Rock for Rich

Hi Everyone. We have a GoFundMe account for our amazingly fantastic friend, Rich Barrett. Some of you know Rich as your favorite Rock Zone and Backstage bartender from the 80s and 90s, and he has been a brother to most of us ever since. For the last 20-plus years, he has been with Deep South Productions as the lead of their lighting department, and if you have ever seen one of his shows, you know it's an incredible experience.

Unfortunately, Rich has been recently diagnosed with ALS, (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This is a terminal illness, and there is no cure. According to the doctors, Rich is about four years in with a 4-5 year life expectancy. This means he has around a year. Of course, if you know Rich, he will fight this illness. However, this is a disease with no cure, and it is incredibly costly, even with insurance.

This is a critical fundraiser. Rich has a minor child that lives with him. He is fortunate to have Dawn Sanders to help physically care for him and his son. Still, financially, this is a crisis situation between medical expenses, a deteriorating body, and his minor child to be taken care of in the current and future. Medical expenses are not just prescriptions and doctor's appointments; Rich will need extensive medical equipment now and in the future. It will be imperative for him. If you don't know the extreme debilitation of this disease, I encourage you to look it up.

I (Jennifer) lost my stepdad to ALS. I will now lose a lifelong friend, a brother, who has been there for me when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I know, just like me, Rich has been there for so many of you too. I've heard stories from friends that have all experienced the blessings this man has given over the years. So now is the time to give back to him. Please reach into your hearts and share what you can to support our beautiful friend. He doesn't deserve this; no one does. If there is one thing I know, no one wants to have to ask for help, but that at certain times in life, it is what must be done.

Thank you,

Jennifer Schmitz