Playing with a Disability? (Earl-Shane)

[risky biz]

risky biz

Give it a rest, he knows Earl better than mostly anyone on this site if not the best. Earl has lived with Rick.

Pardon me for not knowing that and asking a simple question. I was curious whether Earl was actually bipolar or if it was just an opinion. But thanks for your contribution to the conversation.

 

[JAM]

"Bipolar" is a label that doctors use today for some disorders. It definitely has a broad spectrum.

Some folks can function just fine being bipolar with proper medication, and others cannot function well, even with proper medication. I could elaborate, but I won't at this time.

I knew Earl was bipolar the first time I met him, without even mentioning it. I'm sure nobody wants to discuss this kind of disability with others. Truly, it's nobody's business.

I will say this. It is usually people with extremely high intelligence who do suffer from bipolar problems and/or depression. It is because their mind is operating at full speed all the time. If they were dumb, they'd wouldn't worry about things or sweat the small stuff. These folks usually succeed very high in their chosen endeavors. Jonathan Winters is one example, and so is Earl Strickland.

 

[Fast Lenny]

Pardon me for not knowing that and asking a simple question. I was curious whether Earl was actually bipolar or if it was just an opinion. But thanks for your contribution to the conversation.

No bud...thank you for your contribution to this site and the game of pool. :wink:

 

[risky biz]

risky biz

No bud...thank you for your contribution to this site and the game of pool. :wink:

Don't go away mad.

 

[Rick S.]

He's alright.

He's just trying to look out for me. (thanks Lenny)

 

[JAM]

He's alright.

He's just trying to look out for me. (thanks Lenny)

You Arizona folk do stick together through thick and thin, I am learning.

 

[risky biz]

risky biz

He's alright.

He's just trying to look out for me. (thanks Lenny)

Yeah. I think he's trying to look out for me, too. (thanks Lenny)

 

[Fast Lenny]

You Arizona folk do stick together through thick and thin, I am learning.

Stand next to the righteous and defend the weak. (not calling Rick weak)

 

[Zbotiman]

Now what about that mental componant in recovery?

Mental disabilities are devastating. People lose families, friends, careers, self esteem and hope. It is incredibly difficult to get up every day and deal with all the symptoms of the illness and maintain recovery, and all who do so have my sincere admiration. It is important to remember, though, that the person is not responsible for his illness, but he is responsible for his behavior and recovery.

....well let's see, Earl's lost everything you've mentioned and is still out there trying to make a buck. He's trying to do that the only way he knows how, playing pool. He's got problems, everyone knows that, but, because they revolve around how he thinks and believes, DRUGS are a required part of his recovery. Which isn't really recovery at all, it's a one way trip to ZOMBIE LAND, the potato factory. To top it all off, if he takes the meds, he can't function to earn the buck.

I'll take the flawed human on a natural, with all that high stakes entertainment value riding on every shot.
After last weeks performance, I'd think it would be O.K. for all the bashers to make amends now! LOL!!!

 

[Fast Lenny]

Don't go away mad.

I am so cool they might start calling me...

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

....well let's see, Earl's lost everything you've mentioned and is still out there trying to make a buck. He's trying to do that the only way he knows how, playing pool. He's got problems, everyone knows that, but, because they revolve around how he thinks and believes, DRUGS are a required part of his recovery. Which isn't really recovery at all, it's a one way trip to ZOMBIE LAND, the potato factory. To top it all off, if he takes the meds, he can't function to earn the buck.

I'll take the flawed human on a natural, with all that high stakes entertainment value riding on every shot.

While I do have the greatest emphathy for Earl or anyone else who has a physical or mental disability, I think that it's important that they not use their disability as an excuse to justify their inappropriate behaviors.

If indeed Earl is bipolar as some have suggested, that should not be allowed as an excuse for sharking their opponents in the manner that Earl has done during tournaments and matches. Competition should be on a level playing field but allowing Earl to shark his opponents gives him a huge psychological advantage.

If Earl is unable or unwilling to control his condition, then it's time for him to retire.

 

[Fast Lenny]

While I do have the greatest emphathy for Earl or anyone else who has a physical or mental disability, I think that it's important that they not use their disability as an excuse to justify their inappropriate behaviors.

If indeed Earl is bipolar as some have suggested, that should not be allowed as an excuse for sharking their opponents in the manner that Earl has done during tournaments and matches. Competition should be on a level playing field but allowing Earl to shark his opponents gives him a huge psychological advantage.

If Earl is unable or unwilling to control his condition, then it's time for him to retire.

Earl has not choice but to play, unfortunately there is no 401k playing pool and I cannot picture Earl greeting people at Walmart.

 

[Jimbojim]

Schizophrenia can be really dangerous when they don't take their medecine. My previous roommate is schizophreniac. Wasn't always like that but he developped it. Let me tell you something, no one wants to live with someone like that. Towards the end of our lease together, I had to put chains in my room because I really feared for my security and well-being. He lives in a hospital 24/7 now.

Schizophreniacs have a tendency to not take their meds because for them..everything is fine so why bother taking pills, right? He was a good friend (even was engaged with my sister at some point) and became sick. He started walking around the apartment building at night with lethal weapons and talking to himself, the other tenants had to file complaints because they were fuc**** scared! Or one other night, he came back at the apartment at around 2am and he started walking around the apartment like he was in trance and started opening every drawers and faucets. Open the drawer, close the drawer, open the drawer, close the drawer. Obviously that woke me up because of the noise so I got out of my room to talk to him and he was sitting on the couch in the dark by himself staring into the nothingness

- Hey Mister X (confidentiality) Are you okay? Why did you come back home so late ?

- Itinially, I was sleeping at my parent's because I was working nearby and it was late but while I was sleeping, this huge bright light came into my room and I couldn't sleep anymore so I came back home.

- Ok, why are you opening all the drawers and turning on every faucets, is something wrong?

- Oh *pause* Bhudda asked me to do it.

After that he started to go into my room when my girlfriend was there and laugh by himself and talk by himself. Started to think that the TV was calling him names. Was barely taking showers or clean his clothes.


Its really sad to see the degradation

I just wanted to share my experience living with one. You're all welcome to chip in your opinions or your stories.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Earl has not choice but to play, unfortunately there is no 401k playing pool and I cannot picture Earl greeting people at Walmart.

There's nothing wrong with Earl trying to make a living at playing pool. Just remember that other players are also trying to make a living at it too.

Allowing Earl to shark his opponents gives him an unfair advantage that can sway the outcome in his favor.

Other professional sports like golf or tennis absolutely do not tolerate this misconduct and will fine or ban the player, as appropriate. Pool should do the same.

 

[JustRackem]

Earl sharks himself!

All this crying about sharking and earl makes me sick. If anything Earl was sharking himself! Earl and Shane are pro's and they should be able to play under any circumstances. Who gives a **** if Earl is talking to himself and fans as well. Who cares?. How is that sharking? I just don't get it. You mean to tell me that because Earl yells at himself and the fans, that makes SVB miss his shots? If these guy's are truly Professionals, then that should not faze them in the least. Who cares what Earl says and does? Are the other pro's that weak minded to let that affect them and make them play bad? If so then the term Professional is way over rated.

If I am playing a guy and he runs his mouth and act's like a fool, I use that as my motivation to drill him and make him really go off. I don't let it affect me at all. When I am at the table, it is me and the table and that's it!. If I play bad, that is on me. I can be a little ***** and try and blame my opponent but the truth is, he did not miss the shots for me. I missed them on my own.

Truth is, MarsMan and SVB and most people on this forum thought SVB was stealing. As a matter of fact, if you search the threads there is a post by marsman that basically said they were taking the challenge because it was like free money. Well, I guess it did not turn out like they planned and the easiest way out is to say Earl was sharking them. Earl made a fool of himself and showed his ass a little but I just fail to see how that made SVB lose. SVB lost because he had no chance on that table. Earl won because his stroke is unmatched. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY will be able to beat him on that table!

 

[SLIM]

Couple of questions

all this crying about sharking and earl makes me sick. If anything earl was sharking himself! Earl and shane are pro's and they should be able to play under any circumstances. Who gives a **** if earl is talking to himself and fans as well. Who cares?. How is that sharking? I just don't get it. You mean to tell me that because earl yells at himself and the fans, that makes svb miss his shots? If these guy's are truly professionals, then that should not faze them in the least. Who cares what earl says and does? Are the other pro's that weak minded to let that affect them and make them play bad? If so then the term professional is way over rated.

If i am playing a guy and he runs his mouth and act's like a fool, i use that as my motivation to drill him and make him really go off. I don't let it affect me at all. When i am at the table, it is me and the table and that's it!. If i play bad, that is on me. I can be a little ***** and try and blame my opponent but the truth is, he did not miss the shots for me. I missed them on my own.

Truth is, marsman and svb and most people on this forum thought svb was stealing. As a matter of fact, if you search the threads there is a post by marsman that basically said they were taking the challenge because it was like free money. Well, i guess it did not turn out like they planned and the easiest way out is to say earl was sharking them. Earl made a fool of himself and showed his ass a little but i just fail to see how that made svb lose. Svb lost because he had no chance on that table. Earl won because his stroke is unmatched. Nobody, and i mean nobody will be able to beat him on that table!

who are you mad at?
Did you hear shane make any excuses for losing the match?
Did you hear mars make any excuses for shane losing the match?

SLIM

 

[JustRackem]

I am not mad at anyone! I'm just saying enough with all the sharking complaining. Bottom line is they thought they were stealing and got robbed instead. SVB is not complaining so why are all these pool forum guys complaining so much?. Earl won, SVB lost! get over it already!

 

[franko]

simple

After hearing all the disability talk, and talking w/friends I really began to wonder which disability would be worse to have? (wouldn't wish either on my worst enemy)

Which one would affect someone's performance more? A mental disability, or a physical disability?

Mental disabilities can't be seen from the outside.

People just don't seem to understand if they can't see something obvious (missing arms-legs, wearing hearing aids) that someone had a handicap.

Why is it Earl is called crazy, stupid, dumb, and most other names in the book? While he has a disability that affects his thoughts, and actions? Is it OK to make fun of people with this disability??

SYMPTOMS.........

"The primary symptoms of the disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings. Overpowering negative emotions, such as extreme anger, anxiety, and frustration. It is usually repetitive, not a one-time act."

Now, does that sound like Earl to you?? Your damn right it does.

Do you people actually think Earl wants to behave like he does? Hell no, he don't. He's seen numerous specialists and tried numerous medications, and spent thousands, and thousands of dollars all to no avail.

None of the meds allow him to show us the stroke that made him the greatest living 9 ball player on the planet. The meds rob him of that. (and US too)

Imagine if the tables were turned, and Earl was the one w/the hearing impairment? How many more titiles-world championships do you think he would have by now? There is absolutely no telling....

He wouldn't be having to scrap to get by these days, I have a feeling.


Earl has given us some of the most electrifying moments in pool history, and countless hours of entertainment over the years.


YOU be the judge.

Give Earl a break.....he deserves it.

Simple Solution...Tape Earls mouth shut with DUCK TAPE!

 

[Zbotiman]

??????????

While I do have the greatest emphathy for Earl or anyone else who has a physical or mental disability, I think that it's important that they not use their disability as an excuse to justify their inappropriate behaviors.

If indeed Earl is bipolar as some have suggested, that should not be allowed as an excuse for sharking their opponents in the manner that Earl has done during tournaments and matches. Competition should be on a level playing field but allowing Earl to shark his opponents gives him a huge psychological advantage.

If Earl is unable or unwilling to control his condition, then it's time for him to retire.

....Did you catch the earlier post by Earl's long time friend, "IS BIPOLAR, Clinically diagnosed as such and has sought treatment that will allow him to function. That treatment doesn't exist at this time!"

Did you watch the live broadcast on the first day? Everyone has busted Earl's actions at the end when the backer guy says, "this behavior won't be going on tomorrow night. Earl says is that a threat. Behind all of that I'm told there was a sign on the jukebox, before the match, "Earl dies tonight!" Couple that with the B.S. at the end, and I'D likely KILL SOMEBODY!!! "People LIKE TO PUSH Earl's buttons!"

When you realize he's SICK, who should really be taken outside and TAUGHT the straight and narrow path?

 

[Rick S.]

Simple Solution...Tape Earls mouth shut with DUCK TAPE!

LOL!!


Will it work on people too....?? Or is only for ducks?