Barring the fact that two people canceled the morning of the benefit for Scott, leaving me scrambling to try and fill two unpaid for seats, the backyard supper was a smashing success. (How I wished I hadn't turned 10 others away!) We raised a nice bit of cash, even with the one empty seat, and a good time was had by all. Teri Wahl of Auntie Em's Kitchen in LA and an old friend of Scott's, came in to help Millicent out (thank god).
We managed to pull it off without anything more serious than an emergency butter run, after running through 3 pounds halfway through the meal. Anthony Nicalo of Farmstead Wines was a huge help, and kept the wine and food moving along smoothly. Thanks to everyone who participated, with a special shout out to the families of my landlord and next-door neighbors, who donated $60 just because they are nice.
Showing posts with label Scotty Hard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotty Hard. Show all posts
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Scotty Hard Supper Club Comes to Greenpoint!
As many of you know, my dear friend Scott Harding was seriously injured in a car accident on February 15 2008, and left paralyzed from the chest down. Like so many, he has no health insurance and untold costs have been incurred as he continues to work his way through rehab. Please join us for a backyard meal cooked by Millicent Souris with all proceeds going towards Scott's medical bills, and the Scotty Hard Trust.
The Place: My backyard -- Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY
The Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008. 7 PM.
The Chef: Millicent Souris, Egg
Formerly at Queen's Hideaway in Greenpoint, now at Egg in Williamsburg, and a returning judge at the annual apple pie contest at Enid's on Manhattan Avenue, Millicent Souris is famous throughout the borough for her mastery of artisanal ingredients and techniques – especially Southern-style eats, down-home pastry, and drop-dead delicious biscuits.
The Host: Susan Kowal, Visionaire Magazine.
The Menu: Assorted tea sandwiches, pig's head salad, and goose liver pate with radishes, seasonal southern-style pickles, cheese grits with fresh peas and mint, chilled melon soup, grilled apricot chicken thighs, greenmarket corn & jicama salad, and a mighty fine fresh pie.
The Wine: A selection of Old World wines from small, farm-based producers, courtesy of Farmstead Wines' Anthony Nicalo.
The Price: A suggested donation of $70. All net proceeds go to the Scotty Hard Trust.
RSVP to susanekowal (at) yahoo (dot) com. 20 seats available.
First come first served!
Want more information???
Scotty Hard Suppers
The Globe and Mail
The Place: My backyard -- Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY
The Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008. 7 PM.
The Chef: Millicent Souris, Egg
Formerly at Queen's Hideaway in Greenpoint, now at Egg in Williamsburg, and a returning judge at the annual apple pie contest at Enid's on Manhattan Avenue, Millicent Souris is famous throughout the borough for her mastery of artisanal ingredients and techniques – especially Southern-style eats, down-home pastry, and drop-dead delicious biscuits.
The Host: Susan Kowal, Visionaire Magazine.
The Menu: Assorted tea sandwiches, pig's head salad, and goose liver pate with radishes, seasonal southern-style pickles, cheese grits with fresh peas and mint, chilled melon soup, grilled apricot chicken thighs, greenmarket corn & jicama salad, and a mighty fine fresh pie.
The Wine: A selection of Old World wines from small, farm-based producers, courtesy of Farmstead Wines' Anthony Nicalo.
The Price: A suggested donation of $70. All net proceeds go to the Scotty Hard Trust.
RSVP to susanekowal (at) yahoo (dot) com. 20 seats available.
First come first served!
Want more information???
Scotty Hard Suppers
The Globe and Mail
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Scotty Hard Supper Club
I love this brilliant fundraising idea from Scott's old friend Chris Mooney. Friends can host private dinners in their own homes cooked by known chefs, with the cost paid for the meal all going to The Scotty Hard Trust. Scott is one of the bigger food queers I know, so this tie-in makes complete and poetic sense. I am working on putting on one together here in my backyard. Stay tuned for details....
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Benefit for The Scotty Hard Trust - NEW BILL
Right around the corner from home this time, it's a great (revised) rock bill next Wednesday May 28th @ Europa. Europa is located at 98 Meserole Ave @ Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Dub Trio 11:15
Two Tears (Kerry Davis from the Red Aunts) 10:45
The Brought Low 10:00
Fresh Kills 9:15
Damemas 8:30
All things considered, Scott's doing well these days. He moved from Bellevue up to the Bronx for his next stage of 6 hours-a-day-rehab two weeks ago. With steady progress, he'll be out of there in a month or so, and into his new apartment in an elevator-equipped building near friends in Bed-Stuy.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Benefit for Scott Sunday
There's no NCAA games on, so get over to Black Betty for some fine music from Big Lazy, Tandy and the always amazing Malcolm Holcombe. $20 with all proceeds going to The Scotty Hard Trust. Malcolm's from Tennessee - I've always thought of him as the country Tom Waits. Check some of his music out on his myspace page. Not sure who else is playing in Tandy, besides the talented Mike Ferrio since the loss of Drew in January but very glad to see Mike playing on.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Scott's Benefit Show
I received a play-by-play of the benefit show for Scott last night at the Highline Ballroom via text from Smitty (THANK YOU!). Sold out, with most people playing 2-3 songs, and a recorded message from Scott was played to the crowd. Very cool that people turned out in full force and raised some cash to help a brother out.
From jambands.com (may I never reference that site again):
Antibalas, Scofield, Medeski, Martin, Krasno, Evans, Laswell, The Duo and Friends Salute Scotty Hard
Last night, a number of musicians with ties to New York’s downtown music scene participated in a benefit for veteran producer Scott Harding, who was partially paralyzed after being sideswiped in a hit and run accident in February. Throughout the night, DJs Olive and Logic entertained the sold out crowd between performances, the latter DJ sporting one of Ropeadope’s new charitable “Hard Ware” t-shirts. Vernon Reid opened the evening’s festivities with a few words about his longtime friend, before joining Logic for a performance that drew in John Medeski and John Scofield for their final number. Their set segued into a short, spirited set reminiscent of MSMW tour that featured Scofield, Medeski, Club d’elf bassist Mike Rivard and Bill Martin. Immediately after, legendary dub producer/bassist Bill Laswell took the stage with a band that featured his Praxis collaborator Bernie Worrell, with whom he recently completed a series of new studio recordings.
Perhaps the evening’s most emotional moment followed, as Brian Harding led Medeski, Michael Blake and others through his brothers arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Utopia” and offered some words on behalf of his family. Soon after, jazz keyboardist Vijay Iyer won over more than a few new ears, while Sex Mob invited out a number of musicians for its segment, including Blake, Medeski and Logic.
For many, the evening’s highlight was a powerful set featuring members of the extended Soulive and Duo families. First up, Soulive’s Eric Krasno and Neil Evans played a trio set with Krasno’s longtime musical partner Adam Deitch, before handing things over to Joe Russo, Tom Hamilton and Marco Benevento for a take on The Duo’s new song, “Hey Hey Hey.” All six musicians then took the stage together for energetic instrumental Led Zeppelin medley highlighted by “The Ocean.” Finally, an ad hoc version of Antibalas closed things out with the evening’s longest set, with omnipresent saxophonist Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum, Medeski, Casey Benjamin, John Ellis and others sitting in before the benefit came to a close around 2 AM with a charged version of “Incitement.”
The night also featured some short interludes from the more rock-centric realm: two songs from Kevin Kendrick’s “A Big Yes…and a small no,” which features Kendrick’s former Fat Mama bandmates Joe Russo, Jonathan Goldberger and Jonti Siman and a horn section featuring Gastelum, and a stripped down version of American Babies that found both Russo and Hamilton playing acoustic guitar and Goldberger played pedal steel. Though unable to attend in person, Harding was there in spirit, offering both video and audio messages that confidently declared, “I’m going to beat this thing, so don’t be surprised if you find me standing by the way at a show in the next few months.” In total, the evening raised over $30,000. Please visit www.scottyhardtrust.com for more information on how to donate.
Donations can still be sent to:
The Scotty Hard Trust
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
Brooklyn NY 11205
Nice link here to a blog by a guy named hyphen, who put together his own downloadable mix of Scott's work as a tribute.
From jambands.com (may I never reference that site again):
Antibalas, Scofield, Medeski, Martin, Krasno, Evans, Laswell, The Duo and Friends Salute Scotty Hard
Last night, a number of musicians with ties to New York’s downtown music scene participated in a benefit for veteran producer Scott Harding, who was partially paralyzed after being sideswiped in a hit and run accident in February. Throughout the night, DJs Olive and Logic entertained the sold out crowd between performances, the latter DJ sporting one of Ropeadope’s new charitable “Hard Ware” t-shirts. Vernon Reid opened the evening’s festivities with a few words about his longtime friend, before joining Logic for a performance that drew in John Medeski and John Scofield for their final number. Their set segued into a short, spirited set reminiscent of MSMW tour that featured Scofield, Medeski, Club d’elf bassist Mike Rivard and Bill Martin. Immediately after, legendary dub producer/bassist Bill Laswell took the stage with a band that featured his Praxis collaborator Bernie Worrell, with whom he recently completed a series of new studio recordings.
Perhaps the evening’s most emotional moment followed, as Brian Harding led Medeski, Michael Blake and others through his brothers arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Utopia” and offered some words on behalf of his family. Soon after, jazz keyboardist Vijay Iyer won over more than a few new ears, while Sex Mob invited out a number of musicians for its segment, including Blake, Medeski and Logic.
For many, the evening’s highlight was a powerful set featuring members of the extended Soulive and Duo families. First up, Soulive’s Eric Krasno and Neil Evans played a trio set with Krasno’s longtime musical partner Adam Deitch, before handing things over to Joe Russo, Tom Hamilton and Marco Benevento for a take on The Duo’s new song, “Hey Hey Hey.” All six musicians then took the stage together for energetic instrumental Led Zeppelin medley highlighted by “The Ocean.” Finally, an ad hoc version of Antibalas closed things out with the evening’s longest set, with omnipresent saxophonist Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum, Medeski, Casey Benjamin, John Ellis and others sitting in before the benefit came to a close around 2 AM with a charged version of “Incitement.”
The night also featured some short interludes from the more rock-centric realm: two songs from Kevin Kendrick’s “A Big Yes…and a small no,” which features Kendrick’s former Fat Mama bandmates Joe Russo, Jonathan Goldberger and Jonti Siman and a horn section featuring Gastelum, and a stripped down version of American Babies that found both Russo and Hamilton playing acoustic guitar and Goldberger played pedal steel. Though unable to attend in person, Harding was there in spirit, offering both video and audio messages that confidently declared, “I’m going to beat this thing, so don’t be surprised if you find me standing by the way at a show in the next few months.” In total, the evening raised over $30,000. Please visit www.scottyhardtrust.com for more information on how to donate.
Donations can still be sent to:
The Scotty Hard Trust
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
Brooklyn NY 11205
Nice link here to a blog by a guy named hyphen, who put together his own downloadable mix of Scott's work as a tribute.
Unable to attend the benefit show for Scott Harding a.k.a. Scotty Hard in New York tonight, I decided to run a tribute show here myself. I admire the Crooklyn man a lot and love his contributions – as a musician and a producer - to dub, hip hop, drum & bass and New York Jazz. Here is a collection of music and productions he did, compiled in a fast, uncritical way. All the best Scotty. (Read the post below.)
1 Scotty Hard: Holy Dub
2 Scotty Hard: Pockets Fat (ft. Sensational)
3 Leon Lamont: Humanoid
4 Medeski, Martin & Wood : Shacklyn Knights
5 Scotty Hard: Lurking In The Shadows
6 Medeski, Martin & Wood: Start/Stop
7 Scotty Hard: Bubble In The Haze (ft. High Priest & Sayyid)
8 Scotty Hard: Scarab Medley Remix
9 Scotty Hard: Dark Blocks (ft. Sayyid)
10 Leon Lamont: Mockery
11 Medeski, Martin & Wood: In Case The World Changes Its Mind
12 Medeski, Martin & Wood: No Ke Ano Ahiahi
13 Scotty Hard: Who Said What (ft. King Cobra, Watah Mokk, Horus)
14 Scotty Hard: Sensi For Sale (interlude)
15 Scotty Hard: Raw Nerves
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Scotty: Post Surgery
Scott's healing nicely from his surgery a couple Mondays back. The bones are fusing to the metal cage placed in his back around the crushed vertebrae, and he's been moved out of the ICU into rehab to begin the next phase of recovery. He's able to sit up more and more, still with a brace but hopefully soon to go. Six or seven hours of physical therapy each day will attempt get him out of Bellevue and into his own place within a month or so, with the goal being to have him perform basic functions for himself (in and out of wheelchair, powering himself around, etc.) Positive progress continues onward!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Scott's Surgery
From Scott's friend Leif:
After a long delay in ICU since the car crash to allow Scott to regain enough strength, Scott underwent key reconstructive spine surgery on Monday, March 3rd. We've all been anxiously anticipating and hoping for completion of this essential operation as soon as possible, nobody more so than Scott, and he was greatly relieved it was finally at hand.
The operation started at 11 am, and ended at 7 pm. The operation was long, complicated, and performed by a team of 3 neurosurgeons. In conversations with the doctors immediately following the operation, we were told that the operation to rebuild went well, with no unexpected complications. They were able to rebuild the T5 vertebrae position using a metal cage system into which they packed remaining bone fragments, and fuse this "new vertebrae" to 2 remaining vertebrae above and below with a system of metal rods and screws. This will take time for the bones to "accept and take hold" of the metal. Once Scott heals from this surgery, this will allow him to be able to sit upright in a chair with greater stability to begin the next phase of his recovery. He will remain in the ICU for approximately "5 to 10 days or more" depending on his progress.
Visting is allowed in Scott's new room, but please be advised that fitful sleep remains the number 1 challenge affecting Scott's comfort, so keep visits short and low decible (5 minutes or so, unless otherwise asked).
After a long delay in ICU since the car crash to allow Scott to regain enough strength, Scott underwent key reconstructive spine surgery on Monday, March 3rd. We've all been anxiously anticipating and hoping for completion of this essential operation as soon as possible, nobody more so than Scott, and he was greatly relieved it was finally at hand.
The operation started at 11 am, and ended at 7 pm. The operation was long, complicated, and performed by a team of 3 neurosurgeons. In conversations with the doctors immediately following the operation, we were told that the operation to rebuild went well, with no unexpected complications. They were able to rebuild the T5 vertebrae position using a metal cage system into which they packed remaining bone fragments, and fuse this "new vertebrae" to 2 remaining vertebrae above and below with a system of metal rods and screws. This will take time for the bones to "accept and take hold" of the metal. Once Scott heals from this surgery, this will allow him to be able to sit upright in a chair with greater stability to begin the next phase of his recovery. He will remain in the ICU for approximately "5 to 10 days or more" depending on his progress.
Visting is allowed in Scott's new room, but please be advised that fitful sleep remains the number 1 challenge affecting Scott's comfort, so keep visits short and low decible (5 minutes or so, unless otherwise asked).
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Benefit for the Scotty Hard Trust
A huge benefit has been set up for Scott at the Highline Ballroom on March 19th. Quite an impressive roster of friends and performers can be found below. You can purchase tickets here.
$35 GA / $50 VIP Balcony / $65 VIP Floor
VIP tickets include reserved seating and an after show meet & greet with many of the musicians.
Concert starts @ 9PM, Doors open @ 8 PM
100% of proceeds will be going to the Scotty Hard Trust.
Featuring:
John Scofield
John Medeski
Billy Martin
Bill Laswell
Eric Krasno
Neal Evans
Marco Benevento
Joe Russo
Antibalas
Sex Mob
DJ Logic
John Ellis
Michael Blake
Vijay Iyer
Tommy Hamilton
Kevin Kendrick
Bio from the press release:
Vancouver native and longtime New Yorker Scotty Hard has a long and varied list of production credits, including New Kingdom, Positive Black Soul, Charlie Hunter, Barney Bentall & the Legendary Hearts, Tricky, Crooklyn Dub, Dubadelic, Bailter Space, DJ Logic, Badar Ali Khan, Sex Mob, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Material, Soul Crib, Michael Blake, Chris Brown/Kate Fenner, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Metabolics, and Organ-ized. He also engineered and mixed pioneering music by Wu-Tang Clan, Gravediggaz, Jungle Brothers, Vernon Reid, Chris Rock, Ultrmagnetic MC's, Salif Keita, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, PM Dawn, De La Soul, Boogie Down Productions, Brand New Heavies, Prince Paul, Biz Markie, Chubb Rock, Teo Macero, and others.
$35 GA / $50 VIP Balcony / $65 VIP Floor
VIP tickets include reserved seating and an after show meet & greet with many of the musicians.
Concert starts @ 9PM, Doors open @ 8 PM
100% of proceeds will be going to the Scotty Hard Trust.
Featuring:
John Scofield
John Medeski
Billy Martin
Bill Laswell
Eric Krasno
Neal Evans
Marco Benevento
Joe Russo
Antibalas
Sex Mob
DJ Logic
John Ellis
Michael Blake
Vijay Iyer
Tommy Hamilton
Kevin Kendrick
Bio from the press release:
Vancouver native and longtime New Yorker Scotty Hard has a long and varied list of production credits, including New Kingdom, Positive Black Soul, Charlie Hunter, Barney Bentall & the Legendary Hearts, Tricky, Crooklyn Dub, Dubadelic, Bailter Space, DJ Logic, Badar Ali Khan, Sex Mob, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Material, Soul Crib, Michael Blake, Chris Brown/Kate Fenner, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Metabolics, and Organ-ized. He also engineered and mixed pioneering music by Wu-Tang Clan, Gravediggaz, Jungle Brothers, Vernon Reid, Chris Rock, Ultrmagnetic MC's, Salif Keita, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, PM Dawn, De La Soul, Boogie Down Productions, Brand New Heavies, Prince Paul, Biz Markie, Chubb Rock, Teo Macero, and others.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Another Day, Another Update
Scott's surgery has been postponed until next Thursday the 6th due to a low-grade, not serious infection he is fighting off. The doctors feel it is best to wait until that is under control in a couple days before attempting to put a hunk of metal in his back. Seems like a good idea. Unfortunately, THE hot-shot back repair doctor is only available at Bellevue on Thursdays.
Scott will be in fighting shape by that time, as he's slooowly moving back to solid food, and his body should be overall stronger with a little more recuperation time from the serious trauma it was put through. A bit disappointing for sure, but one day at a time is the theme here....It's gonna be a long road.
If anyone would like to send him mail, it can go to:
Scott Harding
c/o Bellevue Hospital Center
462 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Visitors will continue to be restricted for about the next 10 days so he can get the rest he needs during this next phase of his recovery. For some positivity and reminiscing from Scott's best friend Dennis in Vancouver, check his blog here.
Scott will be in fighting shape by that time, as he's slooowly moving back to solid food, and his body should be overall stronger with a little more recuperation time from the serious trauma it was put through. A bit disappointing for sure, but one day at a time is the theme here....It's gonna be a long road.
If anyone would like to send him mail, it can go to:
Scott Harding
c/o Bellevue Hospital Center
462 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Visitors will continue to be restricted for about the next 10 days so he can get the rest he needs during this next phase of his recovery. For some positivity and reminiscing from Scott's best friend Dennis in Vancouver, check his blog here.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Scotty Hard Fund
A special needs trust has been created in Scott's name, and it's called "The Scotty Hard Fund". Any donations should be sent payable in the trust's name, to the following address:
"The Scotty Hard Trust"
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
brooklyn ny 11205
For those that wish to wire transfer funds, the trust bank account information will be sent out in a later email.
From Tom Camuso, Scott's partner: On Thursday Scott will go in for surgery to repair his spine. To prepare for this, and in the best interests of Scott's health, it's best to not receive any visits until a few days after this operation. Thank you for all your concern, cards, emails, and hockey updates, Scott greatly appreciates all the concern on his behalf, news about his many friends, and it's all made a big difference to maintaining his spirit.
"The Scotty Hard Trust"
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
brooklyn ny 11205
For those that wish to wire transfer funds, the trust bank account information will be sent out in a later email.
From Tom Camuso, Scott's partner: On Thursday Scott will go in for surgery to repair his spine. To prepare for this, and in the best interests of Scott's health, it's best to not receive any visits until a few days after this operation. Thank you for all your concern, cards, emails, and hockey updates, Scott greatly appreciates all the concern on his behalf, news about his many friends, and it's all made a big difference to maintaining his spirit.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
More on Scott
Mr. Harding is doing better. He's become more lucid, is off painkillers, and is able to sit up in a tilted bed more often, now that a week has passed since the accident. His spirits are amazingly good, and he is determined to meet the new challenges presented to him with his usual tenacity. He's refusing to let this beat him, period. As he said today, a new chapter has begun. Although it may not be the scenario for change he might have envisioned, we simply have to believe that unforeseen good and powerful things will come from such drastic change in his life.
Musician friends are meeting tomorrow at Tony Maimone's studio to brainstorm benefits, auctions, and other fund raising ideas. Thankfully, the donations have been flowing in, for costs are going to mount rapidly once he moves out of the hospital (maybe late April?) and into a rehab facility to begin the really hard work.
The kids who caused the accident have not yet been apprehended, but investigators have quite a few leads they are pursuing (Tom taking the role of Magnum/Rockford). There are several eyewitnesses, and videotapes of the entire accident are currently being compiled. (Seriously, two or three tapes exist from constantly running video cameras mounted on the outside of crazy Greenpointers' houses on that very corner)
First big move forward: surgery on Thursday.
Musician friends are meeting tomorrow at Tony Maimone's studio to brainstorm benefits, auctions, and other fund raising ideas. Thankfully, the donations have been flowing in, for costs are going to mount rapidly once he moves out of the hospital (maybe late April?) and into a rehab facility to begin the really hard work.
The kids who caused the accident have not yet been apprehended, but investigators have quite a few leads they are pursuing (Tom taking the role of Magnum/Rockford). There are several eyewitnesses, and videotapes of the entire accident are currently being compiled. (Seriously, two or three tapes exist from constantly running video cameras mounted on the outside of crazy Greenpointers' houses on that very corner)
First big move forward: surgery on Thursday.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Scott.
I received the terrible news Sunday morning that my dear friend and ex-bf Scott Harding aka Scotty Hard was in a bad car accident late Friday night. About a block after leaving his studio in Greenpoint, three kids ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed and slammed into the car service vehicle Scott was riding in.
Among other serious injuries such as a broken collar bone, some stitches, bad bruising and several broken vertebrae, Scott's spinal cord was damaged. The doctors at Bellevue have told him that the paralysis from his sternum down is likely permanent, although the full extent of his recovery is not yet certain. The first step at this early stage is stabilizing surgery on his back that will take place next Thursday.
I've been spending some days at the hospital with him, and he's doing okay, all things considered. He's fully alert, talking, remarkably good humored, cracking inappropriate jokes -- although sleeping a lot, on painkillers, and unable to eat much. The care he is receiving is excellent, as the trauma teams at Bellevue are purported to be some of the best in the nation. For now, there's a core group of us staying with him 24-7 to support his healing while keeping his many visitors to a dull roar as he starts a long road of recuperation.
Three of his closest friends (Leif, Heesok and his partner, Tom) have organized to attend to his most immediate financial, legal and health needs, with the help of Scott's many friends and family. There is a legal investigator hired by Scott's friends on the case, and there are several eyewitnesses, but as of yesterday they had not yet found the kids that ran from the car after hitting them on Meserole@Newell Street.
If there is any good news, it is that he DOES have the use of his arms and even more importantly, his ears. He can continue making mixing and producing records, making music with his incredible talent. And if anyone can find the bright side of this, I know Scott will. His genuinely good spirit and positive attitude are going to be huge assets. Just maybe, there is a new treatment or study out there that can change his diagnosis, but for now, it'll be taking things as they arise each day. He's got an amazing support system, with so many people who love him and want to help. I hope he'll be able to draw on all this strength as his life suddenly changes so very much.
That said, it is unbelievably sad, random and unfair. It's difficult to comprehend how easily everything can change in a brief instant, simply based on crap timing, with 5 seconds one way or the other making the entire difference.
Like so many today, he has no health insurance. Some of the initial costs (once there's a settlement, MONTHS away) will be born by the insurance of the car service, with details of the shows and benefits sure to come from his many musician friends and co-creators to follow as they emerge. A trust for Scott is being set up; if anyone wants to contribute donations to help with Scott's immediate financial needs including rent, mixing board payments and creditors, please send checks to:
"The Scotty Hard Trust"
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
brooklyn ny 11205
Among other serious injuries such as a broken collar bone, some stitches, bad bruising and several broken vertebrae, Scott's spinal cord was damaged. The doctors at Bellevue have told him that the paralysis from his sternum down is likely permanent, although the full extent of his recovery is not yet certain. The first step at this early stage is stabilizing surgery on his back that will take place next Thursday.
I've been spending some days at the hospital with him, and he's doing okay, all things considered. He's fully alert, talking, remarkably good humored, cracking inappropriate jokes -- although sleeping a lot, on painkillers, and unable to eat much. The care he is receiving is excellent, as the trauma teams at Bellevue are purported to be some of the best in the nation. For now, there's a core group of us staying with him 24-7 to support his healing while keeping his many visitors to a dull roar as he starts a long road of recuperation.
Three of his closest friends (Leif, Heesok and his partner, Tom) have organized to attend to his most immediate financial, legal and health needs, with the help of Scott's many friends and family. There is a legal investigator hired by Scott's friends on the case, and there are several eyewitnesses, but as of yesterday they had not yet found the kids that ran from the car after hitting them on Meserole@Newell Street.
If there is any good news, it is that he DOES have the use of his arms and even more importantly, his ears. He can continue making mixing and producing records, making music with his incredible talent. And if anyone can find the bright side of this, I know Scott will. His genuinely good spirit and positive attitude are going to be huge assets. Just maybe, there is a new treatment or study out there that can change his diagnosis, but for now, it'll be taking things as they arise each day. He's got an amazing support system, with so many people who love him and want to help. I hope he'll be able to draw on all this strength as his life suddenly changes so very much.
That said, it is unbelievably sad, random and unfair. It's difficult to comprehend how easily everything can change in a brief instant, simply based on crap timing, with 5 seconds one way or the other making the entire difference.
Like so many today, he has no health insurance. Some of the initial costs (once there's a settlement, MONTHS away) will be born by the insurance of the car service, with details of the shows and benefits sure to come from his many musician friends and co-creators to follow as they emerge. A trust for Scott is being set up; if anyone wants to contribute donations to help with Scott's immediate financial needs including rent, mixing board payments and creditors, please send checks to:
"The Scotty Hard Trust"
c/o Heesok Chang
970 Kent Ave #401
brooklyn ny 11205
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