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Tom Watson benefit show at Oregon Express
Let me introduce you to the courageous and creative Tom Watson. He is a graphic design graduate from University of Dayton, an accomplished journalist who has published his own zines, and an involved local music fan who has booked and promoted his own shows.
On March 17th, 2005, Tom suffered a massive brain stem stroke while attending class at UD. He was not expected to survive and if he did the doctors told him he would be a quadriplegic.
Tom did survive and went through a long process of physical rehab, relearning how to feed himself, write, walk, talk, and eventually to drive a car. He then suffered a year of post-traumatic depression, muscle spasms, and difficulty with walking.
Defying the odds, Tom is now living a complete life with his wife Elizabeth who stuck by his side through the entire horrifying episode.
Tom’s story has a happy ending, almost.
At the time of the stroke Tom had only student health insurance that did not cover his accumulated hospital bills. He turned to public aid, but did not qualify because he was doing too well with his rehab. If he would have not progressed so quickly then he may have been covered.
Tom is now buried under debt and with no place to turn for the money his friends within the local music community stepped in to help. This Saturday, December 16th, at the Oregon Express will be the Tom Watson Benefit show. Performing will be My Latex Brain, Nicky Kay and his Kay Tones, Joe Anderl and the Universal Walkers, and Oxymoronatron.
All the proceeds from the show are going to help pay for Tom’s medical debt. For more info or to donate to Tom’s medical fund visit myspace.com/tomwatsonbenefitshow or www.thechickenspeaks.com.
I chatted with Tom and here is what he said.
KN - Do you consider yourself lucky or unlucky?
TW - I guess a little of both. I’m lucky that I survived. I’m lucky I am once again able to walk and drive a car. I can speak clearly now too. I’m lucky to have my new wife, Elizabeth, who stuck with me even when she was told that I’d probably be a quadriplegic for the rest of my life. I’m lucky my family and friends and the faculty at UD’s Fine Art department were so supportive and visited me in the hospital. I also feel unlucky that this happened to me in the first place. As I’ve said many times, I wouldn’t wish my experience upon my worst enemy. It is horrible to be fully conscious during a stroke knowing that you are dying.
KN - You will be selling your amazing art pieces you did. The art includes a backdrop of your actual MRI from the stroke; how did you come up with that idea?
TW - I was in my final art classes at UD when I began the “Stem/ReAssemblage” silkscreen/multimedia series. I had been exploring the stroke experience through my art, sort of like self-directed art therapy. The stem images in the pictures are my actual left artery where the stroke started. They will be on sale for $30 bucks at the show. These pictures to me symbolize how my whole being had been torn up and how I was able to put it back together.
KN - Are you trying to turn any heads politically about the way the Medicare system is set up?
TW - I hope so. I certainly want to get people to realize that our system is messed up. I found through my own frustrating experiences that because I was able to walk within a year, I performed too well to get any government aid. Their requirement is that you must be permanently disabled or severely disabled for a year or more to qualify. Unfortunately this doesn’t allow for anyone who is temporarily disabled. I think there needs to be better resources for people in situations like me.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Dayton Local Music
Comments
By Tom Watson III
December 15, 2006 2:21 AM | Link to this
Hmmm, I compared the weblink I posted and it is the correct one to begin with….so, uh, thanks for the help. I certainly appreciate the enthusiasm and look forward to your rockin’ this Saturday night! AWESOME!By RobotX5
December 13, 2006 8:14 AM | Link to this
I think the web address is http://www.thechickenfishspeaks.com/ not http://www.thechickenspeaks.com/ also Oxymoratron is ready to rock.By Tom Watson III
December 11, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Kris! This is a great piece and although it is shortened from my original answers, I think it was well edited to the essential information. As you requested, here’s the link to the Dec 16th OE show info. For anyone reading, please come out and see some great local music, look at my art pieces and support a good cause. For information about the December 16th benefit show, go to: http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=132881.87088 View some of the donated art for sale here: http://www.thechickenfishspeaks.com/benefitartwork.htm Donations for the Tom Watson Benefit Medical Fund will be accepted at the show and online via PayPal at top right of the MySpace page. To donate online go to: http://www.myspace.com/tomwatsonbenefitshow