Last edited by Cerpin Taxt; 08-22-2011 at 04:32 PM.

08-22-2011, 03:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
my_scatterheart Today, I am alive. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 3,565 Thanks: 1,486 Thanked 3,328 Times in 1,870 Posts	Thanks. Definitely gonna check it out. __________________ Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

08-22-2011, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
~1~ Successful Failure Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: where 'they' can't see. Posts: 10,925 Thanks: 466 Thanked 1,581 Times in 925 Posts	Watched 'You Don't Know Jack' yesterday, not quite the same thing I'm sure but really it comes down to determining your own fate... __________________ "And those who are successful, be always on your guard. Success walks hand in hand with failure, along Hollywood Boulevard" Ray Davies --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Click Here Asshole

08-22-2011, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cerpin Taxt Yahookan Zealot Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 7,213 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 843 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,011 Posts	While looking for more information on him I stumbled on a bike-riding forum on which he was documenting the trip which ultimately ended with his accident: Seattle to Argentina on a KLR650 - ADVrider From another thread, about 4 months after the accident: "School is a grind, and I'm doing pretty poorly, but thanks for asking. Kind of fucked up in the head over being paralyzed, and not really seeing the point in life just now. Hey- I've always shot straight with you guys. You guys better be careful, because I'll tell you this- you cannot even get close to comprehending the hell of being injured like I am. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Haha, but life is still funny, like when I fall off of my wheelchair or shit / piss my pants or whatever. The other day, I pissed myself right in front of one of the higher-ups at the law school. It was awesome! Forget, burly adventurousness, hot women, and the wind in my hair- diapers, KY Jelly, and catheters is the life for me, baby! Ride carefully, brothers. Clayton" I've still only jumped around the book reading a chapter here and there, but this is still very compelling. __________________ Step Back. Evaluate. Recognize. "All memory is really a form of regurgitation of undigested experience." -Alan Watts

08-24-2011, 10:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cerpin Taxt Yahookan Zealot Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 7,213 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 843 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,011 Posts	http://worldofseeds.biz/2011/08/22/t...c-philosopher/ ...Huh?? __________________ Step Back. Evaluate. Recognize. "All memory is really a form of regurgitation of undigested experience." -Alan Watts

08-23-2011, 07:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mescalito Oneironaut Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 6,295 Thanks: 868 Thanked 909 Times in 446 Posts	You reminded me of this... LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4 - YouTube M

08-24-2011, 10:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
Xil OD'ing on sobriety Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mizzura Posts: 3,334 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 1,158 Times in 717 Posts	very odd __________________ "we'll show these fascists what a couple of hillbillies can do"

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