Coming together for Max...

On Saturday, group of local musicians came together for Max, to donate their voices and talents to raise money for Max's medical expenses.   We're completely amazed at the outpouring of support for our guy! We are going to be able to start construction soon on Max's bathroom and lift.  We're still working on getting him in and out of the house easier, since we have steps at every doorway into the house.  We're hoping to get this piece of robotic amazingness to make that a reality.  The way our house is set up, we can't do a ramp out front, and we would have to cut into the foundation to do a lift up on the porch. The ramp we have in the garage right now is too steep and the winter snow has showed us again how inaccessible the alley behind our house is when it snows.  The scalamobil will attach to his wheelchair and "climb" him up and down the stairs.  

Indeed, all funds we're raising will continue to go to the expenses for Max's care.  This includes keeping up the maintenance on his 9 year old wheelchair van.  Of course, any funds over the amount we need to do the lift, and equipment, and maintenance on his van will go into his special needs trust. This will allow us to pay for his expenses in the years to come. 

Now, back to the concert!  Saturday started as a weird day for Max.  He woke up with a big headache.  He cried, and moaned most of the morning.  I got him calmed down by closing all the windows, drawing the curtains, and turning the lights off.  He finally went to sleep and woke up a couple of hours later to a rain-shower, and is headache was gone.  

We headed to the Laurie Maves art studio and were greeted by the wonderful Angie Stevens and Laurie Maves.  Laurie's space was the perfect venue, and I loved looking at her art all around. (Check her website out...her art is so lovely!  I especially loved the poppies!) They were setting up the final touches on the stage, and then we got started with the music, as people were still showing up.  Max was happy to see his friends from school who got to come with their parents, and loved every minute of the concert(s).  He had to go out to his van a few times to reset, then would come back in for more. Steve would ask him each time if he needed to go home or if he wanted to go back in, and each time he wanted more music!

This is how the night went...

 Little cousin Addie taking Max up front to dance with KK playing. 

Listening to Angie play. Thanks to another attendee, for taking this photo and sharing on Facebook. 

Dane Olsen got up for his set.  Max sang along to every note. 

Dane and Angie performing together. 

Aubrey Collins sang her heart out. 

Melissa Ivey got Max singing along and dancing. 

Angie sang along with Seth Larson, it was some kind of beautiful.

The whole group got up to sing together. 

And got together for a group picture with Max. 

Angie asked us to say a few words, and Steve did a wonderful job of expressing our gratitude to everyone there. 

Aubrey Collins joined Ryan Chris, Seth and Josh Larson, and Melissa Ivey in the back playing percussion.

Seth and Josh Larson added vocals to Ryan Chris, Bradley Weaver on the little steel guitar...Max really liked that. 

Ryan Chris playing one of the last notes of the night.  

Us with Angie, who has a heart of gold and put this amazing event on.  (Thank you Ryan Chris for getting this photo and posting on Facebook)

Thank you to everyone who made this incredible night happen.  We were able to raise about $2,500.   Thank you to all of our friends, neighbors, family, Max's music and speech therapists and schoolmates who came out to share the night also.  And a big thank you to everyone who showed up to hear these wonderful musicians and left a bit of their love there for Max.  Please look up all these musicians on Facebook, and online. Go to their shows, show some love back to them for sharing their talents with Max.