Iconic Songwriter Carl D’Errico Needs Your Help

Iconic songwriter Carl D’Errico, who influenced an entire generation with his rebellious anthem “It’s My Life” (and I’ll do what I want) is now in need of your help to get HIS life back on track.

Carl and his wife Didi are facing hard times with multiple health issues. Carl has arthritis in his knees, glaucoma, and prostate problems. Didi has cancer that doesn’t respond to chemotherapy or radiation.  It’s in the form of a tumor at the base of her spine called a chordoma. It causes numbness in her leg.

Carl just had prostate surgery. Once he heals, he’ll get physical therapy right away. A good physical therapist can help with his knees and walking. Carl still writes music and plays the piano daily, but he’d find it a lot easier with less knee pain.

Didi has just begun working with Sloan Kettering and the Chordoma Foundation. People with this cancer do get better and doctors have told her to expect at least a year of treatment. When the tumor shrinks enough to stop pressing on a nerve, Didi will be able to walk again. She too will get right into physical therapy. Didi is an actress and artist in her own right and wants to get back into doing commercial and print work.

The largest threat for Carl and Didi right now is the cost of home health care aides. Together they receive two small Screen Actors Guild pensions, Social Security, Medicare, and occasional royalties from Carl’s music, but they still fall short on their expenses. Medicare does not cover home health care aides and their combined monthly cost is in excess of $6K. Their bank account is just about depleted.

Once either Carl or Didi (or both of them) are on their feet, they can begin reducing the hours they pay for aides. Currently their aides assist with getting them in and out of bed and chairs, bathing, taking them to medical appointments, shopping for food, and preparing their meals.

I’ve been blessed to know Carl and Didi for most of my adult life. I met them both in 1989, Didi on the set of a movie and Carl at a music workshop. It turned out we lived only a few blocks apart in Manhattan and since then we’ve been the best of friends. There’s not one person I’ve met who doesn’t like either of them. They are the most generous people I know. They’ve come to my rescue numerous times, in numerous ways. I can’t begin to add up the hours and energy they’ve spent helping people over the years, including artists and children.

Didi formed a nonprofit called Didi Art Angels. It’s now defunct but the website still exists at didiartangels.org  . Please go to her website and check out her magnificent artwork. Didi’s goal with her nonprofit was to brighten the lives of children in drab, dreary hospital units and kids in drab, dreary elementary schools She provided them with vibrant, cheerful, animated art that a kid would love. She created numerous paintings, murals, and other pieces of art that she entirely donated. Most of the time she and Carl purchased the supplies needed for these projects as they both were extremely committed to the cause.

Below is a photo of Didi with her kids at PS 7 in Harlem, working on their star project. Above is a photo of Carl in front of his Its My Life gold record and a painting of Didi's.

Trust me, you would already feel like old friends if you met Carl and Didi. I ask you to please help with their rehabilitation. Any amount would be so appreciated, you have no idea.