Hello Radio Rangers,
This picture was taken on New Year’s Eve 2019.
My wife had passed three months earlier and that night would have been our fifth wedding anniversary.
We were broadcasting from the ball drop in downtown Grand Haven. I was not in the right headspace and should not have been there.
I got through the event because the fellow next to me, Patrick “Paddy” Ryskamp came out and helped me co-host.
He had the right demeanor and understanding to get me to the end of the show, simply be being Paddy.
During my incarnation as the “World’s Greatest Rock N Roll DJ,” Paddy was one of the dedicated listeners who made “In The Basement” the most unique and wonderful thing in my broadcasting career. Be it his eclectic music choices (he is a big YES fan), or his messaging me Grateful Dead memes during “Vinyl Revolution” on Fridays when I would crank up “Freebird,” he was one of our family.
When the “Basement” faded away and I drifted over to the “Laguna” I would hear from him time to time. Earlier this year I hadn’t heard from him in awhile. That is when I found out about his accident.
In June of this year, Paddy was involved in a serious motorcycle crash which landed him in various hospitals and facilities since the incident. He has had countless challenges in his recovery, but with the dogged determination and strength of a Chris Squire bass line, he fights every day.
The goal was for Paddy to eventually come home and be cared for by family, however an attempt at this has determined it might be a little too early yet.
I am writing this because Paddy is good people as Ma Bruce would say, and he could use your help. Prayers, juju, donations (I will put the Go Fund Me link on the bottom,) whatever you can spare.
The power of a listener family should never be underestimated, together we can do great things, and take care of our own.
As YES sang in the song Nu Sommes Du Soleil,
“We receive all we venture to give.”
The link to help out Patrick Ryskamp is below or search “Put It Up For Paddy” on Gofundme.com
https://gofund.me/ac3807a3
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