News & Media

War Stained Skin, A Broken Neck and A Dream

Stories like Jade Bell's are testaments to the strength of the human spirit. Without being able to see, speak clearly, use his arms or legs, and bound to a chair Jade has managed in the last year alone to: head his non-profit foundation, co-create the groundwork for a music program for at risk youth, prepare the launch of a full band CD release and fundraiser event, all while his 3rd full length album is well under way in the recording studio. Through this work, Jade continues to stay true to his poetic spirit, by writing lyrics, creating musical collaborations and dreaming of life to come.

Jade gets some pain relief, with his first meeting and embrace with his new born niece.

If that weren't a full plate; on the morning of December 2nd, en route to the recording studio, Jade was parked on the landing outside his front door. To the shock of Jade and those with him, his brakes weren't on and he did a face plant off the six-inch drop, onto the lawn. The ambulance was called and Jade was brought to Lady Minto where he was treated for injuries to his forehead. He was released with six stitches and the notion that he'd suffered whiplash and a concussion. Five weeks later when the pain didn't seem to be subsiding, Jade got a CAT scan revealing news that was even more painful; he had in fact broken his neck!

Jade Bell suffered an anoxic brain injury in 1997 from a lethal injection of heroin and cocaine while heavily intoxicated with alcohol. As a result, he lost his sight and mobility from a muscle disorder called Dystonia and became dependent on twenty-four hour care. To communicate, his head taps sensors mounted on his chair, translating Morse code into letters, words and sentences. He has devoted his life since his overdose, to educating youth on the dangers of drug use and his message has reached over two-hundred thousand students in our country with the aid of his computer-generated voice

When asked how his neck feels today and what his ambitions for the future are, he smiled; then slowly mouthed letter by letter to his caregiver, who interpreted what he said.

"It feels like King Kong Bundy has had me in a headlock for the last month. Some people assume, because I'm in a chair, that I'm paralyzed and can't feel anything neck-down. My condition is quite the opposite, for my sense of touch has only enhanced since my overdose. Sure the pain I felt with breaking my neck is indescribable, but I'm so grateful to still be able to feel, and to have the mobility I do have with my body. It seemed like the Universe was being a big comedian when it happened because I was in the midst of organizing a fundraiser and CD release event for my second album "War Stained Skin", plus working on my third album. The last thing I thought I needed to deal with was slower means of communication. I didn't postpone my event plans in trust that it would come together with the help of the community, and my team of Angels who help me with my emails. My ambitions for the future are to live the emotions that inspire my creative expression. I believe pain has been a way to tap into a higher intelligence and creativity has been a tool for me to express my experiences with both pain and love. I hope to have a successful album release fundraiser, complete my third album, ‘Black Swan' and to launch a Kickstarter campaign that will fund a trial run of my dream project; Salty Rock Music Recording and Mentorship Program. This is a program that encourages youth to explore creative expression, rather than harbouring their feelings inside and masking them with drugs."

Jade wanted to end our short, but poignant interview with this acknowledgement.

"I want to extent my appreciation to the collaborating artists and musicians who I have had the privilege to work with, in the last seven years. It's been nothing less than magical to collaborate with artists like Ananda Sinclair, a soul brother who connects with my lyrics and mirrors their emotion with authenticity and conviction in his beautiful voice. As well I want to thank the collective of totally amazing local talent that have volunteered their time to bring my words and message to life, in song, on the 28th of March."

View More Info on CD Release Party

On March 2nd The Salt Spring Film Festival is screening locally-filmed Harpooned Soul: The Jade Bell Story which captures this man's inspirational quest to help kids choose a creative path over the use of drugs. Be sure to come and check out this life changing film at the Gulf Islands Secondary School and follow the journey to the album release and fundraiser event on March 28th at ArtSpring Theatre. All funds raised at the "War Stained Skin" album release, and proceeds from Jade's album sales go directly to helping establish and sustain Salty Rock Music Program. For more information about the documentary and the Salty Rock Music Recording and Mentorship Program please visit Jade's registered non-profit foundation at jadeskids.org.

Written by Beth Stupple.

View PDF of The Driftwood article above
https://www.facebook.com/events/520961934688859/
http://artspring.ca/event/war-stained-skin-release-fundraiser/
http://www.saltspringfilmfestival.com/films/2014/harpooned-soul-the-jade-bell-story

March 28 @ ArtSpring Theatre Doors:6:30, Show:8:00
War Stained Skin; Jade Bell CD RELEASE and FUNDRAISER benefitting Salty Rock Music Recording and Mentorship Program, for youth in the Gulf Islands. SILENT AUCTION with GREAT PRIZES!! Performances by amazing local talent including: Ananda Sinclair, Billie Woods, Rama&Ashton of Sweet Water Revolver, James Cowan, Jamyn Wagler, Betty Supple, Elijah Stepaniuk, Marley Daemon, Michelle Footz, Donn Tarris and others! Tickets $25@ArtSpring Theatre and include 3 song EP of Jade Bell's next album: "Black Swan"

Media Archive

April 9, 2011: Jade's KIDS Foundation held its first annual Dodgeball Tournament Fundraiser
Here is a TV interview clip with Koichi Paxton, Director of the KIDS Foundation:

May 9, 2011 Presentation: William Lucas Continuing Education Centre, North Vancouver

Isaac Slade of the band "The Fray" Urges people attending the Gala Fundraiser Dinner at the Vancouver Club in November of 2009 to donate to the foundation.

December 2, 2008: Catherine Barr reports on a fundraiser for Jade's KIDS Foundation
Kids Independent of Drugs was held at the Vancouver Club. The special fundraiser was held at the Vancouver Club thanks to the support of West Vancouver's Martyn Element (and Element and Associates) and other North Shore notables.