ian.

my dear friend, hilary @ fm949, forwarded me the following press release.

as a father and surfer, it got to me.

i look forward to attending the benefit (hope to see you there.)

yes, ian will surf again…

IAN WILL SURF AGAIN

“Local restaurant and musicians put on benefit for Carlsbad boy”

“Ian Will Surf Again, A Party For A Good Cause” will happen at the Bareback Grill, downtown on Saturday, March 28th, 2009 from 6:00 PM -2:00 AM. The benefit’s goal is to raise money for the rehabilitation expenses of 6 year old Ian McFarland, who lost both parents and suffered traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 2008.

On July 3, 2008, Tod and Stephanie (nee Coleman) McFarland and their three children, Ian (then five), Loren (2), and Luke (1), left their home in Carlsbad to drive to Boulder, CO for a wedding. A rollover car accident in Utah claimed the lives of Tod and Stephanie and left all three of their children injured to varying degrees.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080706/news_1m6crash.html

The three children are now living with Stephanie’s sister and Tod’s mother in Carlsbad. And while Ian has been labeled as having a “diffuse axonal brain injury with an unknown outcome,” he is responding well to therapy. Having been taught to surf and snowboard by his father, Tod, Ian has not forgotten the sports he once loved. His goal is to surf and skate board again. Ian needs physical, speech, and occupational therapy, as well as a power wheelchair and modifications to the family home to help him on his road to recovery. Just one year of necessary intensive therapy costs $54,000.00.

Local occupational therapist Maria Degitz and Bareback Grill owner PJ Lamont are donating their time and resources to put on the “Ian Will Surf Again” benefit to raise money to go directly towards Ian’s growing expenses. The $5.00 cover charge to get into the back room where the live music and DJ will be (which includes a raffle ticket for exciting prizes) and $2.00 from every “Ian’s Special” will go to the cause. 10% of total sales from the night go to Ian too. There is, of course, no cover to dine in the restaurant, and families with children of all ages are welcome. Local musicians Cathryn Beeks, Christopher Dale, and Matt Silvia will entertain the crowd in the back room between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, after which there will be a raffle and a DJ spinning dance music. The Bareback Grill is located at 624 E street, downtown San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Tax deductible donations can also be made here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ianmcfarland1

For more information, please contact Maria Degitz at mariajdegitz@gmail.com