On November 20th my life was irrevocably changed when I attempted to stop a gunmans rampage in the Tacoma Mall. Shot five times while drawing my own weapon, I was instantly paralyzed and left for dead.
Apparently these days the phrase "Young man, I think you better put that weapon down." translates these days into "Please fill me full of bullets."
The shooter did however look down the barrel of my gun for a fraction of a second and didn’t like the view. He went in to the next store and after taking hostages eventually surrendered. For that, I was credited with "stopping" his rampage.
It was over an hour before I could receive medical attention and many more hours in surgery. If not for the quick efforts of Crystal Tyler and Moses Martinez yelling at me when ever I closed my eyes and keeping me from meeting Jesus (and my eternal freaking peace!); my wounds might have been too much for my surgeons.
With between 30 and 40 people waiting in the Emergency and then Intensive Care wards I had a lot of prayers and support. And for the hospital: Much needed revenue from ticket sales and auctioning off my possessions on Ebay.
Of course with the afore mentioned prayers; they sould have been more specific as to the time I would walk again.
After my surgeries I had a steady stream of visitors keeping my spirits up, not least of which were the friends I made in the comedy community.
At the behest of my friend (and fellow Comedy Kaleidoscoper) Ty Barnett; Kris Brannon (another friend and member of my troupe), Travis Simmons & Susan Jones organized a benefit concert that showcased no less than 30 comedians and raised several thousand dollars. Now, a little more than six months later & after hundreds of hours of physical therapy: I regained use of my right leg and can walk short distances in a walker or forearm crutches.
I have since returned to my writing and have been hired to tell my story as a guest and motivational speaker. And on the physical side: The smallest of controllable twitches has entered my left leg. I have had tens of thousands of people praying for me and may God forgive me; I was beginning to have my doubts. But with God, I expect to be walking soon.
Thank you Lord. And thank you reader if you made it this far.
I’m Dan McKown and I Support This Message.
Comedy Kaleidoscope work, Adventure Northwest, High Five Challenge and lots and lots of news reports!
Films
Uh...Does anyone need a crippled Scotsman?
Albums
Albums I made? Or albums I own?
Anywho, wouldn't they be CDs?
But keep a watch out, Comedy Kaleidoscope presents: COMICS WORKING CLEAN (starring Ty Barnett, Shawn Lawrence, Kris Brannon, Lee Flemming and Myself) is in the editing stage and will be available on my website.
Dan McKown's Interests
General
Movies
I can say the obvious (Iron Man, Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, Pixar Movies, etc...) but some of my favorite and less known movies:
From the Hip, the Frisco Kid, One Fine Day, Mystery Men, 12 Angry Men (I really liked the Showtime version), 13th Warrior, a Fish Called Wanda, Galaxy Quest, the Man that Knew too Little, Hitch, That Thing You Do, Rushmore, Midnight Run, Planes Trains & Automobiles, the Ref, and What About Bob?
Feel free to use the latter for Movie Rental recommendations.
Television
Dick Van Dyke, Phil Silvers Show, Colbert Report, Fraiser, Fawlty Towers, Bosom Buddies, MASH, News Radio, King of Queens, Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, Older SNL, House, Jimmy Neutron, Mr. Bean, Powerpuff Girls (That's right I said it!), Black Adder, David Letterman, Heroes, Older Family Guy (Before the Christian Bashing), Monty Python's Flying Circus, History Channel Documentaries, Maverick, Night Court, Simpsons, and Arli$$.
Books
Currently writing a Fantasy series that had been intended for television. Also have been working on a book about the shooting but, to be honest; my heart isn't in to that project (That's right: I wasn't motivated to write a motivational speaking book!). So now I'm writing a comical/motivational/autobiography. This one has been fun! More to come.
Heroes
Martin Luther, Chief Joseph, Martin Luther King and Joan of Arc. Super Heroes: Iron Man, the Vision, Quicksilver, the Black Panther and Captain America.
About me: I am going to rewrite this section to talk less about the shooting and more about who I am and what I, Comedy Kaleidoscope or my writing are doing/intending to do. I don't want to deemphasize what I did or tried to do; but I am more than a single attempt at heroism. As such, I need to move beyond that.
If I am crippled, I'm crippled. I'll need to adjust to that. I still am in denial to a point. Physical therapy has been helpful; but slooooow. If I walk again (without these damnable crutches and leg brace) it will be at a time when God chooses (not me or my bluster).
Thank God for...well Himself and my friends and family members who are friends. Thanks for the comedians who help occupy my time and efforts. Thank God for my writing which I need to spend more time with.
Thank God for you; the reader and possible MySpace friend. You give me an audience I have neglected for too long. Expect things from me and the Comedy Kaleidoscope guys & gals real soon.
Sincerest in Christ, Dan
Who I'd like to meet: There are so many great comedians and heroes out there; I'd post them but then I'd miss one and have that whole 'Ross' "laminated list" from Friends moment. It might be easier to say who I wished I had met when they were alive (and I was an adult): Phil Harman, Bernie Mac, Phil Silvers, John Ritter, & Chris Farley. There are historical figures as well, but I went with people who were sharing the planet with me at the same time. But, people of Character, Honor, Humor and Faith are always a pleasure.
Thanks for supporting our Troops! I appreciate it and I know our Troops appreciate it.
If you would like to help us thank those still serving overseas and help those coming home wounded, please stop by the profile, read the latest blog and do what you can.
Thanks for supporting our Troops! I appreciate it and I know our Troops appreciate it.
If you would like to help us thank those still serving overseas and help those coming home wounded, please stop by the profile, read the latest blog and do what you can.
I really appreciate your support and helping spread the word - as a group we can really make a difference! Hope you are doing well and you have a great week!
Help support our troops by visiting the Military Troops Calendar Myspace page (on my top friends), www. militarytroopscalendar. com or my Myspace page and click the Paypal button. Proceeds go to the Fisher House, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and allow us to send the calendars to the troops serving overseas free of charge to thank them for their service to our country. Our goal is to send 17,000 overseas within the next couple weeks. Thank you for your support!
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