JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Mike Caro

Hi Folks! To add my personal perspective on Mike and his condition, please consider this:

I've worked in -7 degree weather while sitting on an open snow removal tractor for 12 hours off and on, having to go into a heated truck so not to die. I've watched shows about Navy Seals, which of course is WAY tougher and demanding than if I had spent a month on that tractor.

Mike, with his already messed up balance issue, and knowing how "That Chair" had him feel after just three seconds of spinning in a blacked out room, (ever had a full blown panic attack?), related to the toughness and courage in the face of extreme fear and nasty spinning sensations that I saw Seals go through. Most QUIT, like Mike fought against doing that second time on "That Chair"!

It was hours he was down on that second floor. They had about four student girls trying to comfort him with voice and a hand patting or hold, so he could get through maybe one of those spinning and jolting tests. Mike went through about 13 of them! Hours! I can not imagine me going though more than minute on "That Chair" with my past history of some light-headedness and cured panic attacks. Even with being cured of those attacks, I would NOT go in "that Chair" knowing how it would feel.

I looked at Mike afterward,,(about 3 and half hours after last seeing him), and thought I was looking at someone who came from just a long dance. He was smiling. Weak and confused, But smiling still. ??? HOW can anyone with his condition go through "That", and still come out smiling?

He promised himself and me that he would NEVER go in "That Chair" again. But he HAD to and DID. Amazing to knowingly put himself in such torturous event. Imagine having a panic attack while being buried alive, and also having that coffin spinning. Yeah,,,,like that. He sat down knowing what he would go through. (About 3 hours worth of being tortured). I've seen that same determination though in his music time, especially with others music.

The doctor and girls were happy that he lasted SO LONG, so as they could try to help him by coming up with a diagnosis. They were as if they knew Mike all his life and really wanted to help him if no one else ever! Amazing people. University doctors and their students have TIME to spend with hurting people. They are not in some office with you for a half hour and then say,,,,,OK,,,sorry,,,,NEXT!

I've seen my mom suffer with Vertigo. My wife had it for a couple of weeks. Wow,,,has to be one of the worse feelings a human can experience. They were destroyed in every mental sense of the word. So, to have that condition on top of his already nasty 15 year on going one has to have Mike feeling extremely bad, mad, etc. So, what does he do? He continues to care about others here. Who would go through all that he and I explained? (And it's worse OF COURSE than just knowing about it). Who would come out smiling when having no strength from being mentally tortured for hours when having a condition that would have most run away from "That Chair" in the first place from already being in one before? Then after that, who would think of others and really feel sorrow for THEM? I've seen his sincere ways that are 100% real and constant. I am humbled by his caring, love, courage and passion for people and music. It seems that finally he found a doctor that may be of the same character.

Hope so.

Mike Caro is a JPF treasure. For those that get his help in anyway here, know that you were being helped by someone that puts every ounce of effort and love an caring in YOUR music for YOU. It makes him feel good too of course, so as long as he can do music for others, please do take the time to talk with Mike about your music and actions concerning music. You would have a very special person helping you!

Lucky JPF for having Mike Caro.

Get WELL, Mike! Hope that Vertigo goes away, but is a good clue for Dr. Gonzales and his staff to build their diagnostic case on.