Paying it Forward - A New Direction

[Vitolo]

Through discussion on FB, about obtaining vaporizers, I ran into a lady my own age.
A Card holding patient, who has had cancer, and a half dozen surgeries around that in the past 3 years.
Her last surgery was recent, and she wants to vaporize.
She has vaporized before.....
Her Mom has a Volcano, and before her rough financial situation she owned and LOVED a Vapir NO2.
An hour long consultation over the phone, helped me to understand her needs.
She medicates all day... and when on the road, so we arranged a Skype session to demo what she would be doing... and I gave her links to a few videos.
She will receive by mail, a donated VaporBrothers box, and she will get a portable with it.
She wants her portable to be unround, and not easily confused with an e-cig.
She asked for it to be the form factor of a deck of cards.
She does not want a tight draw. (I originally was thinking CFX, but that changed my thinking)
I am waiting for her response today which will tell me which portable to send to her with her desktop.
She gets to choose between an Odin by TopBond, or she can have the Smite by Zeus, donated by @Baron23 .
Both function in a way that she will find easy. I described the flaws and good parts of each, and she will watch many videos, and will be reading about both units right here on FC.
I check FB at intervals to see what she has decided, but she is watching vids and reading reviews before making a choice.
I like that.
Think before you decide.
I am trying to get her to join the Forum to learn and participate.
I will pop back in and tell you all what portable she has selected.
Thanks for allowing me to share!

 

[Vitolo]

I never properly thanked @mistvaporizer for his generosity in sending a new unit to show patients, and perhaps one of these patients will be taking one of these home soon.
Thanks for caring and for spreading the knowledge!

 

[Vitolo]

We had a number of visits since my last post.
Sometimes it is hard to get to this thread and spell out all that has happened, but I love to share moments that make Patty and my consciences feel like we have done something really right.
Yesterday, we got to visit with a patient that has been a friend for a number of years..
He has a myriad of health conditions that qualify him as a patient, and things go sometimes from bad to worse for him.
He had a damaged spine, which prevents him from turning his head in either direction.
He drives anyway, and has had a few fender benders..... one of which hurt his lower spine a few years ago.
He has leg issues, one of which are growths behind the patella in the knee, that have been removed twice, and came back, and found to be cancerous.
Now he is in chemo for the Cancerous tissue in his knees.
His Pain was what he was always treated for, and what I tried to help with.
Now like me his worst enemy has become Nausea, after each chemo session.
He has the tools for medicating, but has been using makeshift pieces because he did not want to "bother" us ... he thought we had enough on our plate trying to recover from the Police action of a couple years ago..
He came over yesterday, and left with a collection of replacement parts for his Solo, E-cig type pen, his wax pen, and his SSV.
He got:

• 2 solo stems -one bent and one straight
• screens for same.
• Battery for his e-cig
• new atomizers for his Dabbler
• New hose for SSV
• Miniwand from Vapor Warehouse for his SSV (his preferred wand).
• Some Candy that I eat when I get sick, to help with his Nausea.
• Patty brought in a few Armenian Cucumbers and Bok Choy for him to bring home.

And he left with a big smile.
More people that feel unwell need to be given a reason to smile.
Seeing them smile, makes me breath easier.
Patty loves sharing her vegetables.
We both slept well last night.
Thanks for reading~

 

[Vitolo]

Any of you that have read about my attempts to help a young man afflicted in the same way as myself.....
will recall the story of Sammy.
The last I posted was...

Today... Friday We go to a weekly stay hotel to see Sammy. We have gotten him into a room that has a bed the same height as his wheelchair, so he can work further on transferring.
He will sign a paper making us authorized representatives, and we will then go get his Bank statement. After that we will hand deliver the statements and an application I have filled out for him to be accepted on Arizona's Long Term Care System, so he can be helped financially to get better housing, and the end goal of that as you know is to get Sammy an MMJ card.

So at this point after a dozen calls a day for two months, to Adult Protective Services, and to ALTECS (Arizona Long Term Care for disabled) I was able to establish a rapport with various case workers and managers, as well as Social workers and Independent Living Facilities....
And also have gotten Sammy's approval (on paper) to be his authorized representative.
The appropriate authorities have visited Sammy in person, and correct laws enforced, and Sammy's expenses are now paid for life... more than Patty and I live on by far.
"I am envious", I told him.
"You've got it made in the shade!"
He was in wonder that he had such fortune.
I reminded him about getting him a medical Marijuana Card.
The "new" Sammy looked at me soberly and said...
"One step at a time Vitocelli" (pronounced vee-tuh-chell-ee)
"I need to get into therapy and moving again.. it's gonna take me a few months"

Sammy is on his way.
I just wanted to catch you all up on a story I began here a while back, and let all know that once in a while the system works.
I will continue this particular tale when Sammy has a card and learns to vaporize "our medicine".
P.S.....
Thanks @grokit for the whip/wand, and thanks to other anonymous donor for the surprise package....
The Grizzly Guru (new Vaporizer) has a home for tomorrow... July 4th!.

 

[Baron23]

Through discussion on FB, about obtaining vaporizers, I ran into a lady my own age.
A Card holding patient, who has had cancer, and a half dozen surgeries around that in the past 3 years.
Her last surgery was recent, and she wants to vaporize.
She has vaporized before.....
Her Mom has a Volcano, and before her rough financial situation she owned and LOVED a Vapir NO2.
An hour long consultation over the phone, helped me to understand her needs.
She medicates all day... and when on the road, so we arranged a Skype session to demo what she would be doing... and I gave her links to a few videos.
She will receive by mail, a donated VaporBrothers box, and she will get a portable with it.
She wants her portable to be unround, and not easily confused with an e-cig.
She asked for it to be the form factor of a deck of cards.
She does not want a tight draw. (I originally was thinking CFX, but that changed my thinking)
I am waiting for her response today which will tell me which portable to send to her with her desktop.
She gets to choose between an Odin by TopBond, or she can have the Smite by Zeus, donated by @Baron23 .
Both function in a way that she will find easy. I described the flaws and good parts of each, and she will watch many videos, and will be reading about both units right here on FC.
I check FB at intervals to see what she has decided, but she is watching vids and reading reviews before making a choice.
I like that.
Think before you decide.
I am trying to get her to join the Forum to learn and participate.
I will pop back in and tell you all what portable she has selected.
Thanks for allowing me to share!

Just curious, Vito...which did she chose, the Odin or the Smite? I am very glad that the Smite either has, or will, find a home with a patient and provide needed help. (PS - for those that don't know, the Smite is just a rebranded Flower Mate Pro...decent mid-range conduction vape, very easy to use).

Cheers

 

[Vitolo]

She chose the Odin for The Vibration.
The Smite she was offered was a recent donation.... a 2nd Zeus.
The Smite that you sent has been given the nickname "Baron" after you, by the owner has read posts here on FC... and is aware of his benefactor.
Burdened with crippling arthritis, the Smite's straightforward design was what he wanted.
@Baron23 .... thanks for remembering, and checking!

 

[Baron23]

She chose the Odin for The Vibration.
The Smite she was offered was a recent donation.... a 2nd Zeus.
The Smite that you sent has been given the nickname "Baron" after you, by the owner has read posts here on FC... and is aware of his benefactor.
Burdened with crippling arthritis, the Smite's straightforward design was what he wanted.
@Baron23 .... thanks for remembering, and checking!

Thanks Vito...you truly do the good work. Glad the Smite found a home and glad that the lady found a vape that suited her. All good, mate.

Do you still have a wish list out there in the classifieds (I should just look, yeah LOL).

Best to you and Patti.

 

[Vitolo]

A Grizzly Guru Vaporizer came my way.
This unit found a home faster than many... as I have a gal who has been wanting a glass mouthpiece... and and likes high temps.
The Grizzly has an all glass vapor path... has wax cart, and e-juice cart.
All 3 of this gal's favorite features in one.
During testing, I found that I needed to bump the temperature to the top to get quality vapor.
The patient loved that about it!
Less to think about... just always leave it at the top, she said.
We tested it together and it was a match!
Thank you to the anonymous donor, for a less than commonly seen Vaporizer (for me it was a first time)... for a unique gal!
She sends love and I send thanks.

 

[Vitolo]

A couple of things going on in these parts.....
perhaps enough to warm some hearts.
Patients helped, donations made.
Very good party... I am glad I stayed!​

Only Wednesday and the week has been full to the brim (as far as warm fuzzies go).
I want to give a shout-out and deep thanks to @steama for the donation of a much sought after item... an SSV. Not only a Standard with Hand Held Wand ( the preferred configuration for 90% of local patients), but set up with the @DDave Mod and extras. new Hands free device for those wanting to "connect" their Standard Set-up to hands free usage.
Custom perfectly sized BackPack too!.
I have 5 patients on waiting list for this vape, and their requests all came in the same week.
Propriety dictates first request chronologically take precedence, however this becomes more complex.
I have to think of needs.
3 of the 5 have vaporizers, but want an SSV.
2 have portables but asked for an SSV.
I am going to have to choose one of the two that has a portable.....
My reasoning:
1- He had an SSV but lost it during moves that were thrust upon him due to Poverty level living combined with Chemotherapy.
2- He accepted a portable from me because his living condition was uncertain and he was living in a car part time.
3- He has emailed me a number of times over this year asking if there was an SSV, and upon learning there was not, he said.... "Help your other Patients with the vapes you get.... I will use the Pax you gave me until an SSV is around and available..
4- I did not mention that this survivor was not only a cancer survivor, but like me a Survivor of TBI.
This means that he also has a Traumatic Brain Injury.... and as I know all too well change hurts.
Missing pieces of your life hurts.
Replaced pieces of parts of one's life that are missing bring closure.
THIS is the patient with greatest need for this SSV.
Thanks @steama for helping me provide closure here....
I get to play the part of Hero, only because of your generosity.
You are the real Hero here, though!

Next:
Facebook made a demand on my account "MMJ Vaporist" that I use a real persons name.
I have hundreds of friends on FB, and so I had to send all a notice of the change.
I picked a name that included MMJ.
I invented Max Milton Johnson as a temporary name, while I thought of how to circumvent using my real name.
Turns out I must now leave "Max Milton Johnson" as my identity for 60 days.
HOWEVER... the notice to my friend list did bring a patient out of the woodwork.
She asked me what I did with Vaporizers, and how could she acquire one.
I asked of her needs.
Having lost 1/3 of her colon to diverticular surgeries as I did, I sympathized and related deeply.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 GERDs

Spoiler: Level 4 GERD

Stage 4: Reflux induced precancerous lesions or esophageal cancer
Stage 4 is the result of many years of untreated severe reflux. 10% of patients with long-term GERD progress to stage 4. They develop a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus may progress to cancer if untreated. There are different modalities of treatment for Barrett’s esophagus aimed at preventing progression to cancer. Close follow up and management by a reflux expert is highly recommended.

Next, her Doctor told her they found pre-cancerous cells in her lungs.
He told her she must stop smoking MMJ immediately, or her time would be short between THAT visit and a more devastating diagnosis. She does not use tobacco.
I met her for fear of strangers coming to our all too recently invaded home, at the Safeway Parking Lot.
I brought her two vaporizers that fit her lifestyle and needs.
She received for the road, and around the house an original Sutra vape (the thin small herbal one, with one temp setting). She was in love with the unit as she is a low temp vaporist with a preference for a high flavor profile.
Next was the important part.
She got a Vapor Brothers original box from @vaporbrothers
This donated unit went through one hospice home, and was returned after the patient passed.
Using a pile of ABV, and a cigarette lighter transformer, I taught her correct usage at the tailgate of the 1996 Explorer.
She cried.
I cried a little bit too.
She had the unit for 24 hours, and called me to say: "You saved my life. I have not smoked in one full day, and I see no reason why I ever will again."
She said I was a kind person, and that made me feel like a good person.
Life is good.

Spoiler: An addendum... a thought from a few years back.

One member of a local forum, was given an MFLB, and a set of a 1/2 dozen batteries to last him a while.
He did not thank me.... but rather wrote an indecent email to me.
his words were:
"Thank you for the free Vaporizer and meds. Please do not contact me again. While you helped me a great deal, I believe that you do good deeds for the reason of social approbation, and I can not be in communication with such a person as you".
I looked up the term.
It meant that I do things for people for acceptance.
I responded to him saying:
"why does it matter to you, if I do things to be accepted or because I just want to help... either way I am devoting my time, and obtaining resources, and freely sharing them with those in need."
His response was " One way makes you a Saint, and the other makes you the Devil.... and my dreams told me you were the latter."
Lesson learned....
Do not take the words of patients in pain to heart.
Pain makes you say things and interpret motives with a jaundiced eye.
Keep on keeping on...
and spread the love no matter what the skeptics say!

Thanks for letting me share the afternoons recollections.
I send love to all of you!

 

[DDave]

but set up with the @DDave Mod and extras.

This act of compassion will not go unmatched.

@Vitolo , PM me your shipping address. I'd like to send over a box full of goodies for the recipient of the SSV.


Hopefully this starts a wave of compassion.... and hope for the other manufacturers, accessory makers, etc will follow.

Why?

When I take my family out for a hike, we always bring one extra heavy duty shopping bag with handles.
And along the way, I pick up trash on the trail.
Left the kids scratching their heads...
So I answer their questions with a question... "Is there any rule that says I can't leave this place in better condition than I found it?"

Same thing applies to vaping. When I leave this place, it will be in better condition than I found it... And it will have happened at a rate of one person at a time.

 

[Vitolo]

Sad news, and glad news.
@Amoreena donated an Ascent a while back.
It served it's owner well.
Sadly the family sent the unit back to me, thanking me, and PIF donor for making
the end go smoother for the patient.
Glad news is that the unit has already found a home with an Arthritic patient that can benefit
from Ascent's system.
The presentation will be tomorrow.
Thanks to all of you for letting me share the "day to day" of Vape sharing!
I see @Amoreena is an HerbalAire fan... Always a dound choice!
@herbalaire ...Your units have been placed in a half dozen homes of local terminally ill and Chronically ill patients.
Kudos for a solid unit with great versatility for patient use.
I was sad when I gave my personal unit to a patient, but seeing them joyous was the reward.

 

[Vitolo]

I want to thank @fluffhead for the generous donation of what turns out to be a state of the art, very fine portable called the Airvape XS.
He had it payed forward to him, by using the app Strain Print from http://strainprint.ca
It seems that when you use the app, you build up points, and if you are a regular vaporist, then you build up many points.
@fluffhead had this vape in a very short time by using that system, and he in turn paid it Forward to our local low income chronically ill patients.
I get the pleasure of testing it out in the meanwhile, and I like it!
Watch for a video.. I will get that done soon!

 

[vaporbrothers]

Thank you @Vitolo that air vape seems perfect, says it's designed in Venice where we came from. So many OG's come from authentic places like Venice Beach!

That was a sad but extremely touching story of the woman you donated to in hospice. Remember that any old vaporizer (built since 2004) can be refurbished by us... I also have two vaporizers a disabled veteran donated back to me, intending for me to give to other veterans. Been needing to message you, might as well post

 

[Baron23]

I want to thank @fluffhead for the generous donation of what turns out to be a state of the art, very fine portable called the Airvape XS.
He had it payed forward to him, by using the app Strain Print from http://strainprint.ca
It seems that when you use the app, you build up points, and if you are a regular vaporist, then you build up many points.
@fluffhead had this vape in a very short time by using that system, and he in turn paid it Forward to our local low income chronically ill patients.
I get the pleasure of testing it out in the meanwhile, and I like it!
Watch for a video.. I will get that done soon!

I like the XS. Very nice donation which will make somebody happy, I'm sure.

 

[Vitolo]

Thank you @Vitolo that air vape seems perfect, says it's designed in Venice where we came from. So many OG's come from authentic places like Venice Beach!

Nice to know that @vaporbrothers is in touch with local developments in the place of his origin (thanks, Linus!)

I like the XS. Very nice donation which will make somebody happy, I'm sure

The XS was placed today.
It was brand new, and about the best tasting portable I have used.
The flavor was clean, and extraction complete.... It beckoned for me to keep it, but it was so good, I had to pass it on.
I gave the Airvape to a veteran of US military service, that served our country and then was told by his VA doctor that he had a choice....
Pain meds whenever he has an issue, or retain his card.
The Veteran chose to keep his card.
The Doctor that gave this ultimatum is now under review.
The patient is an American Hero in my eyes, and while not totally poor, he lives close to the vest pocket.... and has been saving for a vaporizer for 2 years, before we were introduced.
Each time the funds were close to the cost of a quality unit, an emergency came up.
I taught him, and then gave him the Airvape... because if you love something, and pass it on to a person in greater need, it is a better gift.
One day there may be another Airvape in my future!
As always... thanks for reading!

 

[Vitolo]

Please allow me to take this time to thank an anonymous donor from the forum for the huge generosity that they have shown.
$100 was sent to provide terminally and chronically ill local patients with consumable goods for their vaporizers.
The funds are now earmarked for aqcquisition of Batteries, Butane, glass, screens, hemp fiber and more.
I humbly thank you for this boost to our program.

 

[Vitolo]

Time to send thanks to @Oregonglassblower for the donation of glass adapters to be used by a number of patients in need.
Really high quality stuff... guys, check out http://oregonglassblower.com/

 

[Vitolo]

The past 48 hours has seen the most patient contact in a long while.
This combined with our new 85 pound German Shepherd Dog, has proved challenging.
His training tells him that nobody from "outside" is good.
The worst mistake one could make is to offer a treat.
Each new visitor mus t go through a series of 3 visits before they can be called "friend".
Our visitors have not minded, and so seeing patients was easy for past 2 days.
This time I will tell which vapes went out first.
In a sweep of half a dozen visits, we provided:

• 2 Evolve Plus units
• 1 Haze Dual V2.5
• 1 Haaze Dual V3
• 2 XMax V2 Pros,
• 1 Silver Surfer (standard HC w/hand held wand) and aroma-top
  
• A Guerrilla Vape (by Viva La Vape)

Stories of the patients we saw will follow. Much to catch up with, as it was a whirlwind to us!

 

[Vitolo]

Again, apologies all around for not having had the time to share stories of our most recent work.
Yesterday alone, we delivered:

• a Zeuss Smite
• A Silver Surfer
• a Boundless CF
• a Haze V3
• A Davinci Ascent
• a MFLB
• 4 Canva Wax pens

A few posts back I spoke of Sammy.
News on Sammy:
We have him in a long term care facility now. I am his authorized Representative, and I pay the facility his "share of cost".
We are in regular contact with them, and we are seeing to it that he gets regular Physical and Occupational therapy.
He should be there for a few more months, then get moved to a rehab wing, followed by an assited living apartment.... after which he will be able to get an apartment again, and we will go get Sammy his MMJ Card.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
A long while back, I told of a friend (actually I spoke of him years ago!)
He had cancer in his leg, and knee and had gone through MANY surgeries.
I told of his struggle, and how he fought.
Today we got to visit for the 1st time in about 2 years.
During the time we did not visit, (our arrest and probation time separated us) he went for one last surgery.... due to repeated and recurring infections.
He awoke from the surgery without his leg!
Good news is that they gave him full choice of a prosthetic leg, and he chose a state of the art $150,000 prosthesis. He must wait for another fitting before using it again, as there is shrinkage of his muscles around the remaining part of his upper thigh.
Today during our visit we learned that during the time he was in and out of the hospital, his tools went missing .... this happens when others store your possessions in your absence, and I understand that fully.
We brought him an Extreme Q to work with as a desktop, and a Boundless CFX to use as a portable.
It feels good to help someone a second time, in an entirely new set of circumstances.
It was our privilege to visit him and teach him about his newest tools.
It is also a privilege to share the recent events with you!
Thanks for reading.

 

[Da_Jackster]

That's always so awesome and inspiring to read! Keep up the good work!

 

[Vitolo]

I want to thank one of you for the 3 new units that have been donated.
They were donated by our own @VCBud for the low income patients. These were units that Bud has had in his possession that were originally sent to him from each respective company.
Thanks, Bud!

1. The Flowermate SwiftPro
   
2. The Boundless CFC
3. The FlytLab "L!ft"

You can read my thoughts on the L!ft at http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/flylab-lift-vaporizer.24130/#post-1172934 in it's thread.
It will go today to a visually impaired woman that spends little time at home, and needed a foolproof portable.
The lift with it's single large button makes this the ideal unit for a gal with low vision.
The way it comes apart is easy also.
A ride is bringing her here today... in a short time.
I know this will be a good placement!

 

[VCBud]

Keep up the great work my friend!

 

[Vitolo]

I have procured a second L!ft vaporizer.
The second one works as well as the first.
This one will go to a patient that has been diagnosed with Glaucoma.
He will get the unit today.
The L!ft is a wonderful tool!
Thanks @VCBud for introducing me to this device.

 

[Baron23]

Keep up the great work my friend!

Way to go, Bud. Help Vito, help a medical patient in need, and I bet you made your wife happy by getting rid of some of the vape clutter in your house! hahaha

 

[Vitolo]

I realize I won't be able to do what I do forever.
Meeting people in public is hard, and the trauma of having people in our home has remained a scary thing.
I grow older and the complications from my TBI and Spasticity... double vision is progressively getting worse... etc.
I will always try, though!
I got to place the Vaporizer Donation of my dreams to someone today,
This makes me feel great about what we do, and about my own place in this world.
The story today is about a young girl.
The 16 year old girl I was honored to help is called Yazy ....
She has a life threatening condition ... she was born blind and has cerebral palsy along with Scoliosis. And two years ago her parents almost lost her to opioids ...but cannabis gave them more time with her.
She recently had Spinal surgery as well.
She uses a seeing eye cane and human guide. She is still waiting on insurance to approve her wheelchair as she doesn't have long distance strength.
She is special needs child, and is a legal medical marijuana patient for now over 1 year.
She one out of 176 kids that carries a legal card to consume cannabis.
In that one year they have seen a remarkable improvement in her health. And almost immediate improvement in several areas such as pain management, nausea control & increased appetite.
Also, the young lady was born at 23 weeks gestational age, completely blind and with cerebral palsy. She lived her life up until a few years ago in fairly good health, all things considered. But after complications due to a spinal fusion surgery, she developed life threatening SMA Syndrome.

Spoiler: SMA Syndrome

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a digestive condition that occurs when the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) is compressed between two arteries (the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery). This compression causes partial or complete blockage of the duodenum.

None of the pharmaceuticals worked. So her desperate mother researched "natural solutions" and found juicing cannabis article which led them to trying the plant.
Because of cannabis the young patient was able to complete her make a wish to meet Justin Bieber last year!
In addition to the numerous health improvements they've witnessed, the girl is now completely pharmaceutical free! Which means no more antidepressant or anxiety medication. Yazy is able to live a more normal life because of cannabis.
The video you are about to see is about 2 children… Yazy is one of the 2 kids spoken of in this video
You will know which child she is by watching.

The Unit we decided on for Yazy was the Odin by TopBond. This unit was chosen, because of the vibration aspect, which will let Yazy know when the unit is ready to go!
As always, thank you all for reading.