Message from Buddy Lovepower

Mr and Mrs Lovepower visit BSG in NYC. The following is their eye witness report:

"We visited the man a couple of times last week - last Sunday he was in good shape, and we stayed for a couple of hours.

So I got some idea of how significant the challenges are going to be, but he's got an amazing group of people supporting him, and his personality and sense of humour is intact."

Good days and bad days. That is what you face in the beginning of any recovery from major trauma. Losing the ability to walk and move from the sternum down is considered a major trauma.

Work on the two benefits in Vancouver are going along, but slowly, as I try to navigate the waters of March, the rules of the road, the radius clause (if you suspect you have this, please get it checked out quickly). I already wrote about this on http://www.densemilt.com/ today; read that if you want more of my rant.

Working the Big Room

The following is another view from our eyes in the Apple, the lovely Miss Xtina

I had the short shift tonight (just 5-9; we have two people on doing coats on weekends because it's busy) so I'm done already & on my way home.

Scott feels his rehab has been going well. He said yesterday the therapist had him grab onto a pole while she held it and pull himself up in the bed to a sitting positiion, and then hold himself there to see if he could balance sitting on the edge of the bed. He was able to release one hand and then the other, holding himself upright by maintaining his balance with his hands on the bed. This was a big deal because his trunk, his ability to feel his center, is compromised. He was really happy that he'd done well--that he saw some progress.
Here's my stop!
More later
xx
******************************************************************************

Home now.
Anyway, the big news of the past two days is that Scotty's been deemed ready for discharge. HUH?! Yes, this has been a bit alarming to us all. Rest assured that there is a dedicated, adoring team of close friends who are heavily on the case. Heesok's wife Carrie is a NYS Housing attorney--she's been banging down every door and writing to the Brooklyn borough councilman, and it looks like there are a couple of housing options within our reach that are both affordable and handicap-accessible.

Prior to that though, he'll need to go to a serious rehab facility for an extended stay--and guess what? Another close friend (Christine Conrad) happens to be hospital/rehabilitation consultant who specializes in this type of thing, and understands all the Medicaid-related coordinations, etc. There is one particular place we're really hoping to get him to, where one of my studio partners spent almost a year recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Scotty knows him (another musician) and is glad to have the testimonial of someone who's been there. This place is an hour north of the city but is accessible on the MetroNorth so his friends can still be there with him on a regular basis.

I hear you are hard at work organizing Hardstock! I hope you have lots of people around to help--and don't forget to delegate!

All in all, the shock is wearing off, and lo and behold, the folks surrounding your Best Man don't appear to be going anywhere. Everyone's behavior indicates that they are in it for the long haul.
Hope this finds you well.
xx

And my response back for the Lovely Miss X:

I don't even know you, but I am so happy to hear of all that you share. Scott is not only gifted to have so many incredible friends, but it is a testament to the kind of friendship he inspires that such wonderful people of such art and beauty surround him.

I was speaking with another friend of Scott's today, and he remarked how he and I had not spoken for years, and it was horrible that such an event would bring us together again.

I said it is just another example of Scott's talent for networking. He said, yeah, Scott works the big rooms now. The one on the www.

The ones that bring together people from two sides of a continent, and across oceans and I'm sure if there were artist lofts in space, he'd be there too.

Thanks for the gift of your new friendship.

I would echo that sentiment to all who choose to make this blog part of their world and day.

My thanks for the gift of your readership, and your friendship.

Dense

http://www.densemilt.com/

http://www.myconversationswithdog.com/

http://www.densemilt.comhttp//www.myconversationswithdog.com/http://www.workhardprayhardscottyhard.com/

The latest from my eyes in NYC

The latest from my eyes in NYC:

Yes, I was just there. Mr. Harding declined to be photographed today, he's in need of a shave and wasn't feeling very pretty--but he looks great, that I can report. He looks quite healthy, and his energy is very strong. Marc Joseph & his wife have planned a picnic supper in his room today, bringing fresh made panini for all who drop by. Unfortunately the lady issuing passes at the Visitor desk today is enforcing the 'only 2 in the room at a time' rule--but maybe the shift will change before the picnic at 5.
The steady stream of well wishers is quite amazing. I've reconnected with friends there that I haven't seen in ten years!
I'm typing this on my iPhone en route to my coatcheck job and here's my stop so I have to go, but tonight I'll write again & tell u more.
Keep the faith!
xx

This is much better news than what I received from the Professor the other day:

Scotty had kind of a tough day yesterday but things got sorted out. A social worker, acting w/out consultation or approval of the docs, told him he's ready to be discharged. Team Scotty sprang into action, got hold of the docs, and now his situation is more settled. But it was a little scary for a second. Some real advances are being made on the housing front.

We all need to be vigilant and concentrated in our prayers and work on behalf of Mr. Hard Stuff. Hopefully, I will have some good news in a few days on the upcoming benefits in Vancouver for Scotty.

Love

Dense

Pain breeding beauty and Circles of Compassion

An excerpt of the sermon by Dean Peter Elliott March 23, 2008 Christ Church Anglican Cathedral Vancouver BC.

What I'm noticing is that in so many ways people are coming together to care about each other in genuinely helpful ways. This Easter weekend,across the street from the Cathedral at the Hyatt Hotel, there are over 2000 members of AA groups from BC's lower mainland meeting to provide each other with support on their journey of recovery. Here at the Cathedral we seek to express our care about the homeless both through our support of projects of social housing, and in our commitment to feed the hungry. Through the commitments of many everyday hundreds of people are housed and fed through the ministries of this church. Circles of compassion extend beyond this too to reachout to those who are sick, or lonely, or in hospitals, or nursing homes: teams of Cathedral folks visit and offer healing touch or healing prayers or friendly words—all seeking to extend the good news of the Risen Christ to those in need.

A son of this Cathedral parish, Scott Harding, living in New York, working as a musician was recently in a terrible car accident: his spine is broken and he may not walk again. Being a musician he did not have health care, but his friends have come to his aid and recently held a benefit concert to raise funds to help with his medical expenses. It was successful beyond their expectations, and a friend, ( Leif Arntzen) in an email describes what happened in these words, "One of the strangely beautiful things is that…it's all somehow happening completely outside the box, commercial free, no front page pictures of bitter tears of pain, frustration and despair. Pain breeding beauty…The question begs, 'why isn't life more like this all the time?'

The answer, 'It is'."

Everyday we widen the circle of compassion that Dean Elliot speaks of. More friends join the Facebook group Work Hard Pray Hard Scotty Hard. More people read this blog, and more people are donating to the Scotty Hard Trust. http://www.scottyhardtrust.com/

Personal donations can be made directly to the Scotty Hard Trust, payable to "The Scotty Hard Trust” and sent c/o Heesok Chang, 970 Kent Ave #401, Brooklyn NY 11205.

Soon there will be a number of benefits in Vancouver for our Boy in Brooklyn. Stay tuned and put your hands together for the man they call Hard. Scotty Hard. He's been shaken, but you've been stirred.

Portait of a Hardist as a young man

Nice dome. Seriously, men with no hair would be jealous. This guy is beyond cool. Taught him everything I knew. Well some things were left unsaid. Endless discretion. The Boy from Brooklyn, not me.

The Benefit- Hardstock- Rock for a Hard Place- whatever we call it, looks to be coming together- hopefully for late April. Pencil us in, as they say.

We still have a few grey hairs to twist, but it looks promising. I jest about the grey hairs- for all I know they could be hairless. Life brings us many challenges. Receding or vanishing hairlines are not one of mine- still thick and dense like my arteries. Oh well, like I say, we all have challenges.

Mr. Scotty Hard has a few challenges, but I hear he powered his way to the hallway under his own efforts in his wheelchariot of the gods. Hammer on dude. Which nurse is on - duty calls in the day and booty calls... Well, maybe not. I'm sure he is a perfect patient, and like I said before, endlessly discreet. You would hardly know he was married 9 times and has 24 kids- some of which may be legal... Believe that, and I have an old bottle of grape wine from Virginia that I will sell as backwoods bourbon. A real kick. Never opened the stuff so I'm merely speculating for the camera.

Would Scotty drink it? Not on your life, but Glen this or Glen Mac Daddy that, and he would be all over it. Did I tell you I love this guy? Taught him everything --he always did what he wanted anyway. Have I reminded everyone to give lately? Give till it hurts then find a new way to make it hurt better.

Scotty Hard for Governor of New York- watch your ass Bloomberg, Scotty Hard is getting more popular everyday, he's coming on a wave of love. Surfin' on a riff.

Rock in a Hard Place

After fighting a fever and pneumonia, our Rock in a Hard Place now has a pulmonary edema.

Look it up, it's not a new kind of fish.

He wants to get on with the rehab, but the body is not as willing as the mind. The mind is Rock Hard. The body is still a rock in a hard place.

We all love you buddy. We're all pulling and praying for you.

blood brothers for life

Meet my best man, Mr. Scotty Hard. He is one of the great ones. When friends ask why so many people have given to the Scotty Hard Trust Fund, and why so many people are sending their love, and why so many people write me to tell me how much this guy means to them, it is for only one reason. The reason is love. Love is giving. And in his core, this is what Scott is all about. He gives. He drops everything and shows a stranger around NY. Introduces them to his friends. When he mixes a record, he not only gives you the benefit of his ears and taste, but will help connect you with anyone he knows. He is a giver, not a taker.
And in this life, there really is only the two. It is the age old battle between fear and love.
And I tell you, no matter how dark it may get, love is winning and will always win over fear.

Today is an important day in spiritual world. It doesn't matter what your belief system is. It is a day we mark the ascension, the triumph, and the fact that no matter what the small minds try to do to keep a big idea small ( for misery really does love company) love will win.
Love will rise.
Yesterday, Scott was sitting up most of the day in his wheelchair. I'm sure he's thinking about more than all those choice parking spots waiting for him. He is thinking about the pain. And he is thinking that he will not let them keep him down, because he is Scotty Hard, and his friends and family love him, and he still has the power.

Send Your Cards and Letters

Hi Dennis,

I think Scott really appreciates getting mail--he mentioned it today. If anyone wants to write, just address it to Scott Harding c/o Bellevue Hospital, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Right now he's in room 6W-46B.

Love,Xtina

A Message of Love from New York City

To Friends Of Scotty Hard

Scott continues his journey through the different floors and care units of the Bellevue Hospital system. New teams of doctors and care givers come and go as Scott moves through different phases of recovery. The Trauma Center sawbone guys are gone now for the most part. As you all know two weeks ago Scott was on his way to the rehab phase on the 6th floor. With the spinal reconstructive surgery begginning to heal, therapists even got Scott sitting up twice in a chair for brief periods. Although an enormous effort, Scott was excited and heartened to finally get out of the sack for the first time since the crash of February 16. Unfortunately, with new surroundings and new exposure to increased floor traffic, Scott contracted a nasty case of pneumonia by weeks end. This setback caused the doctors to bring Scott back up to the Trauma Center ward on the 10th floor last Friday afternoon where he could be closely monitored during treatment.

After a rough 5 days of antibiotics and other medicines, by Tuesday this week Scott had regained enough lost ground and strength to leave the Trauma Center once more, this time to the 16th floor rehab center, where he continues his recovery for the time being. As always, his spirit and good humor abound no matter what. He has a good appetite, but with the injury having so many challenges, he's also trying to abide as closely as he can by the doctors wishes to be careful with his intake. The staff in general has become much more strict in monitoring all his intake, even down to the mil of water. To this end he had to take the unusually harsh measure of instructing his friends to stop bringing too much fruit and other foods since the Jamaican nurse told him "You cannaht have de place lookin' like a mahketplayce mon". Scotty does what he's told!

In the meantime, the incredible and bewildering swell of support for Scott's situation continues. The Concert For Scotty Hard at the Highline Ballroom on Wednesday night was an unprecedented success. Organized by Liz Penta and Peter Costello, there is and will be no end to the gratitude I feel towards their effort and skill. They built some house, and the people came. Amazing. Sold out, jammed, full of love and powerful music, with a 2 hour lineup around the block waiting for people to exit so more could come in.

In 20 years of living in New York City, I've never witnessed a more exciting phenomenon then the coming together of the musicians community and their friends, family, industry colleagues, and the ever-essential fans to help a fellow music maker in trouble, the kind of trouble every one of us risks everyday by living and operating without a safety net of affordable health care. The jazz avante garde community especially.

One of the strangely beautiful things is that, like a deepest musical wish come true, it's all somehow happening completely outside the box, commercial free, no front page pictures of bitter tears of pain, frustration and despair. Pain breeding beauty. Musician or not, each in his or her own way seems to be finding the inspiration to make a difference by re-connecting with their passion for their own work.

The question begs "why isn't life more like this all the time?" The answer is, because of this concert, the reasons behind it, I think it is.For those of you unable to be at this concert, don't worry, everyone there knew that the place was jammed full of love way beyond what the walls could hold. This event was well documented both audio and visual, and will be shared with everyone when the work is done.

There's a long way to go, but it's a good road.

Leif.

Welcome to Work Hard Pray Hard Scotty Hard

Life can turn on a dime

Life can change in a second

Life can always be as powerful

as you choose to make it.

When fate comes knocking

How will you answer?

Will you choose to give?

Will you choose to take?

Robert Frost spoke once of two roads.....

The road we choose

and the road not taken

And the choice that is made at the crossroads.

How close?

It makes all the difference.