Keali`i Blaisdell

[Leo Lakio]

His wife has posted the following to some discussion boards today:


Aloha everyone-

My name is Korrie, Keali`i Blaisdell's wife. About a month ago, my husband had a stroke and it affected his right side of his body and has lost a great portion of his memory. He has been going thru some therapy and has dramatically improved and he has regained function of his right side and his speech has also improved. However, he still cannot remember alot of things.

We are trying to move back home to Maui, he wants to leave next week and I will meet him there in August. He asked me to come here today to apologize for not responding to anyone who knows him either here in the patch or on myspace. Earlier today he spoke to Timmy (Aloha Island Grill), whom he does remember and I am so grateful that he has friends like Timmy. My husband however, cannot remember being a Hawaiian Entertainer, forgot how to play a guitar, and even speak Hawaiian. He is going thru a very difficult time, we both are, and I would like to ask that you keep us in your prayers.

Sincerely-
Korrie Blaisdell

[Miulang]

Wow...that's a shocker. I wish Keali'i a full and speedy recovery and a big mahalo to his ohana for being with him and taking care of him. Moving home will probably be the best medicine because, after all, Maui No Ka Oi!

Miulang

[tutusue]

Dang...he's so young; mid 30s. Just drives home the point that there are no guarantees in life. A prayer is on it's way...

[achow]

I know...This was a shocker when I heard the news! How can it happen to such a young person! I am still in shock. I am glad that I had the opportunity to talk to Keali'i and see him at his CD release party here in Hawai'i at Don Ho's Island Grill on September 3, 2006. I had the opportunity to speak to Keali'i Blaisdell by phone yesterday. He seems to be in good spirits but he is still having a difficult time remembering. Please say a prayer for Keali'i and his wife, Korrie tonight because they could use our support.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery KEALI'I! Get well soon.

[akrauth]

I know...This was a shocker when I heard the news! How can it happen to such a young person! I am still in shock. I am glad that I had the opportunity to talk to Keali'i and see him at his CD release party here in Hawai'i at Don Ho's Island Grill on September 3, 2006. I had the opportunity to speak to Keali'i Blaisdell by phone yesterday. He seems to be in good spirits but he is still having a difficult time remembering. Please say a prayer for Keali'i and his wife, Korrie tonight because they could use our support.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery KEALI'I! Get well soon.

I was also a part of the phone conversation that achow was mentioning. I believe he is blessed to know that we are all supporting him, even if he doesn't remember who we all are.

E ola!

[Leo Lakio]

There is a website (http://kokuaforkealii.chipin.com/kokua-for-kealii-blaisdell) set up to accept donations to help out with the family's medical expenses - as a musician, you know Keali`i won't be getting much insurance assistance.

[pzarquon]

Neat that they're using ChipIn, which is one of our little startups. But PayPal is the payment mechanism, meaning a chunk of change is going to be shaved off for processing fees. I wonder if a local bank or other agency would've been able to set something up.

Further, it'd be nice to have more information on who set up the "Kokua for Keali`i Blaisdell" site. Someone named Lynn who's connected to Hawaiian musicians, I see, but... some background would be nice. On the face of it, we're just sending money to mkaloha@sbcglobal.net.

[Miulang]

Neat that they're using ChipIn, which is one of our little startups. But PayPal is the payment mechanism, meaning a chunk of change is going to be shaved off for processing fees. I wonder if a local bank or other agency would've been able to set something up.

Further, it'd be nice to have more information on who set up the "Kokua for Keali`i Blaisdell" site. Someone named Lynn who's connected to Hawaiian musicians, I see, but... some background would be nice. On the face of it, we're just sending money to mkaloha@sbcglobal.net.
You can email the guy listed on the "Friends of Keali'i Blaisdell (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=19773684)" Myspace site and ask questions of Kanilau. The site also gives a phone number and email address for Keali'i if you want to contact him directly.

Miulang

[Leo Lakio]

"Lynn" is Lynn Piccoli of Sacramento, who has been working with folks such as Timmy, who runs Aloha Island Grille in Santa Cruz (a popular spot for Hawaiian musicians when they come through the area) as well as Jon Yamasato (member of Pure Heart & Na `Oiwi, who suggested the ChipIn structure.)

A couple more detailed threads on what these folks have been doing to raise kala can be found here (http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5114&whichpage=1) and here (http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5122).

Korrie posted Keali`i's phone number in the original message, but has since removed it while leaving his e-mail in; I chose not to copy either of them over to the o.p. that started this thread. Keali`i has also posted one brief message of thanks in the first thread on TaroPatch.

[Leo Lakio]

Lynn has also set up a PO Box for checks, if people do not want to use the ChipIn site. (Checks should be made payable to Errol M.K. Blaisdell, Keali`i's full name.)

Me Ke Aloha
Attn: Lynn Piccoli
PO Box 160366
Sacramento, CA 95816-0366

[akrauth]

I donated through the site last night. I'm so pleased about all the work we have done so far. Maika'i no!

[Leo Lakio]

Latest from Korrie:

I'd like to say thank you to all of you who supported my husband. We both really appreciate your support so much! The other night his brother finally called, and I had to explain to him what happened. Even tho he didn't know his own brother, they both ended up talking and it was the happpiest day of my husbands life, knowing finally that one of his family members called knowing he has a brother.

He's doing ok, he is having these bad headaches and nightmares, but other than that he is in good spirits. And really trying hard. I thank god everyday that i didn't lose my husband. He tells me almost everday that he didn't lose his mind, he lost his memory.

He's different now, more calmer, more polite, things are done for me before I even get home from work. He's more emotional and sensitive. He has a hard time reading certain words or even pronouncing them. He has a hard time with numbers. But I am helping him thru that daily. He likes to talk story alot, and I would just listen to him. I go over his songs with him to see if he would remember. He loves to watch movies alot, but hates to stay home all the time. He actually gets shame when he meets people for the first time or even if that person knows him and he forgot them, he still is very uneasy around them, however, he loves to talk on the phone.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your kind support. We both love you all!

Korrie