The Mike Drop(ped)

Remember Mike King, the “Mic King”? Mike came to Chicago to work at WCFL and helped Dick Orkin create the “Chicken Man” series, worked at Joy Recording, Universal Recording, Chicago Recording Company, and started Audio Recording Unlimited which continues today. He won many many Clios and awards for many writers and producers in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. He stood for hours and hours making you sound good, helped many voice over people get started, was a very generous boss at ARU, volunteered his skills for many, and all while making jokes and puns to amuse.

Mike was still making the jokes in retirement, but life is no joke right now. Many years of standing at the console made his back weak, and a fall a few weeks ago actually broke his back in half. He has an inoperable fracture in the thoracic spine (that’s near the diaphragm). His only option is bed rest flat on his back for two months - in pain, being fed pudding only and needing nursing care to turn him to avoid pressure sores. This will be one tough session.

You might think that Medicare would cover this treatment. But we are told that because he cannot do therapy, Medicare does not. If you aren’t covered by Medicare, nobody wants you unless you have the bucks. We do not have the kind of bucks this treatment demands. There is some hope to get him on Medicaid (a lengthy process) which would help, but first we have to get him into a nursing home.

Do you think you could stand up for the guy who stood so long for everyone's best?!