Please Help Darryl Keith Pugh sing again! Overcome Aphasia

Please Help Darryl Sing Again

Overcome Aphasia Due To Stroke

Let me tell you a little bit about my husband, Darryl Keith Pugh. First of all, I would like to say, he is a musician, and he has been playing music since he was five years old, when he got his first set of drums. He chose to make a career in music. It was all natural talent. He would hear a song and be able to play it on guitar right away. He has been playing professionally, his whole life. I feel Darryl has given you, his voice and talent, including his heart and soul for over 40 years. When he performs it is with everything he has. Please help him get his voice back and concentrate on getting well with less financial stress and more dignity.

He has had many bands, and made several records and has played solo in this area and across the country. He played in Nashville for a time, but chose to stay closer to home to not miss his children growing up.

His world is music, but on March 12, 2024 Darryl suffered a stroke. It was a left frontal hemmoragic stroke, which affected mostly speech and language skills. He had also lost mobility on his right side, but from the minute he got out of rehab, he started playing the drums and guitar. He has regained the mobility on his right side, and the technical term for what he suffers from is called aphasia. This means for him he can understand everything, but can’t express or speak his thoughts. His facial muscles and mouth have been affected also. This is so frustrating for a singer and songwriter. His life as he knew it before, in an instant, was taken away. He is currently in therapy and being seen by many doctors and specialists.

Some of you might remember about nine years ago, Darryl had oral cancer. After a 12 hour surgery, which removed part of his jaw and his teeth, and having other procedures, he came through that,cancer free. We thought he would never sing again, but he did. It was not easy for him, and he was in constant pain, but he sang for hours at gigs.

This last year has been doubly hard for his mental well-being. So many people have died. Good friends, his best friends, family! He feels very alone. His brother, Bob, and sister-in-law Marie, along with longtime friend, Danny Spencer, James, Sampson, Dennis Brown, first ex-wife, Linda, and just recently, John McGovern, who played bass with him, and was a good friend, all gone. And we can’t ever forget Lily, our yellow lab , baby girl, who died of diabetes about a year ago.

Currently, Darryl is not able to perform. This is the goal he hopes to reach. he gave everything he had to every performance for the love of his craft. Please find it in your hearts to help Darryl through this. He is also in need of reconstructive surgery to give him teeth again so he can swallow and eat properly. This is an extremely expensive procedure, and mostly not covered by insurance. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Even if you’re not able to contribute and believe me, we do understand, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. This is very important to Darryl. He strongly believes in the power of prayer and his faith has gotten him through some very rough times. Just listen to some of his music like Blessed, which he wrote a few years ago or Are you home another one of his songs. I hope you have heard them or get to hear them.

At this time, the medical bills are starting to come in, and I am asking our village for help. It is hard for me to do this, but I see no other way. I am a person who has a hard time asking for help with both of us collecting Social Security now it puts us just over the limit for special help. We have Medicare because of age, but it doesn’t pay for everything to continue his care so he can speak and sing again and keep him healthy. I am asking for your kindness by helping us out a bit. Any contributions will go to his care, his medical bills, and future therapy and caretaking.

We love you all and wish you peace and health. Darryl wants you all to know how hard he is working on getting better and how hopeful he is. Thank you for your kindness, compassion and understanding. And thank you for taking the time to read this.

Love , Michele