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Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects muscle movement, motor skills, and muscle tone. The disorder also leads to other health issues, which include, speech problems, learning disabilities, and affects hearing and vision.  CP is one of the most common congenital disorders of childhood. (Congenital-existing before birth or at birth) Approximately 500,000 Children and adults of all ages in the United States have the condition. (oddly enough) It is not inherited. There is no cure.

When Ben was an infant Neil & Pegi began contemplating their youngest Sons plight. They were told by experts that they would probably never be able to interact with Ben on any level beyond that of being his caregivers, and that Bens quality of life would be minimal.

Now here’s the thing, anyone who knows Neil Young, also knows that this man is a, seriously creative, over achiever, and the word “CAN'T” does not exsist in his vocabulary. Survival mode started at a very early age for Neil. At the age of three Neil survived nearly drowning, at six, he battled Polio, he has suffered from epilepsy for many years. Not to mention surviving the 60’s, Vietnam, rock and roll, and drugs. All the while, maintaining his creative integrity, and artistic value. He’s given the world some of the most prolific music of his generation.

That, is just barely scratching the surface of his achievements. Neil is a very complex man, a man of many layers. But where Ben is concerned in Neils life
it is simple, as simple as the love that a Father has
for his Son.

In the 1980’s Neil’s public image went through some drastic changes. His fans, and critics alike were baffled by just about everything he produced commercially. The entire decade was a series of albums filled with distorted, electronically, synthesized, sounds. With very minimal lyrical value. He was sued, by David Geffen, for producing “unrepresentative” music  (Music that did not sound like Neil Young).

As many have learned, There is always method to this mans madness. No, he did not lose his mind. He just knew where his mind needed to be. That time belonged to his family. They needed him, Ben needed him. So Neil worked his magic for them. He put his highly creative and tenacious spirit to work, determined to find a way to communicate with his son. He and wife Pegi teamed together. Their goal was to give their son the “quality” of life he deserved. To do this took, determination, education and sacrifice. Music was on the back burner for the first time in his life, producing just enough to maintain his career.

The couple enrolled in a program designed to teach
Ben basic motor skills, the days were long, as many
as 14 hrs a day. They educated themselves and
worked with Ben, to teach him to crawl. They did
this for a grueling 18 months.

Frustrated by experiences such as this, on one of Pegi’s many trips to the hospital, in the waiting room
she struck up a conversation with another Father, Jim Forder, who was also frustrated by his experiences
with local schools. This conversation ultimately led to the formation of “The Bridge School.” While Pegi's President of the board.  Neil uses his public image
and his fame to generate funds. About 70 percent of the schools funding comes from the annual “Bridge School Benefit Concerts” a two day festival held in Mountain view, Ca. At the Shoreline Amphitheater, Artists and musicians from all genres of music have come out to support the school, for the past 20 years. Neil credits Pegi for the schools success, saying he is just the PR Guy.

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The Bridge School is an educational program, designed to help children with severe speech and physical impairments, to communicate, using augmentative and alternative means of communication, (AAC), and assistive technology (AT) applications. The main goal of the school is to ensure that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities

Entertainers who have performed at the festival over the past 21 years include:

CSNY, Don Henley, Tom Petty, Robin Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Melissa Ethridge, the late Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, the late Nicolette Larson, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Los Lobos, EmmyLou Harris, John Mellencamp, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennet, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billy Idol,  Cheryl Crow, Greenday, and the list goes on.

Trains:

Neil has carried his passion for model trains and railroads since his boyhood. He limited him self to just collecting while he was busy doing all that other stuff
in the 60's and 70's. When Ben was born, his passion
was re-awakened.  He envisioned, the elaborate and
uniquely designed model railroad, at the same time he
also envisioned his hope of one day being able to interact,
and share his passion for model trains with his Son. So in typical Neil Young fashion, He invented a way to do just that.

In 1995 Neil became a shareholder in the company
that manufactures toy trains, Lionel LLC.  And
developed a device called Trainmaster Command Control.  This is a wireless control, and through its use,
Ben is able to control various functions by leaning into
the control or away from the control.  Which allowed Ben
to do something he had never done before and that was,
to interact withhis environment, and also control
it. For Neil it is a precious gift, the interaction between Father and Son,that allowed them to form the bond he
had longed for.

*Neil also developed a specially modified wheel chair
and computer for Ben.

*His tour bus is equipped with a model train setup, for  when they are  on the road.

                                                                                          Written By: Judy Joyce  2007
 

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