Earlier this year, musician, singer/songwriter, and venue owner Jesse Malin suffered a spinal cord stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down. We last got an update on his condition back in June, and now he’s given a new update in an interview with Rolling Stone, seven months after his spinal cord infarction. He’s been undergoing daily stem-cell treatments at a clinic in Buenos Aires since late September, along with intensive physical therapy. He told Rolling Stone that he saw the location, far from his NYC home, as his best option due to health insurance-mandated limits on his treatment in the states, and the current non-ADA compliant state of his Lower East Side walk-up.
“I have a lot of anxiety and insomnia,” Jesse tells Rolling Stone. “Your mind goes into some dark places. But I just have to keep a positive outlook and believe. I think of that Bruce Springsteen song ‘Stolen Car,’ when he says, ‘I’m driving a stolen car through a pitch-black night/I keep telling myself everything’s gonna be alright.’ But it all feels like one long, tough day.”
“I am getting some strength back in my legs, but it moves a lot slower than I would like,” he continued to Rolling Stone. “I don’t want to portray it like I’m ready to do the James Brown splits onstage. I definitely have a long way to go, but I’m blessed and so grateful for the amazing fans and friends that I have.”
To help fund his continued treatment, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and the estate of Joey Ramone are teaming up for an auction of Ramones clothing and memorabilia. Items up for bids include Soundgarden, Murphy’s Law, Ruben & The Jets, and The Who t-shirts, and “Mickey Mouse, California” and “Joey” sweatshirts owned and worn by Joey; along with a poster and vinyl pack. See the listings and bid HERE.
The Sweet Relief Fund also added new items to their Jesse Malin fund store, including new benefit t-shirts, tank tops, and a mug.
There’s also a new Dave Stekert-directed music video, produced before Jesse’s stroke, of a new recording of his song “The Fine Art of Self Destruction.” He’s joined by his guitar player Derek Cruz for the rendition, which he’s called “The Fine Art of Self Destruction (Lonely Process),” and you can watch it below.
