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Simen Abid
2008-01-31 17:05:23

Every once in a while, you get a letter like this that puts all of the crazy in perspective:

Dear People of Marvel,

My name is Simen Abid and I have a rare form of blood cancer. I've had this disease ever since I was 1 years old and have been in and out of hospitals all my life. In fact tomorrow I'm being admitted for a series of blood transfusions and other things.

I'm not writing this as a "pity me 'cause I'm sick" thing, I'm writing this to you, the people that make the comic books that I love, that there been many times in my life that I've just wanted to give up the fight and give into my disease , times where I would cry myself to sleep because of I didn't understand why this was happening to me, why did I have to be stuck with so many needles and why did the doctors have to take this and that out of me. Anyway, my point is that being in that hospital bed all the time and not being about to play with the kids outside alot, your comics kept my spirits up when I was down.

Marvel Comics have had a profound effect on my life. The books were always there to take my mind off the world of emergency rooms and operating tables, they were there to kick me out of my depression and continue to give this sickness everything I got. I write this to you, the people of Marvel Comics as a thank you, thank you for being the only friend i ever knew. Thank you for reminding me time and time again that no matter what the odds are, if you fight the good fight nothing will stop you.

Thank you, Marvel, for saving my life, for helping make me the man I will be some day. The doctors always said to my parents that I wouldn't make it past 8, then 10, then 12, and then finally 16. I'm 19 years old today and will be turning 20 in April. Thank you for everything, people of Marvel, and God bless every one of you.

Simen Abid

More later.

Tom B

That put a tear to my eye. Can't think of anything else to say that wouldn't take away from what was already said.

Posted by doncorswhazie on 2008-01-31 18:37:59

I want to get a letter like this at some point before I die.

Posted by Michael Heide on 2008-01-31 20:59:41

Awesome
Thanks for posting that. Also, gambatte (keep on going) to Simen!

Posted by beta-ray on 2008-01-31 21:35:41

You know that is very sad. Keep fighting man. I have a heart condition myself, and im 17, i have a bad heart. Simon, good luck and this did put a tear to my eye.

Posted by DeathSentence on 2008-01-31 22:06:29

Good!
You should tack this up next to your computer and read it after every session on the internet, Tom. He'll probably save your sanity at the same time you're saving him.

Posted by PseudoSherlock on 2008-02-01 09:39:56

Beautiful story.
Goes to show just how important comics are to people. Inspires, influences, gives hope when you need it, teaches you right from wrong, mobilizes the masses and gives us our equivalent of fables and fairy tales. Is there anything comics can't do?

Keep fighting, Simen. And keep reading!

Posted by DRock1 on 2008-02-01 13:48:36

tom.......
there are no words. none.

Posted by Knight of Fury on 2008-02-01 16:53:40

no better rewards neither....

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-02-02 06:42:55

Awesome. This is the kind of letter that makes everything else seem insignificant. Good luck to you, young man. Take care.

Posted by Tom Reed on 2008-02-05 10:18:04

see tom!
You're a hero to, even if you didn't realize it!

Posted by Anson17 on 2008-02-07 00:37:34

Still I'm currious which ...
stories he finds inspiring. I'm fortunate to have my health and while I've certainly been entertained by the stories from Marvel over the last few years I haven't found them to be very optimistic in tone.

Consider that House of M ends with the majority of mutants depowered, many dying as a result of their loss of power. Consider
Civil War results in the death of innocents such as Bill Foster and the surrender and assassination of Captain America. World War Hulk begins and ends with betrayal and death. And there's Annhilation and its sequels with whole worlds being destroyed along with the random hero here and there.

To take the message that fighting is worthwhile from the storylines of late is to possess a degree of optimism and hope that I can only salute in admiration.

Lewis Himelhoch

Posted by izzatrix on 2008-02-07 11:08:57

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