Stand with Steve: Walk on

On June 3, 2024, journalist and author Steve Baltin’s life changed in an instant. That morning he woke up with slurred speech. Hours later, after finishing a Zoom interview with Glass Animals, he was rushed to the hospital—where doctors confirmed he had suffered a stroke.

The stroke left the entire right side of his body paralyzed. After three months in the hospital, Steve began the long process of relearning to walk, move, and rebuild his life. More than a year later, he is able to work fully while seated at a computer where he does interviews, both written and for his podcast, In Service Of, which is all about giving back, but is still working on regaining his mobility, and, as a result independence.

After a fully active life which includes teaching tennis and playing basketball for years he is now walking primarily with a walker and is unable to drive himself at all.

As a result, even the most mundane tasks, like shopping for himself, going out to eat and Doctor's appointments are a Herculean all-day task if even possible.

And things like going to shows and navigating crowds and walking are now like hiking Mt Everest. For a person who used to do this regularly.

This is, as you can imagine, maddeningly frustrating for someone used to complete freedom physically.

He has accepted his tennis days may be over, but he'd love to regain enough physical autonomy to at least be able to take care of a dog again and walk a dog and see friends without it being as strenuous and tiring as running a marathon.

After a year of trying to fight with and negotiate with the American health care system for proper physical therapy and assistance, he needs to pay for private PT before too much time has passed to strengthen the muscles and retrain his brain and right leg.

Private PT will be a minimum of 10,000 dollars. For someone who lived an active life—playing tennis, traveling constantly, and interviewing artists around the world—it has been a humbling, frustrating journey.

Steve’s biggest wish now is simple: to regain enough strength to live independently again, and even walk a dog of his own. To make this possible, he urgently needs private physical therapy. Insurance has denied or delayed support, and too much time has already passed.

The cost: at least $10,000 for the next six months, plus additional expenses like ongoing doctor visits, transportation (he cannot drive), and lost wages during recovery.

That’s why we are raising $25,000 to cover his recovery. Every contribution—big or small—will directly support Steve’s rehabilitation and help him rebuild his independence.

For those who may not know Steve by name, you’ve likely read his words. Over the years, he has written for Rolling Stone, The LA Times, Forbes, Billboard, Variety, and more, and currently hosts the iHeart podcast In Service Of. Here are a few of his beloved stories:

'A Love Supreme ' at 60 Musicians celebrate the timeless work of jazz genius - Los Angeles Times

Sunday Conversation John Mellencamp On Songwriting, Springsteen And Why He Is ‘The Luckiest Man’

Dave Grohl Brendon Urie The Doors And More Pick The Saddest Song Of All Time

Joni Mitchell Returns With Epic All-Star Celebration at the Gorge

Steve has given so much to the world through his writing and voice. Now, he needs our help.

Thank you for standing with him on this journey of healing and recovery.

"I am so thankful to have such a strong support system. Thank you to everybody that stood by me and continues to do so" - Steve