A women’s centre in Kentish Town is hosting an open-mic night to raise money so a severely disabled man can have pioneering stem-cell treatment in China.
Daniel Roque Hall, 34, suffers from a Friedrich’s ataxia, a rare, life-limiting genetic condition which has left him wheelchair bound, in crippling pain and requiring constant care.
His mother, Anne, is asking the public to join them on Saturday at the Crossroads Women’s Centre in Kentish Town, with all proceeds going towards Daniel’s £35,000 treatment costs.
Anne said: “The treatment won’t cure him, but it could prolong his life and should, hopefully, significantly enhance his quality of life.”
Daniel’s degenerative condition has left him unable to move any part of his body independently. He suffers from diabetes, excruciating joint pain and has a progressive form of heart disease known as cardiomyopathy.
Anne said: “In spite of the pain and chronic tiredness, Daniel has a zest for life. He likes people, and manages to be positive a lot of the time. He has a degree in economics with Spanish, and this treatment might enable him to do more of the things that he wants to do, like writing.”
Daniel hit the headlines in 2012 as a “disabled convict” when he was jailed for smuggling drugs in his wheelchair as he travelled back from Peru, although the trial judge accepted he had been manipulated into carrying out the offence.
His mother said: “I don’t want people to just think of Daniel in relation to this incident. He served his time, and people should not be defined by one event in their lives.”
Daniel was sentenced to three years in prison and sent to Wormwood Scrubs, but the notorious west London prison was not set up to deal with his particular medical needs, and he ended up serving most of his time in hospital.
The open mic night will feature a caricaturist and raffle prizes including a week in Spain, tickets to top West End shows and meals in high-end restaurants.
The event takes place in Wolsey Mews in Kentish Town. Tickets cost £10 full price, but readers can get them for the discount price of £7 by entering the code HAMANDHIGH from the event website
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