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Help disabled man achieve his dream

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My name is Thomas Hemingford. I'm raising money for a friend so he can achieve his very personal dream, whilst he is still able to do so.

He's a disabled man, who happens to be a talented musician. He wishes to write and record some songs for his wife and children - something they can remember him by in years to come.

Anyone who helps will be transforming the life of a man who suffers with pain 24-7.


He's called Darren, and you can read more about him (and his diary entry) via the blog entry link below:


http://innervoice2011.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/a-day-in-the-life-of/


I'd really like to do something to help Darren if I can. It's incredibly frustrating, though, as I'm limited myself by disability, not to mention being the 24-7 carer of my own dear wife.


Recently, Darren has been looking at how we could write and record some songs and music. Darren has always been into music, and played guitar and keyboard from being very young. He was taught when he was younger too.


However, Darren's disability is getting worse and in around two years time, he won't be able to play anymore at all.


Aside from his family,  his passion has always been music.

He has a passionate and profound ambition to write and record some songs whilst he still can. He is a very gifted songwriter and I would love to be able to help enable him to fulfill his dream.


I can totally sympathize with his race against time and disability; he, like many others, won't have a long and healthy life. His condition is progressive and degenerative.


He has wanted to do this for years. But when he was younger, fitter and able to work, all of his efforts went into working and providing for his family. He was very successful.


When his disability worsened, he found he couldn't work as much. Eventually, he had to stop altogether.


Over time, he watched all the fruits of his labour vanish "“ his house, car, holidays, savings.


It's upsetting for me personally too, as pretty much the same

thing happened to us. It's awful, and it makes you wonder what the point was?


But Darren gave up his music to do the right thing. He put his family and work above his own passions. He worked hard and long hours, missing out on time with family and friends, socializing and hobbies, just to bring home the bread.


That is selflessness.


His very limited and fixed income make saving very difficult, despite his best efforts.


He has significant costs due to his disability. I do too, but his far exceed mine. I think most people would be shocked at how high the extra costs are that many people with disabilities face.


I have given him a little money to help but can't afford to give him more. I want to, I really do, and I was planning too but I couldn't really afford to give him what I did. I had to not pay a bill to do it. I have to confess, it would take me months and months to save a tiny amount, as we too have a limited, fixed income.


I've looked on the internet myself now at music equipment and instruments. I didn't have a clue really before. It's quite expensive, and you need a reasonable quality guitar with a solid top for recording, plus a case, strap, mic, cables, audio interface, preamp, and something to record on and with.


He needs to buy something as soon as possible, though, as he is up against time. I know he'd save and save for years but he doesn't have the years. That thought has terrified me, so I don't know how he copes with it.


I'd like to help him get what he needs to write and record some songs. He sees this as his legacy, something very special and personal that he can share but also leave behind in the world for his wife, children and the grandchildren he may never meet. In many ways, it has kept his spirits up and kept him going.


Music and songwriting is in his blood. I think when someone has a talent, though, a gift, they shouldn't be denied the chance to do something with it just because of disability and time constraints placed upon them through no fault of their own. I'd find it quite scary to imagine that I'm alone in that thinking.


But having also read some of Darren's diary entries, I'd also like to be able to help him do something (or buy something) nice for his wife. I can totally relate here, though I think Darren's wife has far more to do throughout the day every day than I do because of the nature of his disability and how badly it affects him. She is a full-time carer to Darren, as well as being a housewife, wife, and mother of three children. All the usual aspects of parenthood but with much more.


I don't know how to begin helping. He's like me: disabled, unable to work, can't get loans, credit etc, despite paying lots into the pot when we were younger and able to work.


Darren's musical and songwriting abilities will soon be consumed by his disability. He has genuine talent, and it would be so awful for him to not be able to do this.


He's been denied so much through disability in his life, with worse to come. He shouldn't be denied this.


I wrote an additional blog (which Darren didn't know about at the time). You can read this here http://innervoice2011.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/how-can-i-help/


I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I have to try to help somehow.


All donations go directly to Darren. I know times are hard for everyone, but if you wish to donate, please give as much or as little as you are comfortable with.


Thank you for reading this and helping a wonderful man and  talented musician to achieve his dream.


I am more determined than ever to try to help him raise the money needed to buy the gear he needs and achieve his dream. This means so much to him. I know he feels really bad and guilty because of his disability. That he can no longer help his wife around the house with jobs, go out to work, play out with the kids, take them out or go places. They've not had a holiday for many, many years.

There's so many things he is just unable to do, and few left which he can, which is why the guitar and recording is important. He also feels bad because it means that, for most of the time, they can't go out and do things as a family due to his care needs and how his disability affects him. He feels bad because they miss out on things week in week out.


I think, though, it would be great if he could treat his wife and children to something nice too.


I am appealing unashamedly for help.


I'd appreciate to hear from anyone who might be able to help with some room treatment or recording equipment.


If anyone would like to donate directly (ie not via this site), then please contact me and I'll give you the details etc.


If there are any music companies, music shops/stores or musicians out there who might be able to help, it would be greatly appreciated.


Please contact me via Twitter at @THemingford or via email at [email redacted]


If any can help or donate, please, please do so. Every bit will help.


I am appealing for donations and any help. Anything helps, every little helps, and if anyone reading this can help at all, you will be doing something very special that will mean so much to this man and his family.


Thank you so much for reading this.


Organizer

Thomas Hemingford
Organizer

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