Help Jim Byrne, Theatre Designer and Educator

Hello, Cape and Islands Theatre Friends,

Thank you all! Jim has asked for me to post the following update regarding his progress:

FROM JIM: I want to thank everyone for their support and kind words. It has been quite an ordeal. After almost 4 weeks ( 2 weeks in excruciating pain)in the hospital, I am currently at home and recuperating. Thank God for the nurses, I wouldn't have made it without their help. They are the heroes of this story.

I had a MRSA infection and a streph grade A infection and a staph infection in my blood. My right hand was swollen like a red lobster claw and was completely immovable. The Infections have been eliminated. (With the help of a lot of antibiotics)The doctors and I are waiting for the inflammation to recede so that I can begin physical therapy. After 5 weeks I can finally begin to wiggle my fingers!! That is progress! Until the inflammation is down, we won't know about nerve damage or how much dexterity I will recover. But things look good and I am improving every day. Growing stronger.



This ordeal has really made me reflect upon having a disability in this world. It has opened my eyes to the difficulties people with disabilities have to simply survive, live and thrive in this society. It's been quite an eye-opening experience. We all need to open our eyes to the struggles of our fellow beings. And make this world more accessible. That's my takeaway.

Once again, thank you all for your outpouring of love.

Jim Byrne needs our help. For those of you that know him, you are aware of his tireless dedication to the theatre, his incredible ingenuity and talent, and love for his craft, the children he teaches, and the people he works with.

On Saturday, June 24th, Jim became suddenly ill with a serious bacterial infection, losing the ability to use his right arm, and has been in the hospital ever since. Jim is yet to be released, faced with additional hospital time, and a long recovery ahead. Jim works primarily as a technical and scenic designer, and his income is dependent upon his ability to work physically. Jim will have great difficulty affording mounting medical bills without financial assistance.

To know Jim is to love him, and for those of you that do, there has never been a more crucial time to offer your support. For those of you whose lives have been touched by the theatre, by Jim or someone like him, if you can contribute, know that you are paying it forward.

Thank you.