My Journey

I'm not Handicapped, I'm Handicapable.
(and no i didnt get that from due date lol)

I left home and drove from nj to california in search of an independent life and safe access to my medicine* so i can live. It's been an interesting journey, lots of ups, lots of downs, and even though I am now weaker than ever...nothing will ever stop me from living my dream, regardless of how long I get to live.

Life is too precious and short to waste time. And I'm Ready.

The three videos below are before and after i left nj, an interview with the Washington Post during my road trip, some audition, and one other one hahaha idk i didnt set up the web site, im kinda lost there :P below that are blog entries! thank you!

Feel free to contact me at all times: mike@mikeywheels.com


Help to save Mikey's life

As you know, Mikey has always been able to smile through the pain, no matter what, until recently. The pain in his stomach is now worse than ever and has led to an inability to eat, causing rapid weight loss. At 6'1", he's a meager 75 lbs and dropping fast. It's getting more difficult for Mikey to smile through the pain and fear.

One of the only places where Mikey can get help is the MAYO clinic in Minnesota. There, a team of specialized doctors will work together to figure out how his illnesses affect each other and can be treated to restore health and balance to his body so he can keep living his incredible life.

All of this obviously comes with a large amount of costs, which can only be covered with the help and donations of as many people as possible – even if it's just a dollar. Please click on one of the two following links to access the crowd funding campaigns that will help Mikey get better. Thank you!











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my body is hurtin. much use = much weaker. I napped hard today, hopefully i'll get a good night's rest (hopefully night two with no sleepy time meds, trying to keep my body as healthy as possible!).

I wish i had more free time, the only unfortunate part about the website or facebook stuff is that it all keeps me at a computer and that keeps me inside... which is kinda the opposite of how i usually live my life. I will find a groove. So many things still need to fall into place, i still have much to learn. Just know that everyone's support is keeping me together. I have recieved some of the most beautiful messages and emails ever, i don't think anyone on the planet could be luckier than me =)

Nobody is alone, love is all around

Love,
and Peace....everywhere ( this whole planet is filled with people just like you and me )

~mike
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Today was a Great day. I am just finding myself slow down now, and i still have medication to take. I'm behind on emails and facebook messages, however its pretty hard to drive around and type at the same time! Please understand, my wheels were made for rollin ;)

Saw some old friends today, and made some new ones too!!!!! (facebook is only half the link till its personal) ANNNND on thursday im going to palm springs.....why?... because of a girl :) and i looked for this girl for 16 years (she stole my heart in indonesia) and I found her!!! thanks to myspace of course, haha! I haven't seen her in 19 years, and now thanks to a little determination, reuinion time baby!

Today was also a great day for New Jersey, congratulations!!! Now its time for the big boys to listen up and learn too ( i mean YOU feds)... im holding Obama to his word.

im so beat, and have an early wake up!

fingers fALLing off...

I LOVE YOU!!!!
~Mike
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i have finally arrived back in warmer temperatures. My hands are so done for today, i had an amazing weekend, i have never felt more love in my life. I was honored far more than I deserve!!! considering I was there to honor the Graduates on their accomplishment(s) and those to follow! Im just a regular roller dude, and im extremely lucky to have my life, its incredible. I hope i didnt ramble!!! :/

Speaking in front of anyone is a new experience for me. Thanks to Mellisa (amazing friend from Bergen Community College) i was given that Honor as the inspirational speaker...what im not sure the school or the graduates may all know, is that it is them who inspire me. Everyone who puts forth an effort inspires me, and those who dont, motivate me. I truly hope every Graduate that night reaches every dream they have, because everything is possible.

problems with the flight happened, as well as the wheelchair, i will update on it all tomorrow, for now i need rest, and some chicken noodle soup :)

I Love you all!
thank you for making life beautiful for me

~Mike
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i have been a terrible blogger, i know, i suck! :/ literally so many things have happened in the last 72 hours, both good and bad, and i have barely found time to eat. i am in the process of slowing down, and trying to get ready for flyin home (Bergen Community College paid for me to fly out. Thank you!! im broke haha) to speak there at 7PM on friday. I am trying my best to keep in touch with everyone its just difficult unless they are right in front of me..ya know? in person. That is where its most easy, because its in the moment. that is what I truly love. i put together a little sumary of what i did, but even that is minuscule compared to how it really went down haha im just tired, my life alone takes a bunch of mojo. let alone filmins or editing of blogging or giving speaches, or anything, especially involving a camera, i mean im a cripple! haha us and cameras usually mean broken cool toys, which = not fun. at least for me, i speak for myself of course, running on fumes....

i would stop if i could, there is an eternal energy that i cannot explain that drives me forward. but its not important for me to analyse it, because all i know is, i love it.

eight days a week

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my life is so beautiful, no blog, youtube video, interview, newpaper article, or tv show could ever be a medium for me to fully share it with anyone. plus i aint that guy...all im trying to do is to do everything to the best of my abilities. And i manifest my life. somehow, its quite bizarrr to be honest. Its never easy, but nothing ever is. And its always worth it. it's seriously surreal haha im glad im speaking on friday, and gettin in on wednesday....hopefully will give me a chance to slow my rollll and see some people i love, i need rest... and home cookin!!!! im gettin boney honey

i would like to thank everyone, you're love is so incredible, words nor anything could ever describe how blessed i feel

one love

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My life just got completely twirled upside down. So many things happened and are happening as i type its crazy. I gotta be in vegas by 8 i think. PUSCIFER tonight. Very excited but like i said. Mad stuff has just happened. I will be deff explaining....i just have a very very interesting 24 hours ahead of me. i just know it, my life is always crazy/beautiful/random/allways awesome but nutty..... i feel like dog poo but its A OK....why? cuz i aint ded yet, and i can handle anything.

there is no good, and there is no bad, in the end, its all just.

One love

ill update on the madness when i return....god only knows when or in what condition

my apologies to everyone who i have yet to write back too...life has literally been crazy!! I have nothing but so so much love for you, you have no idea

HAPPY BELATED VALENTINES DAY....hope all u lovers enjoyed kissy faces and romance, i enjoyed an awesome day of complete crazy ridiculous randomness and feeling like death....with a little unexpected ninja twist.. :) and Yesterday by the Beatles just came on..... on random..out of 20,478 songs.... Don't even get me started...

aiightchyo peace.... see you in Vegas, ill be rollin around the strip...MikeyWheels...back on the road...

How I get out of bed!!

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This was the beginning of my day, there is a whole day of adventures out in LA trying to fix something on the van after I crashed into a box of jeans in the middle of the highway the night before, I am using my typing program now and eagerly await re-reading all the love and messages from facebook and emails i've been recieving since the journey began! Oh and I have more video from the rest of the day coming for all those who are interested (im still blown away that anyone cares) it means more to me than anyone knows.

Peace, love, and forgiveness (tre important, i'm no angel....i can be a jerk, and have been to some) I'm sincerely Sorry for hurting anyone that i hurt. Misunderstandings usually mess everything up, however hurtful words are never ok.

Love
Mike

...till tomorrow :)

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First and foremost I would like to thank my father. My father has been there for me, since the very beginning of my life. It is most likely one of the most frightening things to go through as a parent... raising a child with a disability, not like it's not scary enough without any disease at all! Most parents do not want to outlive their children, for all the obvious reasons... unless they've given birth to the demon spawn hahaha but for serious it's scary as hell because the reason parents have children is to create life and watch it flourish, and when the life they create has any kind of limitation or early expiration date out of their control it can lead to serious frustrations in life about not being able to help. And sometimes there isn't something a parent can do, and sometimes there is. My father has done nothing but do everything in his power to help me be the best and strongest person I can be. Throughout my whole life he refused to accept that I would not live up to my fullest potential, and any time he saw me slacking off or giving him a BS excuse about why I didn't do something, he would call me on it. And believe me I wouldn't take that very well haha I wanted to get away with being lazy.... and perhaps would've continued if he wasn't such a strong stand for me to be all that I can be (not in the army) lol

I am the luckiest man in the world for many many reasons, both of my parents, my sister, my friends, and come to think about it... everything! My father, with help from the government help me get the wheels in Mikeywheels, this is one of countless elements my father has provided me with to help me to live as independent a life as possible. I am forever grateful for this van, the last van, the SUV that was needed last time to fit my wheelchair as I had just started to go into it when I was 18, and for adding an entire section on to the House to make it possible for me to use the bathroom, get in and out by myself, and have a living room so that I can enjoy the wonderful company of all of my friends that I'm blessed to have. He was a little bit confused as to why I would want to leave such a comfortable, safe, and very accessible environment. One might think that's an ideal situation... how incredibly wrong they are. No matter how many things were set up perfectly for me and my body and the changes it was going through, I was going out of my mind, ready to punch the ticket, because the idea of sitting home doing nothing just as my father had always been worried about, was starting to look really lame. Without the van, which is the only way I have been able to accomplish almost all of my journeys and adventures, I'm not sure what I would have done, and I know, I wouldn't have come close to what I have been able to do thanks to him.

NOW... I'm 24, and I have fully embraced every aspect about my life. I'm dying for some responsibility, and I want to take care of myself... fully.... financially.... everything.... why?.... because I wants to earn everything, the same way he and everyone else does. I am no different. I just don't have to waste my time walking and I almost never wait in line ;)

Everyone keeps asking me, how am I going to do it? it's " impossible"... while I laugh, and love it when someone says anything is impossible... because I usually beg to differ. Anything is possible, everything is possible. And if it's not... it can be made possible. So far since I've been here, there's been a whole list of things that were to a lot of people " impossible"... for I didn't do it to prove them wrong, I did it to follow my dreams. I've met so many incredible people and received so many e-mails and facebook messages that completely rocks my world. It saddens me that it's difficult for me to respond the way I want to. But, today am using my typing program for the first time, so tomorrow and from that day on I have a brand-new way of getting back to everyone who has taken the time to write me.... I haven't forgotten anyone, this is just literally been the most chaotic and crazy time with my life along with being the most beautiful. But... things began to change with this program and the journey has really really just begun.

So thank you dad, and mom , and misty!

Tomorrow will be another busy day, I am falling asleep as I type this. Good night everyone.

To life liberty and the pursuit of happens
Mikey

Crash Pants

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keep gettin weaker. im stayin alive tho! got my bed today! And a wonderful package from Jessica :) Love you!! Hit a huge box full of designer pants on the freeway, damaged the wheelchair lift under the van, gonna have to check that out now (even tho im broke, oye) anyways! it was a beautiful day, i may move to san diego for a bit, not sure, LA is a little fast paced, and everyone is trying to make a buck, and im trying to just get by. I aint no hollywood kinda guy, haha im not a for sale kinda guy, you lose the heart sometimes within that frame of mind.I just want to life, to live, and have beautiful life experiences. And i continue to have them. It doesnt matter how many or few people watch any of these, im not doing this for a result, just o live life to the fullest!

Peace love and no expectations, only possibilities :)

wish me luck gettin into bed!!!
mwah!

One Month Alone!

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i had some drama, a few falls, and a lot of love. Today marks one month officially in my own place! I keep learning, and meeting incredible people everywhere i go. I Finally got my typing program so i can respond to the emails and facebook messages i have been receiving the way i would like to (as fast as i can! im only one dude!) I am blessed with this incredible life experience. I am taking on my life in a way i never did before, And im taking it on fully, I want to be responsible for myself, and i will.

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The funk is over, i have had many wake up calls.. in the form of messages, emails, and phone calls. I should have never let anyone upset me, and should have realized that before I got upset to begin with...now i just feel silly for lettin it get to me. SO. It's done!

New page, moving forward!

I just ate something (plain oatmeal and brown rice!) and listened to my favorite song (thank you Maria..for your message too, I will be in touch soon). I'm hanging out with my man Jamison Neu, the infamous trick shot dude, and new good friend to me. Im listening to Johnny Cash's I won't Back Down and re-gathering myself. The rain is over now, and tomorrow is a brand new day. I am so greatful for everyone who emailed me and messaged me on facebook, and thank you Lisa, you always know how to help me see through the fog!

My program is being given to me now tomorrow instead of tonight. I sincerely apologize to everyone. I am touched by the love in every email and message i recieve and have not forgotten about a single one. I just need to get to each one at a time once i have my typing program. Thank you for your patience and putting up with me!!!

For tonight, im going to try to rest and get my strength for tomorrow!

Thank you (everyone) for your support and encouragement!

Love,
Mike
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I had a interesting few days, i haven't been feeling so great, i am still trying to just stay healthy without loosing any more weight. I passed out and collapsed yesterday and ended up getting stuck on the floor between the wheelchair and the wall. I have no clue how it happened, but its indication that i am physically drained. My phone was up on the chair, and i have no life alert because a land line is needed. Thankfully someone upstairs heard me yelling. I was lucky that the maintenance man Kevin was able to break in to my place to rescue me. He is a really great guy who truly cares about my well being and is there for me.

I was given an opportunity to speak at Bergen Community College for the GED Graduation. I am honored to do so. This will be only my second time speaking at a college, but i am very much looking forward to it. I will be flying in to speak on the 20th of this month, It will be my first time bringing my electric wheelchair on the plane, because im going to the airport all by my lonesome. So it should be a interesting new experience! Thank you BCC, I don't take this lightly!

I have unfortunately lost quite a bit of friends along this journey. I wish i didn't. I am only trying to do the best i can, which was not good enough for some of them. Jumping to conclusions can never help any situation, on my end as well. However insults and put downs for self gratification go nowhere. Communication is key, Expectation, will always lead to disappointment.

I look like crap and decided to stay away from video today, and im pretty ouchy so i dont wanna look it. For everyone who thinks im fake, thank you for believing in me. I will not stoop down and attempt to insult you back, I have enough elements trying to hold me down. However you will be missed. Its sad how just because of a website and a dream some people automatically catogorize you as "Fake" just because of how they feel in thier own head. I am just a 24 year old cripple trying to do my best, to live, love, and follow my heart. Every illness is confusing, with both the physical and emotion toll. Every life is confusing, even with no illness. We are all trying to do the best we can in this world i believe, me included. And nobody is perfect, myself deff included.

To love, live and friends
Michael

ps. tonight i get my typing program, a tool which I will be able to do much more once i install.
Thank you all for you support, and thank you to everyone who "knows" im fake. It might help if you knew me first. I mean know me, not think you do.

One Love-Respect
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a great friend helped me out to keep the wheels turning, im "not allowed" to recieve "help" according to the "government". which Tom Didn't do....Not! No, but "seriously", he is a super funny guy who has kept me laughing with every hilarious message he wrote me on facebook throughout this journey since the get-go. A real true amazing and incredibly generous human being. I am lucky to have him in my life. One Love brotha. Secondly hahaha i keep meeting people, great people, all kinds, colors, heights, sex, occupation, religion, fame, honor, respect, bottom line, i dont know how much more lucked out i could get with every aspect of my life in terms of me meeting people. Its actually kind of bizarre....but i roll with it :) Because its beautiful

I am out here trying to live....independent of my parent's continuing financial support. I would like to be self sufficient, and will be. Maybe not at first, i have incredible people in my life who have helped me get my wheels rolling, people who have donated since the very start, once again, YOU ARE THE WAY I GOT HERE....and that was the biggest move of my life. I have cut myself off from receiving any money from my parents. WHY? Because i can! And WILL find a way, the last thing i told my mom regarding money was to if anything consider sending me, a not at all but kinda sorta belated "gift" for christmas. But that was it. and we fought about it, but i am very stubborn. And i want to do this. FOR ME! because i believe in love and life and turns out (not to my surprise) there is a world of people out there who do to. Im gonna find em all!!! hahahahaha

I know help is needed because im a cripple, and we know these things. Both physical and sometimes financial. I just want to eat, medicate..... (very important in order to eat...meaning one doesnt happen without the other) ie...i keep getting thinner, for those who has seen me, they know, im a skinny skinny guy, i weigh about 90 somthing. ans its going down became of the pickle of the social security and all its ups and DOWNS regarding "help". But its cool because everything works out the way it should. and im still ticking right? i dont ever get tired, or hungry (without medication......NOT covered by medical insurance) probably because its all natural and why would the government want someone to be on a healthy medication............riii
ight. No, but Morphine is cool... yeah cool as in dead because that "Sh*T" almost killed me in egypt. The Legal pain killer....or as i like to call it, LEGAL HEROIN. only the govenment thinks its cool because of all the money they get from it.. So I get dead...and they get rich and have power? i think not. because i didnt die. And i kicked morphine. Alone. Under MY "Doctorial" suggestion. thats deff not a word but whos counting.. And now im just trying to live, and even where i live (Sunny California baby) its sketchy and not provided through Medical or medicade....MEANING not affordable, because of no (actually realistic) income is allowed...on the books..

and i need to eat, so that means i gotta medicate (volcano is key)

and if thats a problem for the government, thats a problem for me....which really means, it goes right back to being a problem for them, because i won't die for my government. But i Will Live.

And i tend to upset the system hahahaha because i STAND UP for what i believe in.....even tho "i can't" :)

Everything and anything is possible, im just exploring and LOVING, because nothing is more important, LOVE EVERYONE!

i still dont have the program and this just took and hour to type and im crampin haha (ladies i know you cramp in a much worse way) but i need to take all my pills so i can shut my eyes, my body just keeps wanting more and more and wont lemme sleep!

Im going to rest now ,see ive rambled and i havent even gotten to tell you about what has happened in my life! but thats another chapter, and speaking of chapter... Go read or see Into the Wild.

Love and Light and PEACE!!!

Love
Michael Joseph Oliveri. And Proud :)

ps. thank you to Tom and to everyone else who has written and sent "gifts" to me to help out. I live because of you.

oh and for all those who wondered who drove the trip, it was me, for every mile, and i am in the process of taking ownership of my van (thank you Dad) <-----incredible father. So i can take the insurance too, because i want to own every aspect of my life, and BE RESPONSIBLE for myself 100% AND DONT EVER CHEAT ON YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND...IT HURTS A LOT MORE THAN ANYONE THINKS BUT KNOWS. TRUST ME I KNOW, I MADE THAT MISTAKE, AND SHE NEVER GOT THE FULL STORY...granted I didnt deserve a second more of her life, and Now she is HAPPY living her life. I CONFESSED because she deserved better than me. And i knew it, even before she did. and i got what i deserved...nothing more from her. And i Still Love her. She is probably one of the most beautiful people i ever had in my life. And was there for me. And LovED me. Thank you Shannon for putting up with me till i gave you another reason to stay away. Most beautiful two years of my life (romantically) Guys, watch out! oh look at that its 4:19 Good night everyone, i love you, thanks for putting up with me! ~The ChairMan

still rollin'

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the great thing about falling, is once you hit the ground....there is nowhere to go but up :)

When things dont go so smooth..

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I tried! and failed, fail capital, Me. However the sun still came up! i watched it as it teased me about it being 7Am and how i was just getting to go to bed. Ah the life of a curious little cripple, and how sweet it is, this is just a lesson, one of many many many many many lol i just can't stop livin! Gravity, you 're gonna have to try better than that! and thank you Sara, for everything. you, are amazing.

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I had a rough week followed by a crazy weekend. My mother thinks I was too angry in my last video blog. I am driven, and motivated, but not angry. I like to solve problems, and when a problem effects more than just me, I become passionate. Am i angry now? No. Im still one of the happiest guys that you will ever meet. I was happy that same night actually lol I also happen to give a crap about a few things, and I being a Pisces tend to sometimes get emotional about things hahaha but it comes and goes...but my pilot light is always burning strong.

My van is still problematic (still rollin for now), my diet, sleep and bathroom schedule is atrocious. However i keep having the time of my life meeting people and going everywhere, living my dream. Still working out the kinks.... but nothing can't be solved.

As long as my body is up for it, i'm gonna enjoy the ride baby

day at a time

Peace and Love
Mikey (Michael) or whatever, i've been called more things than I care to recall, nothin changes haha
I love ya!!!!!!!

My twitter