The Recovery of an Artist

Andrés San Millán was born in the Basque Country of Spain. He arrived in NYC in 1983 to study modern dance, where he met and married Marguerite. Together they moved to Rhinebeck, NY to raise their four children, as well as their newly formed non-profit Cocoon Theatre. For the last 36 years the company has enriched their home and surrounding communities in a myriad of artistic ways, through the generous support of the Samuel H. Scripps Foundation, their members, students, audiences, and the rich artistic organizations and individuals in the Hudson Valley.

Currently housed in Poughkeepsie, NY since 2017, Andres’ spectacular creations have enlivened Poughkeepsie’s yearly Festival of Lights Parade. Andrés has devoted himself to working with local organizations including Arc of Dutchess, Poughkeepsie City School District, and Hudson River Housing. His current efforts have been spent imagining the ambitious Wheaton Park Bridge.

The magnitude of Andrés’ generosity of spirit, effervescence, and devotion to his community is profound, but is strangely quiet at this moment.

On Friday, February 19, after presenting his Wheaton Park Bridge vision to a Poughkeepsie City Council meeting in an effort to save the area from development, Andrés fell gravely ill and was rushed to Vassar Brothers ER. The next day he was transferred to a hospital in Manhattan. Throughout the following week he underwent two emergency heart and lung surgeries to remove blood clots. This all came as a complete shock to his family and friends because Andrés is a notoriously healthy and vital person. The surgeries were successful and his recovery is an amazement to both surgeons and his entire medical team. The cause is still unknown and not Covid-related. No brain damage is evident, and the process begins now to seek for answers. On March 10 he was surprisingly transferred to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Center upstate, where he is now in a new phase of his recovery process, growing stronger and more independent each day.

His family has been traveling to be by Andrés’ side and speak to specialists each day. With COVID conditions, visits are only one at a time so they have had to take turns seeing him daily. As you may imagine, this presents a strain on them, and will present a challenging financial situation during his lengthy recovery. All proceeds of the gofundme will go towards the family as they begin to navigate his medical bills and long-term care.

With such an outpouring of support, and so many people wishing to help, a new GoFundMe goal of $20,000. has been established. The family has yet to receive any bills, yet much paperwork is in the process. The family is humbled and grateful for any support which will go to his care.

We are asking that you contribute what you can for our neighbor, friend, collaborator, mentor, father, husband, and leader. We ask that you consider the inspirational spirit of Andrés San Millán’s generosity and respond in kind.

Please keep Andrés in your prayers and thoughts

Respectfully,
Wheaton Park Bridge