It is hard to believe that 4 whole years have flown by since the day I first picked up this "injured" glider from a basement in a tiny town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. And, it is equally as hard to believe that it has already been 4 years!
For those who need a little history: Jackie Chan was a rescue who came to me with what turned out to be a severed spine. We are still not sure why it is that Jackie has survived, but he HAS survived and thrived and stolen the hearts of many. Jackie Chan has very limited movement below his shoulders. He IS able to use his front legs and is REMARKABLE in how he compensates for the loss of his back legs. He has no bowel and bladder control and only minimal ability to move his back lets at the hips. In addition to these physical limitations, Jackie suffers with pretty severe anxiety and is prone to self -mutilation. His SM episodes have resulted in many surgeries and amputations, including: traumatic castration and subsequent cleaning up of the site, removal of both heads of his penis, tail amputation and multiple surgeries to close a wound he kept opening up. His anxiety has resulted in an overgroomed head for 3 solid years now. Jackie has come a long way, has bonded to me very strongly, and has now gone 2 whole years without a major medical issue!!!
Through the years, Jackie Chan has inspired me and been the catalyst for research and study into topics such as HLP, paralysis, anxiety, enrichment, Self Mutilation and wound healing. Jackie Chan was the primary motivation for founding the SUGAR Group to gain more education and scientific research on sugar gliders. Jackie has also taught me the value of each life. He has forced me to make hard decisions and to evaluate where I stand on euthanasia. He has challenged my natural instincts to "protect" him as he wants so badly to never be treated like he is "limited" physically. He has taught me that gliders will only be as "handicapped" as we make them be, and that when we allow them to soar, they will literally learn to jump, even if they are paralyzed.
Jackie Chan has brought many in this community together despite our different views or personalities. He has just as much caused rifts between a few of us that might never see bridges repair. He is loved by many and pitied by others. But, one thing is true through it all - once you MEET Jackie Chan, you are changed somewhat. You see a glider who LOVES life, who WANTS to live and who is totally and completely in love with his momma and vice-versa. This little guy has stolen my heart and will forever and always be the reason that I want to find answers to all of the injuries and illnesses that plague our gliders.
I can't say enough about him. If you haven't gotten to meet him yet, you should ask for some time with him if you ever see me at a gathering. Not so that I can show him off (for I will not and I don't allow every Tom, Dick and Harry to have time with hime), but because YOUR understanding of what a glider can overcome will change once you meet him.
And, if you own a good video camera, you should bring it to the RRRoundup so that we can finally have some video of this boy in action to share with the community.
And now, cause I know some of you will never forgive me if I don't post pictures, here are a few from our time a few nights ago in the tent.
Here is how Jackie's legs look when he is in a hurry to check something out:
His severely over-groomed head:
Just all around cuteness as he plays in the tent (and he plays HARD)
4 years. We never imagined he would live this long. I certainly never imagined he would change my life like he did.
~~ Val B ~~ 806-803-0318 Daily giving the abused, unloved, unwanted and neglected SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR SUGAR GROUP SURVEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow Val, 4 years!!! I haven't even been on G/C for that long but I know of sweet Jackie Chan. Bless his little heart and your Big heart I hope you have many more years together
Pat You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.....Unknown
Rest in Peace our little sweet friends that have crossed over the "Rainbow Bridge". I miss you Boo-Boo, Lucy, BJ, and Fivel
Wow Val, he is amazing and an inspiration to us all...showing us just how strong the will to live can be! I can't wait to meet him at the RRound up in March !!!! (if you let me that is!)
Keeper of Handprints on my Heart, You left your Footprints on my soul. My precious loves that left to quickly, Peanut, Katie Isabella, Kiwi, Bonnie and Monroe.
Spread your wings and glide free of pain, Until the day I see you again.
WOW Val thank you I love the cute picture. of him jumping over the toy it looks like a Jackie Chan move LOL
Rachel Home to now 13 lovely greys!2 mos, and 1 plat mo. Link, Zelda, Coffee, Crash, Sif, Lily, Thor, Loki, Damiana, Sammy, and Pollux and a loving husband
That seriously almost made me tear up!!! I am so happy for you and Jackie Chan! What an amazing story of pure perseverance on Jackie's part!! And I commend you for sticking with it as many people would not want a "disabled" pet.
Wow! I still remember the very first Jackie stories we heard on here. It's amazing how far you and he have come. Keep up the good work Jackie, you're an inspiration to us all! I hope to be lucky enough to meet you someday.
Isn't he just adorable? I love each and every picture and story I've seen/heard about him....I haven't been here nearly this long either, but I've been fortunate enough to hear the stories and hear told just how wonderful YOU are! What a beautiful and amazing mama you are, Val! Thank you for ALL you do!
Jackie Chan HAS been an inspiration to many and he is loved by all.
I remember coming on every moment I could to hear more about Jackie in the early days of him coming to you. I just couldnt get enough of my Jackie Chan fix! LOL
That little man has a heart of gold and the strength of many, and I will always cherish what you and Jackie have been through and what you both have/continue to teach us every day!
Thank you so much Val for reminding us that no matter what...all they need is love, patience and understanding.
Last edited by Sherri; 12/07/1012:15 PM.
sherri
Forever home to a wide variety of animals, domestic, farm and exotic. My passion is my little suggie sweethearts! 731-441-9814
ok i just cried a little! what an amazing little guy! and how amazing are YOU to have stuck with him and helped him thru ALL of that! what an incredible and inspirational story! <3
~ERIN~ momma to:ceasar(boxer),Chili(pug),Badcat(black cat) and Juliette(ragamuffin)~Appleand Archerand George MichealMaybeand Jasper ,husband Jordan and daughter Azlyn!
He is a very handsome little man. Its amazing how something so small can teach us what true courage and determination really is. I would never feel pity for him.....just admiration for him and his amazing momma. I truely admire your determination and courage also. Thanks for sharing Jackie chans wonderful story with us.
Ruby www.rubyssuggieshak.weebly.com fur babies Baka Manu Adara and Neera , leopard, crested and gargoyle geckos,a rotten beagle ( Beauregard), a rotten english bulldaog puppy( oREN), 1 blood python, 1 redtail boa, 1 argentine boa and 3 corns
This is such an inspiring story. It is amaizing he was able to pull through. It just goes to show that animals are so much more special than humankind ever gives them credit for.
Such a heartwarming story and an unforgettable one! I hope I get the chance to meet him some day. Please, someone take a video for us at the RRRoundup!
He, and his mommy, show us, nothing is impossible!!!
An amazing story - and a beautiful relationship! I'm so glad there are people in this world that can love no matter what. I admire your character, and Jackie's courage. My heart goes out to both of you
i never heard the storie untill to day what a great learning tool...jackie is such an amazing little man yes he deserves to be photo of the week...god bless you both
"promise me you'll always remeber:you're braver than you believe,and stronger than you seem,and smarter than you think" christopher robin to pooh
This is just more proof that God has a plan and design for everyone, even sugar gliders! Even when bad things are sent are way doesn't mean he doesn't love us it just means that he want to set us apart so we can have a testimony and be an example!
Hearing Jackie's story and seeing the picture I don't think handi-capped is the right word, more like handi-capable!
I definitely just cried a little bit. That is so amazing, it really is. Both you and Jackie are so strong and I am so happy to get to see pictures of that sweetheart.
Teresa, non-professional zookeeper. 1 dog-Tippy, 2 cats-Oreo and Jareth, 2 geckos-Zodiac and Palkia, 1 guinea pig-Critter, and 3 amazing gliders! :glider: Kiki, Simba and Winry Nibbler (2008-2011) You will always be in my heart. Always.
I love Jackie's story and plan on sharing it with my 16 yr old son when he gets home from school today. He has many disabilities and his muscles are deteriorating so he can no longer do a lot of stuff he used to enjoy and he often feels sorry for himself about it but I believe showing him Jackie's story will show him how much you can accomplish even with a disability. It would be wonderful if this story could be shared with every disabled child and adult!!!
Connie: soon to be wife to Harold, mom to 3 children, 2 precious kitties, and my treasured gliders.
AWWWW. Thank you Jill Marie. I took more pictures the other day in the tent. I'll post them sometime after I get back home (delivering gliders to their new home this weekend). He still amazes me too.
~~ Val B ~~ 806-803-0318 Daily giving the abused, unloved, unwanted and neglected SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR SUGAR GROUP SURVEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I teach special education to an age group that is aware of what society thinks about them. I spend all year telling them that life is never about their disability but about their ability. Imma use Jackie Chan as my opening for the next year. Kids are gonna love it!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Val, where are those pics you promised? How is Jackie doing? I hope all is well and will continue to be good for any time to come!! He is such an amazing little guy! He is an inspiration to all of us. I too have a disability but it doesn't get me down. Well most days!(I'm dealing with some issues from the amputation surgery, but otherwise am ok)
awe he truly is an amazing story. What a tough little guy.
Teresa, non-professional zookeeper. 1 dog-Tippy, 2 cats-Oreo and Jareth, 2 geckos-Zodiac and Palkia, 1 guinea pig-Critter, and 3 amazing gliders! :glider: Kiki, Simba and Winry Nibbler (2008-2011) You will always be in my heart. Always.
Wow, this truly was inspiring to me. Please give my aloha to lil Jackie Chan. Give him a warm belly rub and tell him he's inspired me to love my babies even more!
Jackie Chan has very limited movement below his shoulders. He IS able to use his front legs and is REMARKABLE in how he compensates for the loss of his back legs. He has no bowel and bladder control and only minimal ability to move his back lets at the hips. In addition to these physical limitations, Jackie suffers with pretty severe anxiety and is prone to self -mutilation. His SM episodes have resulted in many surgeries and amputations, including: traumatic castration and subsequent cleaning up of the site, removal of both heads of his penis, tail amputation and multiple surgeries to close a wound he kept opening up. His anxiety has resulted in an overgroomed head for 3 solid years now. Jackie has come a long way, has 
Boo-Boo, Lucy, BJ, and Fivel 
Nissa, Moose, Faye, Dexter, Frankie, 
Shakespeare, Elsbeth, Isabeau, Dartanion,
Adonis 
Lily & Lil Aphrodite (my wht mo)
Sari
Silly "Ozball" Ozzie. You left us 11/21/12..way too soon. You're forever loved, remembered, missed."
