Joshua, the LBC, will sail again...(updated in comments)

IamTomIamTom Posts: 1,138
edited July 2016 in The Porch
Given To Live has some news that we're excited to share here in the Porch amongst so many friends and supporters of Joshua, Christina and Josh.

Thanks to a very generous donation to be used specifically to take the Swansons to another show the Loveboat Captain will sail to another show with Given To Live. Where and when is yet to be decided.

Before anyone asks the donor is not on these boards, in fact they're not a PJ fan. They're someone who wishes to remain utterly anonymous asking only that we take Joshie to a show again having seen his story and what it gave him. Over separate conversations the nature of GTL was fully explained and how, because we rely totally on donations, we have a one show only policy. The solution was for this person to donate specifically for Joshua.

I skyped with Christina earlier this week to tell her and amongst the excitement I was lucky enough to also chat with Josh, their four year old daughter Maddy (she gets regular deliveries of GTL stickers which she loves but parents who are trying to sell a house...not so much) and Joshua. The change from when I first spoke with Joshua is incredible. I saw it happening over the shows in Philly and to see its lasting effect and further progress is something very special.

Talking with Christina all these months later and hearing what the experience gave them all reinforces what GTL aims to do, to give. In so many ways the shows are the vehicle to more. For Joshua to be accepted as simply another Pearl Jam fan rather than a kid in a wheelchair means the world to Josh and Christina. I know friends have been made which is so precious to Christina who often feels isolated as she is the primary care giver as Josh works at the firehouse. Joshua is adorable, funny, wonderful and it's also hard work looking after him. And can be very lonely so these new friendships are just as important as Joshie having the time of his life in Philly, as all of them being accepted simply as people with the one in the wheelchair a crazy PJ fan with favourite songs, favourite boots.

So when I Skype and Joshie asks me to sing YL with him, to clap that's beautiful. When mum says she's made friends, felt accepted, that people wanted to say hello and not stare that's just as beautiful.

As for the timing of this it seemed perfect as the Swansons are in the process of moving house because as Joshua grows the house won't fit a bigger chair, he needs more adapted bathing facilities. So up to their ears in moving to hear they're going with Joshie again was music to their ears. Not Yellow Ledbetter music because it's Joshua's current go to song which will mean often twenty plus times a day.


Given To Live -

Latest story - Declan at Slipknot is up on the website now at www.giventolive.com along with Kayleigh at Foo Fighters, Tony at Stereophonics and more.

Inspired by Pearl Jam, making live music dreams come true.
Post edited by IamTom on
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Comments

  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    :clap:
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • Ray J. T.Ray J. T. Posts: 3,857
    This is just amazing. It is always awesome to read any new great and exciting news for Joshua. Hope to see him rocking out to LBC again soon.
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    Amazing. New raffle fundraiser to benefit both GTL and Operation Yellow Ribbon coming in the fall... stay tuned!!
  • mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,368
    Awesome!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,090
    mfc2006 said:

    Awesome!

    www.cluthelee.com
  • SD48277SD48277 Woodstock, NY Posts: 12,242
    This just made my day! Very happy for all of them. :smile:
    ELITIST FUK
  • WashedWashed Posts: 736
    Made my day - thanks for sharing (and thanks to the engineer of this plan). Good to see good things happening in the world.
    this city is so filthy, like my mind in ways
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Yes!!!!
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    They - and you as well - are incredibly humbling.

    My goodness, what people do for and give to each other.

    I hope they get another amazing show!

    (I'll also say that anonymous giving rocks...and also reminds me of that Curb episode with "the wing")
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    I love this - and the Swansons!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 40,710
    YAY!!! :smiley:
    bf959b1f-9b77-457c-baf8-038776f33339_zps8a6a389d.jpg?t=1365722973
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
    10/31/09- Philly
    5/21/10- NYC
    9/2/12- Philly, PA
    7/19/13- Wrigley
    10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
    10/21/13- Philly, PA
    10/22/13- Philly, PA
    10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly
  • stina1118stina1118 Illinois Posts: 147
    I am officially declaring 2016 the year of Christina's ugly cry face... Because I don't think I've ever cried as many happy tears as I have this year.

    Anonymous donor!! Holy shit, jaw dropping amazing. We're all so grateful for every piece of this experience. It's hard to even put into words, the deep emotion and gratefulness we feel from this.

    I said to someone earlier, I feel like since Philly our life has kinda been on fast forward. We are in the process of building a home to accommodate Joshua into his adult years.

    So, in between all of the chaos we have here right now... I feel a little behind here on the forum. So, if I've missed any messages or replies I'm sorry!

    Getting a house ready to sell with a 4 year old and Joshua has not been fun. Haha It seems that walls are much more appealing to color on after they've been freshly painted. Sigh. Lol

    With that being said, Josh (Dad) and I are looking forward to Wrigley and some "mom and dad" PJ time (involving beer). And we're looking forward to meeting as many of you as we can. I literally want to hug you all. Hahaha

    So here's to hoping 2017 brings some shows for Joshua (and all of us) to attend!
  • stina1118stina1118 Illinois Posts: 147

    Amazing. New raffle fundraiser to benefit both GTL and Operation Yellow Ribbon coming in the fall... stay tuned!!

    @elwayvedder let me know if I can help... We may be able to donate something, if I can find anything amongst the boxes. Haha But seriously, keep in touch, I want to help!
  • SD48277SD48277 Woodstock, NY Posts: 12,242
    Christina, I look forward to meeting you and Josh at Wrigley. :smile:
    ELITIST FUK
  • stina1118stina1118 Illinois Posts: 147
    edited July 2016
    @SD48277 You changed your profile pic!!!

    Can't wait to meet you as well!! We will be in the city by 11am on night 1. So plenty of time to find each other. Yay!!!
    Post edited by stina1118 on
  • SD48277SD48277 Woodstock, NY Posts: 12,242
    stina1118 said:

    @SD48277 You changed your profile pic!!!

    I did, but I'll wear purple hair at Wrigley, if you want.
    ELITIST FUK
  • stina1118stina1118 Illinois Posts: 147
    @SD48277 Come as you are... Oops wrong band. Haha Purple hair or not you'll always be "Kim" to me.
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    stina1118 said:

    @SD48277 Come as you are... Oops wrong band. Haha Purple hair or not you'll always be "Kim" to me.

    She's Lil too =)

    Best of thoughts to your family.
  • stina1118stina1118 Illinois Posts: 147
    edited July 2016
    Hello @hedonist! Sending much love your way!
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,123
    Love Boat Captain take the reigns... Stir us towards the clear...
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • ed243421ed243421 Posts: 7,624
    Great job, Tom!!

    And congrats to the Swansons!!!

    Enjoy Wrigley!!
    The whole world will be different soon... - EV
    RED ROCKS 6-19-95
    AUGUSTA 9-26-96
    MANSFIELD 9-15-98
    BOSTON 9-29-04
    BOSTON 5-25-06
    MANSFIELD 6-30-08
    EV SOLO BOSTON 8-01-08
    BOSTON 5-17-10
    EV SOLO BOSTON 6-16-11
    PJ20 9-3-11
    PJ20 9-4-11
    WRIGLEY 7-19-13
    WORCESTER 10-15-13
    WORCESTER 10-16-13
    HARTFORD 10-25-13









  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 14,664
    insanely uplifting news

    love it
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    pdalowsky said:

    insanely uplifting news

    love it

  • ponytdponytd Nashville Posts: 653
    That's awesome news. Hope y'all enjoy Wrigley as well. Should be a great weekend
  • JoeyP21JoeyP21 Allentown, PA Posts: 179
    Awesome news! One of my favorite moments from Philly 1 was when they played LBC for Joshua.
  • RunIntoTheRainRunIntoTheRain Texas Posts: 1,009
    I'm really happy to hear this!
  • SD48277SD48277 Woodstock, NY Posts: 12,242
    This thread is too good to be at the bottom of the page. Back to the top!
    ELITIST FUK
  • -Buru--Buru- Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,292
    Beautiful news!
    I am just a dreamer, but you are just a dream...
    If I knew where it was I would take you there.

  • IamTomIamTom Posts: 1,138
    Thank you for all the kind comments and the wonderfully generous words for Joshua, mum and dad.

    Now, I've had some messages asking me two question that essentially boil down to -

    Does this mean Joshua will be going to Wrigley?

    In short, after struggling with the question because of the logistics Christina and Josh, Joshie wasn't going to a show this time. In the end Christina and Josh decided they would sell their Monday tix because they're moving house and need to save money. Now there's a situation that GTL can take care of and they'd love Joshie to go however it's a little late in the day for ADA tix (although there are plenty being scalped on stubhub!). So, we're talking and talking some more to see what we can figure out.

    (I was always making this trip and the lottery was kind to me. And as a baseball fan I'm intending to catch a ballgame or two while I'm over, to me a trip with baseball and PJ is as good as it gets. Possibly being able to GTL makes it better, I digress.)

    The second question is from people who don't know much about GTL asking what we do. We make live music possible for the vulnerable, disadvantaged, excluded and disabled. We take care of everything, escort and do our best to make each person feel valued regardless of their situation.

    We've taken people to see Queen, Foo Fighters, Slipknot (twice), Fleshgod Apocalyse, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams, AC/DC and more with Dragonforce, Selena Gomez, Bring Me The Horizon amongst others lined up.

    We've taken or are taking people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health issues (including paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, chronic depression, self harming) to shows. A number of these trips have included meeting the band/artist.

    I hope that answers the questions, feel free to carry on messaging me if you have more :)
    Given To Live -

    Latest story - Declan at Slipknot is up on the website now at www.giventolive.com along with Kayleigh at Foo Fighters, Tony at Stereophonics and more.

    Inspired by Pearl Jam, making live music dreams come true.
  • IamTomIamTom Posts: 1,138
    edited July 2016
    Whoever asked me about GTL tee shirts the answer is yes, we have tees being printed at the moment with delivery to us by Thursday.
    Post edited by IamTom on
    Given To Live -

    Latest story - Declan at Slipknot is up on the website now at www.giventolive.com along with Kayleigh at Foo Fighters, Tony at Stereophonics and more.

    Inspired by Pearl Jam, making live music dreams come true.
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