Friday, July 6, 2007

Computers For Quads.


Just got this from Illinois blues website email. There is an important fundraiser going on this Sunday in Morton Illinois. If you are in the area come and show your support.


Dear Blues Fans and Friends,

I rarely feel an event is worthy of sending to you outside of the weekly Blues Blast newsletter. This one is near and dear to my heart.

This Sunday there is a benefit in Central Illinois that I personally put together. It is for a friend but he needs nothing except you to help him help others. The benefit is for the Not for Profit corporation Computers for Quads. Computers for Quads was founded by ALS patient , Tom "Slider" Nelson. Tom was a member of the Central Illinois band the Flying Drito Brothers. He is a retired Illinois Central College psychology professor turned professional dobro player and mandolinist.

Tom was stricken with ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease in 2001. ALS is a neuromuscular disease that causes victims to progressively lose the use of their muscles. Tom is completely paralyzed by the disease, has totally lost the use of his limbs and extremities and is on a respirator which breathes for him.

Toms mind is not damaged at all from the disease and he still communicates with his laptop and a pair eyeglasses that has a camera on them. The camera follows his eyes and he can blink to choose letters on his laptop computer screen. He blinks out letters to form words, then the computer will communicate the words for him.

Tom currently resides in California with his daughter. He built the Computers for Quads (C4Q) website himself using his eyes to program html code. Check out this website at: http://www.c4q.org It is a testament to this paralyzed man's will to help others!

Computers for Quads helps other quadriplegics get laptops and special equipment so they too can continue to be a person with an identity and communicate with others. This first annual fundraiser is an effort to get C4Q.org funds for an inventory of laptops for quadriplegic clients. PLEASE HELP!

If you are within driving distance of Central Illinois, please try to make this event. We have great music (A good portion of it Hot Blues), good food and drink and some great raffle items to help raise money for this cause. If you are too far away thanks for your patience in letting me communicate this and I ask you to please check out the website http://www.c4q.org and consider donating. Details of the event are below.

Thank You!

Bob Kieser
IllinoisBlues.com

Computers For Quads

Music Benefit

Sunday July 8, 2007 Noon to 10:00pm
Paddy O'Flaherty's Irish Pub & Eatery
Banquet Room, Best Western Ashland House
201 Ashland Ave, Morton, IL

Just off I-74 near Ruby Tuesday's
309 266-6919

Featuring:

Noon Nate Kieser & Kevin Smith w/special guest Brian Stear

1:15pm Dave McDonald & Friends

2:30pm The Bill Porter Project

3:45pm Flying Drito Brothers

5:00pm Robin Crowe Band

6:15pm Doc Rodgers & the Rock Dodgers

7:30 Rooster Alley

$5 donation to benefit Computers4Quads

Great Food, Drink, raffle items and music by Central Illinois Best Bands!

For Further information call 309 267-4425

Help support www.c4q.org Don’t Miss This Great Show!

Cash donations are being accepted. We are accepting donations of raffle items to help raise money.

To donate items call 309 267-4425 to arrange pick up of items or cash donations.

To donate CASH go to www.c4q.org

All donations are tax deductible.

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