What G.I. Joe means to me:
When I was growing up spent a lot of time in the hospital and in doctor's offices because of a rare defect in my blood called ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Popura). The condition is similar to hemophilia, in some ways not as bad (no bleeding joints, which is good), and in some ways it can be worse (there is no treatment for it at all to date, so if you become symptomatic, your kind of screwed). To protect me from getting banged up, my parents and grandparents made me stay indoors... which wasn't as bad as it seems since the only two neighbors my age were a couple of nagging girls, and back then girls were gross. To keep me from escaping (that actually makes it sound like they were chaining me to a wall, but they weren't) they started purchasing GI Joe figures and vehicles for me.
No matter how bad the trips to the doctors offices were (weekly blood tests to check my blood platelet levels), or the operations (three, including one to remove my spleen), I always had a room full of G.I. Joes I could go home to. My little safe-haven away from the constant poking & prodding. After the operation to remove my spleen showed immediate success, I was unshackled, and went about my life like a normal kid would. Found a girl, got married... All was good, until...
I was bitten by a spider... normally not a big deal, but this particular spider bite had an unfortunate side effect (and unfortunately it wasn't spider-powers), It brought the ITP back. So, there I was a 32-year-old guy getting poked and prodded every day once again. Loaded up on different meds, losing my hair and gaining weight because I could no longer work out or lead an active lifestyle. Then the 25th anniversary G.I. Joe figures hit. The figures that made me so happy and took me away to a little fantasy world were back and better than ever!
Though the Joes had little to do with it, I eventually gave the middle finger to my doctors, got off all the meds and followed a holistic approach to my health. My hairs back, my excess weight is (mostly) gone, and my blood platelet levels are whatever they are. I eat healthy, live healthy and enjoy my Joes.
So, to answer the question properly: What does G.I. Joe mean to me? G.I. Joe is my escape into a safe world where I can be a normal person and not have to worry about the pains in life, regardless of how old or young I am.
Thanks & Yo Joe!
Scott