Help needed for Dusty Webb; left arm amputated
Aloha Mia Kakou (hello to everyone)!
I am a friend of Mr. Dusty Webb, on his behalf I am launching this GoFundMe campaign in order to raise emergency funds for him. He has had a storied and long career in the Movie business and top TV series in New Mexico. He went back to college late in life and is very close to earning his master’s degree.
He worked for years as a Rattlesnake Wrangler. Ironically, in December he was camping in Hawaii and was bitten on his left hand by a centipede. They inflicted a flesh-eating Virus and bacteria. To save his life, they had to cut it out, and amputate his left Arm. He has been an inspiration to many. Let me share with you, this man’s story, please read on below.
Dusty had a successful career in New Mexico Film, working as a member of IATSE-480, an Art Director, PropMaster, and SFX Tech.
He has always had a connection with animals, which lead to Rattlesnake Wrangling. For years he protected animals and people. He said to me, “When our big-time actors arrived in New Mexico, they came to our location, on set (in rattlesnake country), afraid and worried. I comforted them with a welcoming smile and then I assured them… “I have your back!” In the ten years I did Rattlesnake abatement, no one was bitten on set or location, on my watch!”
He moved to Hawaii in 2018, to attend the University of Hawaii - Manoa to complete his master’s degree in Performing Arts: Directing and Acting. Also, TYA: Theatre for Youth Audiences. As an Actor he has worked many venues, including being a professional real bearded Santa Claus, for 16 years.
While working in film, he went to college. He supported his family: wife and two baby girls. He’s a proud father. But - it was not easy to make ends meet.
He did well at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Last semester he earned all “A's.”
Dec. 7, 2021 was meaningful to his Hawaiian family. His Tutu (grandmother). Young Aunt and Snooky (his mother) lived in Pearl City. They watched the bombs fall in the attack. The day of infamy.
On Dec 7th, 1941 during the attack at Pearl Harbor, his Grandfather Danial Aka, lost his Arm. Tutu’s husband, George Seeke, was in the Navy… he lost his life that day.
Dusty had been saving money for an apartment so his wife and daughters could join him in Honolulu. Coincidentally his vehicle went into the shop when he went into the hospital. It cost $4,050 to repair. That was all the money he had saved towards getting a place.
He went camping just North of Pearl Harbor. During the night while he slept, he was bitten by a centipede. He woke up and his hand was swollen and discolored. Sick and Nauseous, He drove home. His hand was purple, and the swelling was moving up his arm. He could not stand. He called 911. After that, He said he just remembers waking up in ER.
Here’s his description of the surgery.
“My head was foggy like a dream. They were shaving my 20 y/o beard off. No! I worked so hard for that perfect Santa Claus beard. A Doctor came up. He said, “Mr. Webb, we must amputate to save your life... You have a flesh-eating virus and bacteria that is moving up your arm, it can explode like a volcano”. I said to myself… "No! God, please help me! Not my hand? I took a big breath and pulled it together. Ok, I immediately accepted the situation, things change in one’s life. Some things you can’t fix. I want to live! Ok… No Santa Claus, and no more left hand. I don’t know what my path, or journey will be. The only thing I know is to trust God. He will illuminate my way. I drifted out again."
He woke up and they were pushing his gurney into surgery. The double doors swung open. Blasting through the air was this stomping beat… and Queen was playing and singing … “We will, we will Rock you.” He got this big ol’ smile and knew it was going to be ok. He prayed; "God guide those surgeons’ hands."
Then he saw these big white blinding surgery lights. He could swear he saw angels.
He said "This kind face came up over me. She put a blue cup over my nose and said… 'you’re going to go to sleep now. You’re going to be ok.' I actually did fade to black."
He woke up, and his hand was gone. It was December 9, 2021. It was his Birthday. And he was alone.
Dusty has been in and out of the Hospital since his birthday. The virus and bacteria came back last month. They had to Amputate his arm twice, once to the elbow, then up to the shoulder. He had three operations, so far.
He recently worked a Halloween show in October as an actor. After that he was hospitalized, he hasn’t worked for 5 months.
He self-funded himself last semester at UHM. He still owes $2,050. He was counting on financial aid, but it’s delayed because of COVID, at the worst possible time. He only has two semesters to go at University of Hawaii-Manoa before he earns his master’s degree. His TYA (Theatre for Youth Audience) will help him work with stage productions for children. College has been a 12-year journey.
By circumstances and COVID, the family was caught in separation limbo. It’s been over 1 year.
He has been discharged from treatment, is still recovering. Due to lack of funds, he is living in his car.
Please show mercy for Dusty Webb and donate what you're able to, so that he has enough to cover his care and possibly save his life. It will help him immensely to get into his own place, and finally reunite with his family and get the care and love he needs. And then finally, he can reunite with his family and complete his goal of becoming a Master in Performing Arts.
Dusty said to tell you:
“Thank you for your generosity and sharing. I’ve learned, ‘it’s not how we die, it’s how we live.’ I’m happy to be here. I still have much to do! Life is like a shooting star… it’s bright and wonderful, then in an instant… it’s gone. Hug someone you love today. Aloha”.
Some videos below to get to know Dusty:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=pBHn8GFfvNg&feature=emb_logo