Bill Killian Hurt His Magical hands -Time to heal!
Hello. My name is Becky Killian and I own a paint party business out of Newport called Mermaid Masterpieces... I learned everything I know about taking great care of my clients with integrity from my dad, Bill Killian. He's owned his own marine upholstery company since the late 90s. He was out of Newport for years and now has run his shop in Bristol with his wife for the past ten years. They've made the stunning custom cushions, curtains, valances etc. aboard some of the most gorgeous yachts around the world! Chances are you've even sat in one of their seats or under shade they've created, because they also do upholstery for restaurants! Clarke Cooke House, Norys, Black Pearl, 15 Point Rd. and Caleb & Broad are just a few you may have enjoyed a meal on their awesome seats! My dad also taught me about morphing in business with the times. When this pandemic hit, every single paint party of mine going a few months out was canceled, so I quickly decided to throw free paint parties twice daily with a virtual tip cup, to help me get through with no scheduled work - it worked out great! Kids were happy, parents got a few minutes to themselves and I paid my bills! #winwinwin My dad noticed that shift in helping people through the pandemic was working for me, and he realized people Need quality masks, so he invested in the best possible fabric and figured out the best and safest possible way to make and distribute masks for only $6 each - basically just for cost because they wanted people to be safe, and not go broke for their safety! My dad and Shirley (my stepmom) have been pumping out a few thousand masks the past few months, and have donated several hundred to various non profits and front line workers - they were making and distributing masks anywhere from 10-15 hours a day, every day....until 3 weeks ago Shirley went out for a roller blade, hit a pebble wrong and ended up having a compound fracture, with bone coming out of her arm - YIKES! She needed emergency surgery, so it's just been my dad making the masks for the past few weeks while she handles what she can with her healing fracture...not ideal but they knew they need to just go with it, so they did! Well, all three of us have been working unbelievably hard to help people in this pandemic, me through art and them with safety, so yesterday we decided to treat ourselves, stop working for an hour to enjoy a nice relaxing lunch - it was lovely and so deserved for all three of us!! We all left so happy, and as they were driving home, running errands, my dad pulled out on to a main road in Bristol, going approximately the speed limit (ok, 5 over)... A man in a big truck didn't think that was fast enough so he road really close to the back of my dad's little car honking. My dad pulled into a parking lot to get the guy to pass... But the guy followed him, jumped out of his car and started to approach my step mother's window. At this point my dad jumped out of the car to get him away from his wife. The man screamed at my dad about going too slow then out of no where this approx 35 year old man sucker punched my 65 year old dad in the jaw. My dad flew backwards and slammed to the concrete ground landing on his back and head, mangling a knee too. Here's where things get crazy. My dad, an army war vet, black belt in karate, bouncer in the 70s, merchant marine through the 80s...he some how jumped back on his feet quickly as the guy was climbing back in his truck to just leave...my dad grabbed the man's shirt to get him to stay for the police to come (as step mom was calling them)... The man in the truck slammed my dad's hands in the door repeatedly until my dad finally ripped the guys shirt off to give the cops for evidence at this point, and the guy zoomed off. Leaving my 65 year old dad standing in a parking lot, bleeding, potential brain trauma, definitely a concussion, jaw out of wack, extreme pain in his back and knee, absolutely stunned... But the worst part? His Magical hands - destroyed. My dad not only creates beautiful upholstery with those hands that need to be nimble and quick, but he's also one of the most gifted guitar players you'll ever hear. He will be able to gently play guitar once a week on Sunday afternoons at Greenvale Vineyards through the summer - but he's not going to be able to make anything on a sewing machine for a while, this only happened yesterday - so we're not sure of how quickly he will heal (but he needs to REST them for a few weeks so they can completely heal!)... Unfortunatly due to his wifes fracture, she can't run a machine either! ...and I might be able to paint - but I can't sew to save my life.... And they have no other employees! Ahhhh! My dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital and my step mom called me to let me know while she filled out the police report and while they were finding "the guy"... I rushed to the ER and walked in lightly crying and asked if they could just let me know if he's gonna be OK.. Some how I magically was allowed to safely go in the room for 5 minutes to calm him down. I've never seen him so upset. Beat red. Puffy eyes. The nurse gave us privacy to talk... And he asked if my step mom told me what happened... I said yes. But, since he's exactly like me with this stuff, he started to tell me the story from his point of view with his voice cracking...I carefully laid my head on his chest so I didn't hurt him, and put my arm around him and gave him a hug while he's still telling me how scary and awful and painful it all is and was... Then he burst into tears. I'm 37 and have never seen him even have his eyes well up. After we both had a good cry, I had to go back outside and wait. His cat scans showed no bleeds or anything, thank God... But his hands, or should I say "work tools" are not ok!! They're totally mangled. My dad was very apprehensive for me to do this, he doesn't want to bother anyone with his problems! However, when I was a kid, I was raised watching him do gigs with his bands every weekend... And that man has thrown and worked countless fundraisers for every cause imaginable through the years...and right now, he is the one who needs some help. Please. I need my dad to stop, rest his body and relax his soul from that horrifying trauma of yesterday - and not have to feel immense stress about about how he's going pay his bills for a month or two...because otherwise - he'll try to get back into working too early, which will cause perminant damage or worse. It's the worst time to throw up a Go Fund Me. I'm sorry. I'm honestly so embarrassed that I can't just take care of him... I wish I could. Despite all of the scary pandemic stuff and now the dangerous rioting, I am feeling so thankful that this place is still filled with so much good. The acts of kindness that I've witnessed the past 13 weeks have overflowed my faith in humanity cup...so I figured, it can't hurt to ask... Right? Right! Anything helps. I honestly think even a few bucks would make him feel less vulnerable and alone...sometimes all you need is words of encouragement and to know your friends know what's up and have your back...ya know? Thank you SO MUCH for getting your far, if you know me, you know I'm long winded... And I wanted to make sure I got everything without embarrassing my number one dad. Money raised will go towards: - Medical bills - All the monthly housing bills (gas, water, electricity, rent etc) - food - car payment /insurance /gas - cell phone bill - any other responsible unforseen bill that may come up. - if he heals up faster than anticipated, and is able to fully return to work (without him jumping the gun) and there is any remaining balance of donated funds, it will be donated to another reputable cause. Thank you SO MUCH for taking your time and reading this, I typed this with so much raw emotion, still left over fresh from yesterday. Please help me help my dad get back to his Rockstar self. Yesterday was too scary for me. All from road rage. Ugh. As a thank you to you, I will be throwing a virtual step by step paint party just for you guys some time in July. Please check out and like Facebook.com/mermaidmasterpieces for updates on that!! Thank you. I love you. So does my dad. Keep bein awesome!