BACKGROUND ... Marco's story is about a gay Quebecois and mentally challenged (and/or or mentally special/exotic as he preferred to call himself) trying to find acceptance. Instead, Marco found rejection from those around him, except for the rare few who understood what he stood for; and simply they were principles of supporting small businesses, ecological responsibility (i.e., reuse, reduce and recycle), promoting French culture and its language, as well as human rights and dignity, especially for minorities and the disabled. As a vegetarian, Marco underscored the sacredness of life of even animals! A MORTAL HEADACHE ... Marco tried for about a year to get internal medical diagnostics between 2008 - 2009. Unfortunately, he eventually succumbed with ongoing abdominal ails and later untreated and severe "spinal headaches" due to an apparent spinal cyst (syrinx), discovered in an autopsy, as it stands. The cyst caused cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) to back-flow, wherein Marco's brain herniated due to intracranial pressure; and his brain basically "drowned" in CSF! Shunts (catheters with tubing) could have been inserted to drain the spinal fluid and cyst. The cyst, as well, may have been pressing on nerves relating to the abdomen and, perhaps also, causing Marco's generalized bodily stiffness in the mornings. LIFESAVERS ... Severe headaches and migraines should be taken serious, especially if it is unusual, having an extensive duration, one is vomiting and eyes are hurting; and a CaT scans (or MRI) should be sought out and/or demanded to be on the safe side!!! If the latter is not at all possible, an eye-exam by an optometrist, at minimum, may alert him or her to unusual liquids (i.e., blood or CSF), nerve or blood vessel inflammations, tumors, aneurysm, etc. on, in the back and/or around the eyes. If an emergency is suspected, a neurologist can be contacted. The above is not meant as professional medical advice, but mere lifesaving strategies which may be helpful and lifesaving!!! And my only wish is that another potential Marco case does not end up in a body bag ... but, rather, alive and well with friends and loved-ones; and this, I believe can be a "gift of live" to you from Marco (spiritually)!!! ADVOCACY ... Try to bring a friend or relative to the emergency, especially if you are mentally or physically disabled. The friend or relative will not only be of comfort, but they can be witnesses and advocates to help voice one's medical need(s), if one so desires this! If one feels medically neglected and in danger, one can also call the police to the hospital in order to generate not only an incident report but possible medical compliance, as well, if it is reasonable and/or viable. To Life and to Your Health, Joshua