Chris is a 10-year-old boy who is currently paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a stray bullet while attending a piano lesson on January 10th, 2008. Chris and his family face a difficult road ahead, and will need all the support and donations you can give. This blog is dedicated to keeping the public informed about how to help.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Update on Chris

From Chris's mother Jennifer: "Chris is out of the ICU and getting stronger. Yeah, we can decorate his room! He has much less pain. This is a milestone for us. He is resting with family and close friends in a healing space and started physical therapy when he was still in the ICU. We are under doctor's orders to keep the company down and we oblige."

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear he is out of the ICU!

I've been very busy organizing a benefit concert for Christopher and his family. It will take place on Monday, March 24th at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland.
Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1st at Yoshi's.

The line-up keeps growing but so far I have:
Kai Eckhardt (phenomenal bass player from the John McLaughlin Trio, Summit, Garaj Mahal), Grammy-nominated percussionist John Santos, multi-instrumentalist and Jazz legend Roger Glenn who will be playing saxophone, Grammy-nominated pianist Matt Herskowitz who will flying in from Montreal, Fluteville (a youth flute choir I direct) and several members of the Bay Area Chamber Symphony (including myself).
For updates to the list of performers and more info about the benefit concert please visit the event website:

http://www.myspace.com/benefitconcertinfo

All My Best Wishes!
Carol Alban
carolalban@aol.com
(510) 595-9009
http://www.myspace.com/carolalban

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is wonderful! Chris, we are happy to hear you are out of the ICU. We are all thinking of you! Keep the faith and we will as well! A big hug from your Piedmont Avenue friends! We are looking forward to the concert for you!

Anonymous said...

That's great to hear. I will continue to pray for Chris' full recovery.

Victoria said...

A few of my piano students are friends with Christopher. Although I've never met you, you have touched my heart. I'm asking all of my friends across the world to reach out and contribute in some way towards your recovery. God bless you and keep you. I have been and will continue to pray for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Victoria

Anonymous said...

Hi Christopher and hello to you Mr. and Mrs. Rodriquez. My name is Larry Catlin. I am a music teacher and your story has touched me very deeply. My friend, Dennis Briggs, owns the Mojo Lounge on Peralta Ave. in Fremont. During the annual Super Bowl celebration; we are going to have a raffle/fundraiser for you. We already have many local merchants donating merchandise and meals and will start collecting cash starting this weekend. Of couse, anybody reading this is welcome to come. It will be Sunday, Feb. 3rd starting at 2 p.m. Along with the game, there will be a huge pot-luck buffet and of course the raffle. For directions or more info, feel free to call Larry at 510 867-5335 or Dennis at Mojo's which is 510 739-1028. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Christopher, your family and your future. We'll help get you through this. I hope to hear you play piano someday Chris. God Bless You!

Anonymous said...

Dear Taj,

When I first heard of your predicament, I was in pain for you. I had hoped to take some of your pain by feeling for you. Then when I heard from (your mom's friend) Ms. Patricia, telling me that you said you would not be paralyzed; I knew you had the will and courage to make it all the way.
My prayers are with you, Christopher, and I believe that you will walk again. God has a plan for you, and only you can fulfill HIS plan.
No matter what happens, I will continue to pray and look forward your future piano concerts. God Bless and keep you well in strenght:to you and your Mom and Dad.
Jennifer, God be with always,
Love Linda Barros

Anonymous said...

I would like to praise God, The Lord Jesus for the never ending amount of love that has been poure donyou all!!! And I am so happy that Chris is doing better- work hard in therapy. I am a therapist and i work with people just like you - but they are all adults. You can do it! Keep your eyes on the prize!!!

Joanne said...

Dear Christopher and Mr. & Mrs. Rodriguez,

Our prayers are with your family. The children and families at St. Theresa School had a Bake Sale for you on Friday. We raised over $8,000 for your family thanks to the generosity of the parents and children saving their allowances. We hope that this helps.

Sincerely,

Joanne Gayton
St. Theresa Mom

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that Chris is out of the ICU!

I have been praying much for his speedy recovery and I have also been praying much for his family as well. I will try and attend the benefit for Chris at the Piedmont Piano School on Sunday February 10, 2008. Chris, you are a strong person. Keep on going and never give up on all of your hopes and dreams! You can still accomplish your dreams of becoming a concert pianist or to even become a pianist. I have seen people who are accomplished musicians who struggling too. You can become an accomplished musician and I know that you will be able to do a lot more things as well in due time. Keep up the good that you are doing. I am so very proud of you Chris.