Nicole Montero/Asst. News Director
Five years ago, James “Woody” Beckham suffered a spinal cord injury during a rugby game in college. He could not move his hands and wrists and lacked a strong grip.
“Now, I’ve gotten a lot stronger,” said Beckham.
“I did electric stimulation and therapy and, over time, I regained a little bit of wrist functioning, though I still only have like 30 percent of hand and wrist functioning. I still don’t have a strong grip, but your level of paralysis depends on which muscles function and which muscles don’t.”
Beckham, a senior finance major, and the Woody Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to raising funds for people with paralysis, are now hosting a benefit concert to help raise awareness on different kinds of paralysis, like brain injuries and diseases like ALS, among many others.
“This is our third year doing the Woodystock Festival, which goes to benefit the Woody Foundation,” said Beckham, namesake of the foundation.
“We’re dedicating this to help [fund] research and equipment and we’re trying to grow [the benefit] this year, so there’s a great lineup.”
The goal is to raise money for equipment and research in different aspects of paralysis — like money for assistive devices.
As part of the event, all guests receive a “Woody Pack,” a backpack with assistive devices, which range from side bags for wheelchairs, cup holders, phone cases and retractable ID holders, among other things.
“These devices have helped me a lot in my life and I just kind of put together all these things that I’ve used,” Beckham said.
“We give away like 100 or more every year, and I don’t know anyone who is doing anything like this, so it’s very unique and important.”
The Woody Foundation has raised over $300,000 for various causes in over four years and has donated over $100,000 to Jackson Memorial Hospital alone, according to Beckham.
“We donate funds to buy new equipment and sponsor outpatient events at Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital, which is one the biggest hospitals for spinal cord rehabilitation in the country,” he said. “Many programs are funded by having access to these funds.”
Alexis Francos, a sophomore biology major, said her sister suffered a brain injury when she was younger. She thinks the benefit will be a fun and educative way to spend time together.
“We love music and we’re always together, so this is the ideal place for us: a place where we can have fun and also help an amazing cause,” she said.
Jason Martinez, a freshman engineering major, agrees and thinks people need to be more aware of topics of paralysis because it’s something that has become “almost taboo.”
“We see someone in a wheelchair or with some sort of physical disability and we get scandalized and run away from them,” he said. “It’s ridiculous and this benefit is a step in [changing] that. Everyone needs to take advantage because these people are usually the most humble and funniest people out there.”
The Woodystock Benefit Festival will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in Historic Virginia Key Beach in Key Biscayne. It includes art, food and live performances by The Expendables, Maxi Priest, Cris Cab and Bachaco.
Tickets are $20 pre-sale, $30 at the door and $80 for VIP. They can be purchased at woodyfoundation.org.
“We just want to raise as much as possible,” said Beckham. “We don’t have a specific number in mind because we don’t know how many people are coming, but the more people the better. We’re just hoping to make the most we can so we can help programs and help fund more projects.”
-nicole.montero@fiusm.com
Photo Courtesy of the Woody Foundation.
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