The local music community has come together several times over the past year and a half to support Callum Robbins, the son of local music mainstay J. Robbins and Janet Morgan. Cal was diagnosed with a genetic motor neuron disease called Type 1 SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As explained on the DeSoto records page supporting Cal,
The disease affects the brain’s ability to communicate with the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, breathing, and swallowing. Type 1 SMA is usually fatal; most Type 1 babies will die before their second birthday. Those infants who survive into childhood are in for a long road of occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and assistive devices. Despite years of work on its treatment and “ongoing promising research,” it has no cure.
In addition to being incredibly difficult to deal with, it’s also an incredibly expensive condition to treat and manage. Cal has surpassed the odds and is past the two year mark, which is amazing news. But he still needs some help! Deleted Scenes (former Three Stars subject and Unbuckled band), Caverns, The Bakerton Group and Hammer No More the Fingers are getting together tonight to hold another benefit show at the Black Cat to raise money for Cal’s continued care. Here’s what Kevin from Caverns had to say about Cal’s current condition:
Cal is doing very well for the moment. J., like any proud parent, is always relating stories of amazing things Cal does and how resilient he has been throughout his young life. According to the literature on SMA, a huge milestone for an afflicted child is his or her second birthday. The mortality rate is very high prior to that time, so the fact that Cal has passed that age is a huge deal. However, even during relative “good times” life with SMA is extremely difficult due to the limited mobility it creates, the need for constant assistance supervision for the child, and the amount of physical therapy involved to keep the child’s muscle strength and motor skills from declining. This is why doing a benefit show like the one on Friday can actually make a difference, because the day to day cost of care for a child like Cal really piles on top the normal expenses any family must endure. Every little bit friends can do to help offset that expense helps Cal lead a healthier and happier life.
Because you all have hearts, you’re probably convinced at this point to come to the Black Cat tonight, or at least to make a donation. But if you’re not, a lighthearted band-on-band interview between a couple guys from Deleted Scenes and Caverns is after the jump.
