You Can’t Sum up a Life Within a Blog Post

12 Responses (Yours?) | Friday, October 2nd, 2009 « Previous Next »

Cory Carrier was better known on our IRC community as simply Gimpi. On Twitter, his chosen handle was Krippl. Are you noticing a theme yet? Corey was indeed physically crippled, living much of his life in a wheelchair. He also had to be placed on a ventilator much of the time, due to reduced lung functions. Cory lived with a very VERY rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. He refused to let MD define him. He refused to live his life in fear of what might happen. Instead, he chose to LIVE life – on his own terms.

We lost our friend Cory unexpectedly last night. It is a crushing blow to this community as a whole, and to me personally. You see, Gimpi was part of our chat community long before we even WERE a community. The kid wandered in so many years ago, I’ve lost count. I know it’s been 8 or 9 years at the least, and likely even longer than that. He was to turn 22 in December, so that tells you how young he was when he first came to us.

Cory had such a zest for life, and an amazing sense of humor. His ability to laugh in the face of his disabilities actually inspired many people. So often, people in situations such as he was just shrivel up and stop living. They let the disease become them. They give up, and live out their lives quietly. Not Cory. He pushed himself every day. He laughed often, and laughed loud. He was smart as hell, and an amazing graphics designer. He also was very loyal, and was fierce in his protection of his friends and loved ones.

How do you take the life of someone like Cory and sum it up into a simple blog post? I’ve slaved over this all damn day, and haven’t figured it out yet. All I know is that there is a huge hole in my heart tonight, as there is in that of everyone who was close to this awesome little dude. He touched so many lives, and was loved by all of us. There are literally no words for me to write to begin to explain who Cory was, what he stood for, and what he meant to us all.

I will simply say that this community will not be the same without our Gimpi. We will forever think of him fondly, and miss him greatly. And when we think back on all the years he was with us, we’ll remember him with laughter – along with the tears.

You are in our hearts, Cory/Gimpi/Krippl. And to your family and “real life” friends… may they know that they are in our hearts right now, as well, as they begin to learn to cope with their loss. If there is anything that our community can do, I hope you all know that we are on it – instantly. That’s the way Cory was, always reaching out to help. And that’s the least we can do now, in his honor.

Fly free, my friend. Fly free from the physical pain and constraints. Look upon us occasionally, and remind us to laugh every day.

12 Comments

Craighton Miller

October 2nd, 2009
at 10:03pm

We miss you Corey!!!

Jena Isle

October 2nd, 2009
at 11:14pm

A passing away is always sad, but his memories will live on in each of you that he has touched while he was still alive. God bless his soul.

Stephen Glanville

October 2nd, 2009
at 11:45pm

Well Chris, all that ’slaving’ was worth it mate…through you and a fine Gent called Michael Martin (who referred me to your article), Cory has touched another life, even in his wake.

Speaking of which, I hope his family are able to celebrate the obvious power of his life…

You and Corey and his family have my thanks…

Cheers

Stephen G

admiraljustin

October 3rd, 2009
at 1:16am

There’s just this little part of me thinking: “If Gimpi were reading some of this he’d wonder why his chair didn’t have a roll bar if he was so on the edge.”

Earl W Seugling Jr

October 3rd, 2009
at 5:20pm

I did not know Gimpi [Cory Carrier] or Krippl [his poignant Twitter name] or would I have conversed with him.

My generation of Old Folks are more comfortable with face to face encounters, BUT – the Internet apparently made it possible for Gimpi to excel and happily converse with many. AND – the Internet offers all of us the opportunity to expand our universe, to expand our knowledge, to meet and enjoy new adventures, friends and, of course, adversaries.

Here’s to Gimpi, the Internet and the Wondrous opportunities which they exemplify and offer !

ewsjr33

TechMan8

October 3rd, 2009
at 7:04pm

wow… that’s sad…

RIP Gimpie :-(

Remembering Cory » Kat’s Corner

October 3rd, 2009
at 11:17pm

[...] have already written two posts about my friend Cory, one on Chris Pirillo’s site (since I’m his ghost-writer), and one on the new Remembering Cory site. In both posts, I told [...]

Kathleen Maher

October 4th, 2009
at 8:58am

I didn’t know Corey but wish I did. I have known a few young men plagued with Muscular Dystrophy and they are (or were) fascinated by art and beauty; history; and humor. They’re skillful; accepting; and invariably adopt a gentle if dark humor about their condition. What else ya gonna do?
It’s heartbreaking, and not in the way regular life is heartbreaking: this disease robs us of the best people we’ve got.

GlowofElectrum

October 6th, 2009
at 4:22am

I am so sorry to hear this. We can thank God for the resurrection hope. Corey will someday soon live again on this earth. The Bible promises this and it contains many resurrection accounts as proof. I did not know Corey but it sounded like he had a tough time in life being dealt a sad plight. But he seemed to handle it all with dignity. Corey will be back some day then he will really live.

Dave roy

October 6th, 2009
at 8:48am

Cory , you will be sadly missed and not forgotten. I too know his pains and I being disabled. I have an oversized heart and have to be on oxygen all day . I too once in awhile post a blog on geeks .I have read your blogs and was always interested in what you had written .I being a CEO of a radio station in ohio will be playing Angels among us in tribute to you . I know this is a small gesture of how big you were to all of us. But it is the least I can do . If anyone would like to listen to the show it will air tonight live on Z100.1 fM .You can listen from our web site http://www.radioinc.media.officelive.com or dial our live listening number at 347-215-6794 . The live show will be on my show Big Daddy Dave 9pm est to 10 pm est. Cory we know you will be listening to us from heavens above and we want you to know that we miss you . Thanks for the awesome blogs and friendship. Wrote by Big Daddy Dave @ Z1000.1 fM Radio Inc.