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We've received an update on Steady Ed's condition from
his son, Gary Headrick, #00069, garyh@focus360.com.
Steady Ed actually had two strokes last week, one at or on the way to
Kendall Park and another, larger stroke while in the hospital. His
physical condition is not well, he is declining, although his spirits
are up. He is now paralyzed on his left side and
very weak on the right, yet is conversing,
cracking jokes, and yesterday threw a disc about 6 feet from his
hospital bed. Here is some more information quoted directly from Gary's
communication to me. He provides Steady Ed's hospital phone number,
which you are encouraged to use.
While trying to keep things on the light side, the inevitable truth
is ever-present. I admire him for facing his situation with strength and
courage, and yes, even a sense of humility and awe. With one foot in
each world, he has provided those close to him with a unique opportunity
to have a glimpse into what may lie beyond. With an intense gaze from
his penetrating blue eyes that fills the silence between grasping for
the words, he responded to my observation that life is an amazing event;
by saying "You don't know the half of it." And the conviction
with which he spoke left no room for doubt. The sad truth is that there
is nothing more that they can do for him, and another stroke will
someday carry him off into the great unknown. As his son, I can hardly
imagine never being able to talk story with him, hold him, or just say
thanks for bringing me into the world and for always being there for me
when I needed him. So over the last few days I have made the most of our
time together, and I am writing to encourage anyone else that cares for
him to give him a call.
You can reach him at his room in the Baptist Hospital in Miami at <phone
number removed, see follow-up message>.
Gary Headrick is interested in hearing from people about their
interest in having some kind of either homecoming or memorial (depending
on short-term outcomes) for Steady Ed, near his hometown in California,
sometime soon. If you have an interest in that, or in future plans for
the DGA, please contact him directly: garyh@focus360.com.
Terry Calhoun, #15117
PDGA Communications Director Follow-up message...
We think the message got through to Steady Ed, loud and clear, that
we are all one big disc golf family and he is our
Dad.
However, the hospital’s phone system can’t handle
the volume of telephone calls to Steady Ed’s room. Please do not make
more calls to the number we shared in our last announcement.
Instead, please send emails, physical messages, or make your phone
calls of support to the DGA. All information will be passed on to Steady
Ed.
The DGA’s website is at http://www.discgolfassoc.com/.
DGA communications information is:
Disc Golf Association
16 Maher Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-6037
Fax (831) 722-8176
steadyed@discgolfassoc.com
In addition, Steady Ed’s son, Gary Headrick, #00069, can be emailed
at garyh@focus360.com.
Terry Calhoun, #15117
PDGA Communications Director
http://www.pdga.com |
