Dear Patrick – (sorry but this is a long post!!)
I’m Suzi, 47 years old a birth defect with Treacher Collins syndrome. In short, (in my description) that is a defect of the mid face which makes one almost have a “Precious Moments Doll” look-well sort of! This always affects the ears in various ways. For me, I have the conductive loss leaving me with severe to profound hearing loss. I had the BAHA implant on the left in 2007 and on the right in 2008. You are not going to believe the difference!!! It is so exciting to see how excited you are as you look forward to the BAHA! I have 75% loss on both sides and the BAHA’s have brought me back to near 0% loss!!! I am continually amazed every single day at the things I can hear. For example: fizz on a soda, snow/sleet, leaves blowing, den of foxes a half mile from my house, I could go on and on! Perhaps my most favorite thing is hearing music! I always heard it with the hearing aid I wore on the right side but never realized what I was missing! I love singing and harmonizing. People always ask me how I am able to do that and I tell them that when I was little my mother or sister would play the piano and I would lay my head on the side of it to hear. Little did I know at that time that was essentially what I would need to be able to hear and that someone would come up with that device in my lifetime! I think you are going to be totally surprised at hearing music after not being able to do so for so long. For me though, I have only been able to hear what I see on the page, flat, but now I can hear what is deeper in the page. Does that make any sense? There are so many nuances, layers, aspects of the music. Perhaps what I am writing on paper does not convey what I am really trying to say! Maybe this will do it – if you take a yellow crayon and draw a sun on a piece of paper, it is beautiful in it’s own right but, what’s missing? The grass, trees, birds, air, smell, feel. You only experience these things when you go outside and look up into the sky (not directly at the sun though, teeheehee!!!). The same with music. It just envelopes you! I love music and always turn it up very loud and try to hear every layer of it I can now! I cannot express to you how happy I am for you and know that you are going to do great through the surgeries and the recovery. I look forward to watching your site and listening to your music. My oldest brother, who passed away at age 31 from bone cancer, also played the banjo, guitars, etc…. I don’t have any of his recorded music but your music sounds like his. It has a certain touch and it comes straight from the heart like his.
Good luck to you!
Suzi
I am still astounded by the passion you bring to your teaching, and the commitment you bring to your local and the global community everyday…and with the pain and the deafness…
I will be thinking of you in the coming weeks. You deserve great joy.
Great news Patrick and I wish you the best of luck over the next few months. I do wonder if you will still give every kid a harmonica once you have full hearing – I hope it comes with volume control .
I hd my hearing hugely improved a number of years back and iy mad a greta difference.
this is great news! You deserve everything that is coming to you because of your kindness in giving us the gift of your teaching in such as wonderfully fun and generous way…you’re teaching people far more than just music.
There is an idiomatic expression in the UK – ‘sound as a pound’ for something that is good…. I’m sure that with your many students around the world we will be able to find a way to raise a few pounds to give you your sounds… or dollars to avert the need for hollers!
God bless you and take it easy before and after the procedure!
This is so exciting! I was just thinking of all that you have accomplished in the last two years, all the people you’ve inspired, all of the successful projects you’ve launched, and you did this with all the health problems and little to no hearing. And now I’m trying to imagine what you can accomplish with these obstacles out of the way.
Great news bro, we’re all pulling for you. When it’s all done I’m gonna send you a kazzoo so you can celebrate by making stupid noises & driving dod nuts
Its great to see that you are doing well and staying so positive. From my dad and I here in the UK, best wishes for your surgery and we hope all goes well.
Can you ask for a white lady tone ring to be implanted? (Couldnt resist!)
I have learned to love frailing the banjo by watching the videos I purchased from you and working through the Tao book. My thoughts and prayers are with you during your surgery and recovery after. Look forward to seeing your next Daily Frail after your successful surgery.
Patrick, when I found out that I could help out by getting the book of Irish pub songs, I jumped at the chance. Not only would I be able to get a bunch of drunk friends singing together, but I could help you out in what little way I could. HOORAY!! a win/win. My family and I are keeping you in our prayers and wish you all the luck.
Patrick,
Your positive attitude, humility, and passion for music has inspired me through your many efforts beginning with your How and Tao book and continuing on in your blog and your YouTube videos. I recently purchased a DVD and CDROM from you in order to support your fine contributions to us aspiring musicians. I’ll be purchasing the Irish Pub songs soon. You are a blessing to us all. All the best to you and Dear Old Dad.
Hi Patrick, I can only add to the chorus of good wishes being sent to you from folks all over the world for whom you are an inspiration. I’m another who would not be playing banjo now if it weren’t for your amazing teaching, tireless energy and infectious enthusiasm! You will be in my thoughts over the next few weeks and every time I play, my banjo will be transmitting good vibes to Crisfield. So, take care Patrick, best wishes to You, D.O.D and Miss T – Andy
Hi Sir Patrick.
Your little bros favourite Dad thanks you
for your generosity and friendship. Bloody good luck with the Lug Oles , It will go well and make an enormous differance to your life.
Try to take things easy Probably the wrong person to say that to ;but give it a go mate.
Love to the family.
Jenny and Pete
Hi Patrick, I know you will be OK, you are such a positive influence, I think that we have had your teaching for free for a long time without a complaint or asking for money, I reckon if we all post you aletter with a small donation we can pay back a little of what you have given to all of us, I will post a £10.00 note to you (you will have to exchange it), or I might even get some dlooars from 40 US colleagues on a visit to my works next week. £10 is not a lot but £10 x 1,000 = ?one ear?,
Andy…UK Hereford
(what do u think of that Andy (UK) other!!!
May 10, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Fantastic news! Great to see the twinkle in your eyes and joy in your voice! We’re praying for a successful surgery.
May 10, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Dear Patrick – (sorry but this is a long post!!)
I’m Suzi, 47 years old a birth defect with Treacher Collins syndrome. In short, (in my description) that is a defect of the mid face which makes one almost have a “Precious Moments Doll” look-well sort of! This always affects the ears in various ways. For me, I have the conductive loss leaving me with severe to profound hearing loss. I had the BAHA implant on the left in 2007 and on the right in 2008. You are not going to believe the difference!!! It is so exciting to see how excited you are as you look forward to the BAHA! I have 75% loss on both sides and the BAHA’s have brought me back to near 0% loss!!! I am continually amazed every single day at the things I can hear. For example: fizz on a soda, snow/sleet, leaves blowing, den of foxes a half mile from my house, I could go on and on! Perhaps my most favorite thing is hearing music! I always heard it with the hearing aid I wore on the right side but never realized what I was missing! I love singing and harmonizing. People always ask me how I am able to do that and I tell them that when I was little my mother or sister would play the piano and I would lay my head on the side of it to hear. Little did I know at that time that was essentially what I would need to be able to hear and that someone would come up with that device in my lifetime! I think you are going to be totally surprised at hearing music after not being able to do so for so long. For me though, I have only been able to hear what I see on the page, flat, but now I can hear what is deeper in the page. Does that make any sense? There are so many nuances, layers, aspects of the music. Perhaps what I am writing on paper does not convey what I am really trying to say! Maybe this will do it – if you take a yellow crayon and draw a sun on a piece of paper, it is beautiful in it’s own right but, what’s missing? The grass, trees, birds, air, smell, feel. You only experience these things when you go outside and look up into the sky (not directly at the sun though, teeheehee!!!). The same with music. It just envelopes you! I love music and always turn it up very loud and try to hear every layer of it I can now! I cannot express to you how happy I am for you and know that you are going to do great through the surgeries and the recovery. I look forward to watching your site and listening to your music. My oldest brother, who passed away at age 31 from bone cancer, also played the banjo, guitars, etc…. I don’t have any of his recorded music but your music sounds like his. It has a certain touch and it comes straight from the heart like his.
Good luck to you!
Suzi
May 11, 2009 at 12:46 am
Hey Patrick
I am still astounded by the passion you bring to your teaching, and the commitment you bring to your local and the global community everyday…and with the pain and the deafness…
I will be thinking of you in the coming weeks. You deserve great joy.
Cheers
Greg
May 11, 2009 at 2:37 am
Great news Patrick and I wish you the best of luck over the next few months. I do wonder if you will still give every kid a harmonica once you have full hearing – I hope it comes with volume control
.
I hd my hearing hugely improved a number of years back and iy mad a greta difference.
May 11, 2009 at 3:03 am
Hi Patrick
I’m sure you will be ok,
Good luck.
Best Regards
Eddy
May 11, 2009 at 5:49 am
Hi Patrick,
this is great news! You deserve everything that is coming to you because of your kindness in giving us the gift of your teaching in such as wonderfully fun and generous way…you’re teaching people far more than just music.
There is an idiomatic expression in the UK – ‘sound as a pound’ for something that is good…. I’m sure that with your many students around the world we will be able to find a way to raise a few pounds to give you your sounds… or dollars to avert the need for hollers!
God bless you and take it easy before and after the procedure!
Bob
May 11, 2009 at 6:35 am
This is so exciting! I was just thinking of all that you have accomplished in the last two years, all the people you’ve inspired, all of the successful projects you’ve launched, and you did this with all the health problems and little to no hearing. And now I’m trying to imagine what you can accomplish with these obstacles out of the way.
May 11, 2009 at 8:21 am
Great news bro, we’re all pulling for you. When it’s all done I’m gonna send you a kazzoo so you can celebrate by making stupid noises & driving dod nuts
May 11, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Its great to see that you are doing well and staying so positive. From my dad and I here in the UK, best wishes for your surgery and we hope all goes well.
Can you ask for a white lady tone ring to be implanted? (Couldnt resist!)
Kindest regards,
Andrew
May 11, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Pat,
I have learned to love frailing the banjo by watching the videos I purchased from you and working through the Tao book. My thoughts and prayers are with you during your surgery and recovery after. Look forward to seeing your next Daily Frail after your successful surgery.
Warm Regards
Rich
May 11, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Patrick, when I found out that I could help out by getting the book of Irish pub songs, I jumped at the chance. Not only would I be able to get a bunch of drunk friends singing together, but I could help you out in what little way I could. HOORAY!! a win/win. My family and I are keeping you in our prayers and wish you all the luck.
May 12, 2009 at 12:38 am
Patrick,
Your positive attitude, humility, and passion for music has inspired me through your many efforts beginning with your How and Tao book and continuing on in your blog and your YouTube videos. I recently purchased a DVD and CDROM from you in order to support your fine contributions to us aspiring musicians. I’ll be purchasing the Irish Pub songs soon. You are a blessing to us all. All the best to you and Dear Old Dad.
Regards,
Denton Jordan
May 12, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Hi Patrick, I can only add to the chorus of good wishes being sent to you from folks all over the world for whom you are an inspiration. I’m another who would not be playing banjo now if it weren’t for your amazing teaching, tireless energy and infectious enthusiasm! You will be in my thoughts over the next few weeks and every time I play, my banjo will be transmitting good vibes to Crisfield. So, take care Patrick, best wishes to You, D.O.D and Miss T – Andy
May 12, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hi Sir Patrick.
Your little bros favourite Dad thanks you
for your generosity and friendship. Bloody good luck with the Lug Oles , It will go well and make an enormous differance to your life.
Try to take things easy Probably the wrong person to say that to ;but give it a go mate.
Love to the family.
Jenny and Pete
May 12, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hey Patrick that is great news. I’ve been following you for months and I am very happy to hear the good news.
May 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi Patrick, I know you will be OK, you are such a positive influence, I think that we have had your teaching for free for a long time without a complaint or asking for money, I reckon if we all post you aletter with a small donation we can pay back a little of what you have given to all of us, I will post a £10.00 note to you (you will have to exchange it), or I might even get some dlooars from 40 US colleagues on a visit to my works next week. £10 is not a lot but £10 x 1,000 = ?one ear?,
Andy…UK Hereford
(what do u think of that Andy (UK) other!!!