A few weeks ago we were contacted by an old friend and told about an event that renewed our faith in a often ruthless industry. This is a story about how a community came together for one of their own. This Saturday an event takes place that we encourage every single one of you to check out, get involved or support in any way you can and it is all for one man... Deano.
This is a charity event for a well known DJ and promoter DEAN SMAHON who in October 2010 lost both legs and a hand to the blood infection Septicemia. Dean is very lucky to be alive today as most of his major organs failed and he was in a coma for 11 days. He has battled back to health and miraculously has retained all his mental functions.
Organiser and fellow Dj Alex Simmons explains the effect Dean has had on the Leeds clubbing scene:
"I can't express the importance of this individual within the Leeds clubbing scene. When the doctors said we should go and say our goodbyes there was literally every DJ who had played in and around the Leeds club scene within the last 20 years... He is a hugely popular character with all customers, DJs and operators and a very influential and inspirational man."
At the event Dean will also launch a foundation which will have the aim of orgainising charity projects and events that will raise money for the people who helped him recover and people who suffer a similar loss to himself.
We already know that our words cannot do this story justice, so perhaps it is better for Dean to do it himself:
"On 4th October 2010 I unexpectedly became ill with a rare condition called septicaemia. Doctors still don't understand how I contracted it, but a dangerous type of bacteria multipled very quickly in my bloodstream which meant the quality of my blood was quite literally incompatible with life. During the first 48 hours the Doctors advised my family that I would most likely die or at the very best survive but be without hands, feet, probable brain damage and lifelong treatment for most of my organs. However many prayers were answered because my situation stabilised and I awoke from a coma after 10 days. Although the disease did not take my life, it has left me with lifelong physical loss and profound psychological challenges. I have lost both my feet, all the fingers from my right hand and left with the remains of two fingers and a thumb on my left hand - however I have been blessed with full mental fucntion, all vital organs made a full recovery and miraculously I have the pincer movement on my left hand. Mentally it has been a rollercoaster of emotions with the relief and joy at surviving, but also the sadness and shock of my physical loss.
During the 3 months of my hospital stay, through my countless operations and current continual need for medical care, I have been encouraged, comforted and deeply touched by the support and caring attitude of both close friends and those I have met a handful of times on the clubbing scene. I've always recognised and been heart-warmed by the coming together of very genuine people at the weekend clubs. However, never did I anticipate the degree of selfless support I would receive during my illness. I cannot find the words to thank everyone enough. THANK YOU.
As I grow stronger physically and mentally, I have started to re-enter the Leeds Scene with tentative steps and have started to DJ again which has been an awesome feeling because it is what I love to do. As part of my rehabilitation and to achieve as normal a life as possible, prosthesis are essential to a high quality of life. Research into the prosthesis market has enabled me to see the vast array of quality which exists within prosthetics and it is my desire to ascertain the highest quality legs and hands that I can in order to have a full and happy life and to enable me to DJ better than I have ever done. Alex Simmons, who is a long time friend of mine and much respected DJ, kindly approached me with the idea of uniting the clubbing scene for one magical night to help me achieve my dream of first class prosthetics - which I have graciously accepted as I realise what a momentous platform it would be to enable me to achieve my dreams and overcome this cruel illness.
It will be an honour to DJ at the event and to be a part of one of the most notable and memorable nights of my DJing career and the year. I truly hope you can all make it to join Alex, me and the rest of the Leeds DJ's to celebrate survival against all the odds; that anything can be overcome with the love and support of your friends; to remember that life is beautiful; and most importantly to enjoy an awesome night which is the essence of clubbing.
God bless and love to you all, Deano x"
We hope tomorrow is a massive success and raises loads of money towards Dean's recovery. This has shown that when a community comes together to help one of it's injured soldiers then anything is possible. Every DJ, promotions company, drinks brand and the venue itself are all doing this for free out of pure respect and love which is amazing to see. For more details about the event click here