(Updated 2/1/2012) The story you’re about to read is still unfolding. On January 18th a U.S. citizen by the name of Ken Danna, who works in Taiwan as an English teacher, but whose real passion has always been performing music and dance was just going about his day. What happened next is nothing less than a miracle.

 

At 5pm, Ken fell from his sixth floor balcony, while trying to hang up a plant. He hit some awnings and the side of a car on the way down, and somehow, that was enough to slow his momentum and survive the impact.

 

The injuries Ken sustained in the fall left him in critical condition. Ken suffered multiple fractures and contusions, a collapsed lung, and damage to his spine. He requires a breathing tube, dialysis, and a pelvic brace. Thankfully, he suffered no brain damage and since the accident has made gradual improvement. Still, there’s a long, long way to go.

 

Now, if not for the fact that our paths crossed many years ago, I might never have been privy to this amazing story. Yet our paths did cross—at least for a time—and thus, I’d like to share my experience of Ken for I think it speaks of his good-nature and character.

 

Back in the early 1990’s, I lived on Whidbey Island. Whidbey is located in the State of Washington and lies north of Seattle in Puget Sound. I originally met Ken at the Whidbey Playhouse, a community theater located in Oak Harbor on the North end of the island. Ken was always interested in music and was involved with a number of the shows there.

 

At the time, I owned a small manufacturing company. The company was quite seasonal so I’d hire help on occasion. One of the last years I lived on the island, Ken was out of work and needed a job so I hired him.

 

Ken was a great worker. He showed up every day with the song in his heart that would inevitably bubble forth and burst from his lips. That made work more enjoyable for everyone involved. In fact, Ken would even make up little ditties about some of our products—ditties we’d all join in singing as we went about our day. You see, music and singing has always been Ken’s passion. I remember he particularly loved the Beatles, but he played the guitar as he sang and had an amazing and varied repertoire.

 

I think the thing that always struck me about Ken was his undying enthusiasm. I’m sure some thought it was a little odd the way he always seemed so high on life, but I have to say his laughter and good spirit was infectious and he was fun to be around. The truth is I’ve never met anyone else who always strives and succeeds in maintaining such a positive and upbeat attitude on life.

 

I came to love and respect Ken as an employee. Ken would work hard and get the job done. And if I had extra work, even outside of the business, he’d be more than willing to help out. For example, I lived on a 7 acre tract at the time that was largely pasture. And while we occasionally rented some of the land out to a local farmer to graze cattle, there was a time when it sat idle and the grass in the field would start getting out of hand. I had Ken mow it for me on several occasions.

 

It was quite a sight to witness as Ken bounced along on our old riding mower. Back then he had one of those portable CD players, which he’d hook  up and play while he mowed. He’d then sing along to his music as he went about the job, but not as you might expect. The fact is Ken was never bashful about how loud he sang. Indeed, he’d sing so loud you could hear him a quarter to half mile away. I remember several neighbors asking about that guy who belted it out while mowing. They all thought he was terrific. He was.

 

Ken also offered to watch my boys from time to time as I went down to Seattle on business. My boy’s were still very young and impressionable at the time so my wife and I wouldn’t leave them with just anyone. That ought to tell you something about how much we trusted him. Yet he earned that trust. He was a great sitter, the boys loved him, and he even taught them the basics of playing the guitar. To this day, my youngest son who now plays professionally as a musician in Europe remembers plucking out the chords with Ken as they sang that old America tune, “A Horse With No Name”.

 

I wanted to share this small bit of my history to let you know that though it’s been many years since I last saw Ken in person, and though my experience of him the past couple years has only been via Facebook, I still think of Ken as one of the good guys. That’s why hearing about his accident really hit me so hard. I just can’t begin to understand what it must feel like to be so full of passion for song and dance, survive a six story fall, and now be tied to a hospital bed.

 

Without doubt, Ken’s survival from such a fall borders on the miraculous. Now, I just hope and pray that he has a complete and total recovery. One thing seems certain: The road ahead will be difficult and grueling.

 

From the reports I read, Ken is surrounded by friends and family, his strength seems to be returning, but he still faces a surgery to repair his spine. Will he walk or dance again? I honestly don’t know enough to say. Will he sing again? Knowing what I know of him, I bet there’s no known force in the universe that can ever hinder that.

 

Though you may not know Ken, I’d like to ask a personal favor. Please offer your prayers or thoughts for his speedy recovery. And if his story touches you at all, please consider donating (even a few dollars) to the fund that’s been established to help cover some of his medical expenses. Any and all help will be much appreciated by Ken and his family. If you’d like to donate there’s a website that’s been established in his name (click here).  Finally, if you’re interested to know more, there’s a facebook page established to show support for Ken—you can find it on Facebook here.

 

Update: On January 31, Ken’s condition finally improved enough the doctors performed an operation on his back. The operation was described as successful. They were able to clean up a burst fracture in L2 and stabilize other disks with donor bone from Ken’s ribs. Ken’s color is improving and he continues to demonstrate his usual good cheer. Now, we just wait and hope for more improvement. Meanwhile, the cost of Ken’s hospitalization is adding up. Again, if you can see your way clear to donate even a few dollars it will be much appreciated. You can donate at the link above.

 

All the best Ken. Here’s to your speedy recovery.

 

By Bob Anderson