Sunday, August 21, 2011

Update

A lot of people have been asking if I've heard from Neil and how he's doing. It's been over a week since I've talked to his mom so I really didn't know but today I got a text from Neil and, um, I think I'll just transcribe it here.

2day Is The First Day I Can Really Focus, yes I want 2, & Work-n Real Hard To Get It Back 2gether! TELL EVERY 1 OUT THERE THAT I LOVE MY FAMILY OUT THERE & DON'T EVER WANT 2 KNOW WHAT IT WOULD B LIKE WIT OUT U! FROM A BLESSED MAN!

These Stages of Heal-n R Crazy Nerve Reck-n! Have Another Doctor Visit Monday So We R Get-n Better 4Sho! THANKZ SO MUCH 4 UR SUPPORT! REALLY NEEDED HELP & U GUYZ WERE RITE THERE! Who Could Ask 4 MORE

Tell Mom & DAD THANKZ & LUV, I WILL SEND THEM A SHOUT


ps Yay!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Thank you to so many people from this year's tour and from many years past who are SHOWING UP for Neil. Thank you to Rose for walking around and asking everyone and gathering up the gifts. And thank you to Graham and several others who generously made a huge difference in one fell swoop. Y'all have some big hearts.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Donate

Donations can be sent to Neil Wilson or Annie Wilson at:

3193 Church St.
East Point, GA 30344

Thank you!

The smile.

The story

You guys, our friend needs help.

I got off the phone with Neil's mom, Annie, yesterday in shock. Neil can't come back to work this summer. He and the doctors are battling to control the pain he's in and he's in danger of losing sight in his right eye. Without an income, he's being cared for by his mom who's on disability herself. He's been in and out of the emergency room and has seen generalists and specialists. He has to take expensive medication, pay the rent, and doesn't have insurance.

WHAT HAPPENED?

During our first week of shows in California, Neil got a rash above his eye. We sent him to urgent care where he was diagnosed with ringworm and folliculitis, a diagnosis that was, incidentally, complete bullshit. Two days later he woke up to a stabbing pain in his head that was so overwhelming that we went to the ER. There he was told that he has shingles centered in his eye.

Neil took a break from work, rested in Los Angeles, and was treated by an ophthalmologist who didn't think his cornea would be damaged. He went home to Atlanta to rest further and make sure he wasn't contagious when he rejoined the tour. Since going home it's gone from bad to worse and he's now struggling with complications.

Shingles can be mild or severe but they are notoriously painful. Despite the antiviral medication and pain medication Neil's been on, he's dealing with postherpetic neuralgia which causes spasms of pain that are totally incapacitating. The inflammation in the cornea, retina, and optic nerve can lead to scarring and blindness.

My concern, in addition to his sight, is how he and his mom are going to cover the bills. They're working on getting insurance but don't know when it will go through and how much it will cover. Because he can't come back to tour, he has no income. Because he doesn't have insurance yet or a regular doctor, he's been passed around from one to another, none of whom are cheap.

CAN YOU HELP?

If you've worked with Neil or know and love Neil, please consider pitching in. This illness is frightening and depressing. It'll take time for him to recuperate and the last thing he and his family needs is the stress of mounting bills.

Thank you xx love xx