Piano man

[strange_complex]

You may remember the story of the 'Piano Man', who was found wandering in the rain in Kent in April. He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, and although unable or unwilling to speak or write words, he did draw a picture of a grand piano, and played fluently upon the hospital's chapel piano when taken to it by staff.

The story has very much dropped out of the news, but it stuck in my mind enough to make me wonder what had become of this man, and do a bit of Googling today to try to find out. I rather assumed there would have been a happy resolution by now, even if the press hadn't bothered to report it, since a full two months have passed since he was found.

Sadly, however, there has not. I found a series of press statements about him made by Kent and Medway NHS since he was brought into their care, and statement 10 reveals that, as of yesterday, his identity had still not been established, despite 200 possible names being supplied by the public. He is still being cared for by the hospital, still unnamed, still not communicating by any means other than music.

I don't know whether my interest in him is real compassion or mere curiosity. But communicating in words is such a fundamental part of being human that it is hard not to feel frustrated for someone who has locked themselves out from doing so, and to long to help them to reintegrate themselves into the great human conversation. And his ability to communicate through the piano of course only throws his linguistic silence into sharper relief, making it all the more unbearable that he does not speak, because it hints (probably misleadingly) that he would say fine and profound things if he did. I know there are many people in the world much worse off than him, but his story touches me strangely. I hope he finds himself soon.

Comments

[aellia.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that..I was wondering,too.

[aellia.livejournal.com]

His face looks oddly familiar to me..as if I've seen him before..may have done,as I live in Kent

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

I am glad I am not the only one bewitched by this story.

hmmm,I cannot see him,the links do not work for me,SURPRISE

[syrcleoftrees.livejournal.com]

You know there have been times in my life I have found the human voice to be unbearable. I go off and live in the woods,(the cabin).For months at the time.I am thinking of doing this soon,about the piano man,I think he may have had such an expirence,like he was abducted by aliens and just dropped off there?Or,he has gone bust and wantd to play,eat,and be cared for ,so he is just being this way to eat,play piano,be taken care of.Seriously,there was this lady found in New Orleans about ten years ago,and last I heard she is still unknown as to who she is.I do not know if she can play piano.Sad,story,I do wonder and will for a long time about him,as I have about the lady. HT05

[ditzy-pole.livejournal.com]

I have been fascinated by this story too.

This is just a slightly more descriptive version of the original article.
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/05/29/uk.pianoman/

In the Metro paper a couple of weeks ago they had an article stating that this was a hoax - they claimed that it was a band member or someone of the sorts trying to get publicity to regain his failing career. Funnily enough the story was quickly dismissed!

[hellywelly-.livejournal.com]

I still think about him, and worry for him in case the people who removed his means of identification ever catch up with him again.

i also read that for a while he wasn't ALLOWED a piano in his room. Shocking inhumanity to a man whose only means of communication it is.