A roller coaster of a LP story

The Underground
#1

Hey guys :slight_smile:

I haven’t posted on the LPU forums since about the time Minutes to Midnight was released and even then I was a bit of a lurker and only posted a couple of times.
I just wanted to share some events that have happened to me since then, since they quite heavily involve LP. It may start off depressing… and then get bad again but it ends wonderfully, I swear! Read it with the knowledge that I’m fine now!

Ok so I’m Malcolm, 21 from Scotland. It all started when I was 14… One morning I had a brain haemorrhage (it’s fine I got off school for months). It was May 11th 2007. I was already a huge Linkin Park fan and, for those not up to speed on their LP trivia, Minutes to Midnight came out (in Europe) three days later which was just in time for me to wake up from a coma. I had the album on repeat in my little side-room in hospital, meaning the first song I heard after waking up was called “Wake”, which I find kind of funny.

Anyway the brain haemorrhage left a few scars, both literally and metaphorically. There were a few effects but the main ones were nausea, slurred speech and a tremor (basically I shake a lot). It also messed up my balance and coordination to the point that I was in a wheelchair for a few weeks. Thanks to doing physiotherapy - over three years - I went from the wheelchair to a walking frame, to crutches, to one crutch, to a walking stick to (finally) nothing at all. For those keeping score, I was now 17 and almost back to normal. I was entering my final year at school. My friends knew I was a big LP fan so 8 of us bought tickets to see them in Newcastle, England on Nov 5th 2010. I applied for the M&G and I actually got in!

Fair warning: This next part sucks. Even more so than what you’ve already read. It gets better, honest…

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. A few weeks before the show, on October 19th it all happened again and I had another brain haemorrhage. Same drill. Hospital, physio etc. It basically hit reset on my symptoms from the last time and I’ve been trying to get better again for the past few years. (Getting there)

Depressingness over.

So yeah, basically I’m now 21 and have tickets to see LP at Download festival (a bit of a trek from Edinburgh but it’s the only UK tour date and I’ve developed a bit of a “fuck it” mentality). I thought I’d apply for the M&G again and to my amazement I got in!

It’s been a long time coming but I can’t wait! Maybe I’ll see some of you there.

Thanks for reading :slight_smile:

#2

I’m glad you survived, my friend…
Very interesting story…

#3

What a story!
Hope you are ok now!
Have fun with LP!
Enjoy the show!

#4

Thank you :). I’m glad too! I’m a lot better now. I still use a crutch in busy places sometimes (like at the gig) and I get really tired so I’ll probably sleep for a few days afterwards but yes, I’ll do my best to enjoy it :slight_smile:

#5

You know… I sometimes wish to look the likes of you… I want something to help always maintain. But most of all bring tears.
Most importantly, that now you’re okay.

#6

You know… I sometimes wish to look the likes of you… I want something to help always maintain. But most of all bring tears.
Most importantly, that now you’re okay.
[/quote]

I think I know what you mean. I’m not going to lie, if I could change it all so it never happened, I’d do it in a heartbeat, but at the same time it definitely helped shape who I am today and I kind of like who I am today.

#7

Wow, what a wild story! Glad to hear you’re doing better! Keep at it man! I wish you all the luck in getting into the m&g! Good luck and have fun at Download! You are lucky to be seeing Hybrid Theory in full so enjoy it and live it up man!!

#8

Totally agree with you…
Moreover, music allows us to overcome difficulties and gives forces. Personally, I have so much)

#9

What a story! I hope you’re getting better and better every day. Have fun at the show and m&g!

#10

[quote=AdieK84]What a story! I hope you’re getting better and better every day. Have fun at the show and m&g!
[/quote]

Thanks guys it means a lot :). Yeah I can’t wait to see HT in full! The m&g too. It’ll all be awesome!

#11

Hey great story dude, it’s very awesome that LP’s music keeps you inspired and happy with life. I hope you have a great time at the festival!

#12

[quote=AlexR]Hey great story dude, it’s very awesome that LP’s music keeps you inspired and happy with life. I hope you have a great time at the festival!
[/quote]

Thanks man

#13

i’m glad you’re standing still after everything you went through, i hope you’ll have a great time and that LP’s music will always inspire you as much as it did so far.

#14

Have an amazing fucking time dude! You deserve it!

#15

Thank you both :). I’m sure I will enjoy it!

#16

Hey everyone, just an update I suppose. I went and it was so much better than I imagined! Everyone was so nice. I got my HTEP signed, was given one of Rob’s drumsticks and also an actual drum skin that he played and the whole band signed it.

I spoke to Chester for a long time too, here’s a photo - http://lpunderground.com/media/photos/58973/1831033

It was amazing, I’ll never forget it :slight_smile:

#17

Wow! What a story! I got goose bumpe all over!!!
It’s great to hear that you are rehabilitated again!
I’m a nurse and I work at a station main focus vegetative state and paraplegic syndrome.
So I know what you’re talking about!

Can it be that you’re the boy on the m&g photos, Chester kneels before?
It’s great that you got an new opportunity to meet Linkin Park!
Their music make us really strong!
Take care and I wish you all the best!!!

#18

[quote=Chazy Chaz]Wow! What a story! I got goose bumpe all over!!!
It’s great to hear that you are rehabilitated again!
I’m a nurse and I work at a station main focus vegetative state and paraplegic syndrome.
So I know what you’re talking about!

Can it be that you’re the boy on the m&g photos, Chester kneels before?
It’s great that you got an new opportunity to meet Linkin Park!
Their music make us really strong!
Take care and I wish you all the best!!!

[/quote]
Thanks a lot! Yeah that’s me in the photos. I saw the cameras at the time so I was hoping a few would be uploaded but I didn’t expect so many! It was such a good day. Thanks, you too.

#19

[quote=mhs92]
Thanks a lot! Yeah that’s me in the photos. I saw the cameras at the time so I was hoping a few would be uploaded but I didn’t expect so many! It was such a good day. Thanks, you too.[/quote]

Thanks to you! That you share your story with us! It shows how strong we people can be and how big may be the influential of Linkin Park’s music.
You got my full respect!!!

#20

What an amazing story: I truly believe that music has the power to do incredible things and the fact that Wake came on when it did. Sometimes I think that some things are meant to be. I was gutted about not going to the first lpu summit in London as wasn’t allowed time off my work placement but I’m in a much better place now physically and mentally.

Wishing you every success with your recovery!!