As many of us in the community already know, Asbury Park bartender and event planner ~ and Pink Prom King 2013 ~ David Hoffman has been ill for a bit now.
He's been having a lot of medical difficulties, and he's being put through painful procedures to find some relief for his condition. He's been diagnosed with neuropathy and walking is close to impossible for him, he's had fevers and at the latest, he had to undergo a spinal tap. Through it all, David has managed to hold on to his sense of humor and spirits. When I was speaking to him, he even made ME laugh. He does that to everyone; just one of the reasons we love him.
Now for those who don't know what it is, neuropathy is a collection of disorders that occurs when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) are damaged.
Words of love and prayers have been expressed by so many members of the community and beyond for David's quick recovery. This condition has rendered him unable to work at this time and to help him financially and to show our support, the community will be putting on a benefit for one of our own.
Now everyone knows that when any of us have experienced some difficulty in our lives, David has always, always been one of the first ones to come to our rescue, either with words of wisdom, a shoulder to cry on, a hand being lent, or a fundraising benefit to help us make it over the hump. He's done this for over 20 years ... it's just the kind of man that he is.
So now, it's time to give back to the man who always gives us so much!
The benefit will be held Sunday, July 14th from 5 to 9 p.m. at Georgie's Bar, located at 5th and Memorial in Asbury Park, NJ. What we can expect for a $5 donation at the door is a hell of a lot of love. There will be go-go dancers; performances by Christy Girlington, host of drag night Thursdays at Georgie's and a favorite in the community, and Georgie's karaoke hostess and fabulous singer Jilly Sentino; a silent auction; 50/50; and a food buffet.
When I spoke to him, he explained a lot of the problems he's been having from years of up-and-down medical struggles. I wanted to go into detail about it, but I think me writing it will never be the same as the words that David will have to say at the benefit.
I know this for sure ~ those individuals in the community who think they are invincible and there may be some magic pill to overcome all medical crises should get out to the benefit to not only support David, but also to hear what he has to say. He's been through the ups and downs of his HIV-positive status, and to hit it home for all of us, you need to see first-hand.
Okay, this is when I shouldn't be listening to George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" while writing this blog because the song has a lot to say and makes me cry a bit.
David has been there for all of us, myself included. A couple of years ago, when my mother was close to death, my family was going to have to make some difficult decisions, and I was having a hard time with it. More than most people know. But living a distance from my family, I just needed someone to talk to about it all, someone at that particular moment (while I'm in tears) who would be supportive, firm, wise and would tell me what I may not want to hear but needed to hear to clear my mind. I called David. We talked, it must have been, for a couple of hours. After speaking with him, I knew that I had to allow others to support me, but I had to be the strong one as well. My mother passed away a few days later. David's words were just what I needed to hear to come to peace with it. When I moved up here, gee about 6 years ago, David was working at The Harrison and was one of the first people who extended a friendly hand to me to make me feel welcome.
Whenever David sees me, his first words are, "Everybody loves a parade" ... Parade - his nickname for me ... love it!
We've been friends ever since. He's one of my closest friends and confidantes. He's a friend and confidante to us all.
So we all need to come together and support David. He's given so much to make the LGBTQ community a much more unified group, and it's time we give back.
I also request that we all send up prayers for our brother to make a speedy recovery.
Benefit ~ Sunday, July 14th ~ 5-9 p.m. ~ Georgie's Bar ... Be there!
No comments:
Post a Comment