Just turned 70 in April. How did I make it this long
?
38 surgeries/surgical procedures, Severe arthritis throughout my spine, bulging discs, replaced left shoulder (I am left handed), and my hands can barely close.
Without pain, I would feel as if I had lost my best friend. I do believe that trying to over come the pain has kept me alive.
This has been going on since 1969 from a little place in Southeast Asia. Thanks to God I do not have my name on a wall in D.C.
My shooting has eroded, but I can still do it. Actually set up a handgun range in my back yard last year and purchased 5 new handguns (one an AK pistol) last year.
Finding ways to overcome the pain of my muscles and body and shoot is a hobby that I truly enjoy and trying to find ways to minimize/mitigate the difficulties is actually a good thing. I can concentrate and actually forget the discomfort for a few minutes.....except on those days when my shooting is horrible
.
Shooting (at least in recent years) did not cause the arthritic pain. I shoot 357 and 44 magnum quite often and the recoils of each are not a problem. Also shoot 22LR, 9mm, 40 S&W, 357 Sig and 45 acp as well as 38 Special and 44 Special. Holding the guns out in front of me in a proper (or semi) shooting stance and even when sitting can be painful at times.
The biggest pain
is with a back yard range my expenses have gone up tremendously.