American musician Jesse Malin suffered a spinal cord infarction. Currently paralyzed, he is raising funds to receive treatment.
On May 4, Jesse Malin suffered a spinal cord infarction. A few weeks after celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first solo album, The Fine Art of Self Destructionduring a dinner, the American musician collapsed on the floor, overcome by severe pain running from his lower back to his feet.
“Everyone was looking at me like they were in Rosemary’s Baby, saying all sorts of things, and there I was, not knowing what was going on in my body.” he told the editorial staff of Rolling Stone USA.
Transported to hospital, Jesse Malin has since been paralyzed throughout his lower body. “These were the worst weeks of my life” he explains. “They tell me that they don’t really understand, and don’t comment on a prognosis. Feedback from doctors is difficult. Sometimes we want to cry and other times we are afraid. But I tell myself that I can do it, that I can regain control of my body. »
Currently in rehabilitation, the musician is receiving several rounds of treatment with the aim of learning to move independently without having to use his legs. By the time he regains control of his body, he finds himself in a wheelchair and will have to move to accommodation adapted to his condition.
Like many active musicians who suffer such accidents, Jesse Malin cannot afford the long-term care he needs, despite years spent in the studio and on the road, and even despite his health insurance. His manager David Bason and friends launched a fundraising campaign to help him.
Faced with such a campaign, the musician’s feelings are mixed. Although he himself has been involved in several aid campaigns, notably supporting the Joe Strummer Foundation and Music and Memory, the Light of Day Foundation and Save Our Stages, he struggles to ask for help.
“I always said to myself that these microphones, these guitars and these concert halls gave us a voice to allow us to help each other” he declares. “But it’s very hard for me to need help. I don’t want to be a burden, but I’m learning. Being there, without being able to walk, gives a lesson in humility. »
The cancellation of the planned tour in the United States aggravates its financial difficultiesncières. During this announcement, the musician declared on social networks that he suffered from serious back problems, without saying more. “I think people need to know now. Although I’m convinced it’s temporary, I’m not going to walk around tomorrow with a biker jacket and a cane and go to the bar. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time in a wheelchair” explain Jesse Malin. “Telling the truth is liberating. »
Joseph Hudak
Translated by the editorial staff