What I heard on the radio, today.

[spedbug]

A recent study shows that those who smoke are a milliondybillion* times more likely to go blind due to macular degeneration in their later years. Another reason (as if we needed another) to quit smoking - especially we who like to read.

*Okay, that wasn't the exact number but I've forgotten what it was and needed to make the point that the percentage rate was very high.

Comments

[shaunesay.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a very expressive number though!

[rendiru.livejournal.com]

I think your number expressed the concept admirably.



*icon love* ROFL!

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Feel free to "steal" and use it, at will.

I love it, and will steal it

[yokospungeon.livejournal.com]

They said it was two or three times as much here. Tsk! Don't they know to sell a paper you gotta make it jazzy??!!

[reggiesgirl2.livejournal.com]

My father had macular degeneration and lost his central vision in his 70s. He read too and it was heartbreaking to see him lose that ability. I bought him every large print book I could find until finally he couldn't even read those.

One other thing that has bothered me since his death is the fact that I'm so dim-witted I didn't even think to offer to read to him. The last year of his life he just sat in his rocking chair and rocked.

He smoked, from the time he was in his early teens until he died at age 80, even after they removed half of one lung because of cancer.

Addiction sucks.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

{{{{{{{ReggiesGirl}}}}}}}

I'm sure he loved that you got him large print books. That had to have meant a lot that you even bothered. Many wouldn't.

Hugs to you

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

What Ant said.

And, just because you might not have considered this, either -some people don't like being read to. If they can't read it, themselves, they lose interest in books. An aunt of mine was that way - when her eyesight got so bad she couldn't read, even with glasses on, she poo-poohed the idea of books on tape because the "joy of reading is sitting down with a good book".

She used to sit out on the porch swing most days and just contemplate life .. and, until she had a massive stroke, she was happy with her life.

{{{{{ReggiesGirl}}}}, he knew you loved him.

[mlbish.livejournal.com]

I have heard this too, spedbug. (And I think a milliondybillion was the number I heard quoted!) As if we needed another, indeed.

*CORRECTION*

[antof9.livejournal.com]

From those of us who wuvvums those of you who smoke, the actual number was milliondybillion to the 10th power.

And I think the fine print said "cut it out now, dammit" (which of course, I could read, as I have perfect non-smoking eyesight)

Re: *CORRECTION*

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Well, la-dee-da, look at you -- too cool for school!

Re: *CORRECTION*

[antof9.livejournal.com]

yup! see -- you can be cool without smoking :)