[JoshK]

My prayers are for Gary.  I hope his health stabilizes and he gets back on his feet in the best way possible.   Those who are looking for recuperation, well, I can only say that maybe you need to reexamine your own situation.

I don't wish to get political, this isn't meant as a political debate on health care, but merely as a rhetorical anecdote to think about.  I am an American living in Canada for the past 3.5yrs.   I was recruited (headhunted) to come up here to work for Canada's pension plan.   A hair over two years ago I had an accident where I slipped on wet stairs and fell headfirst and cracked my skull under my right ear near 9 major nerves that control your senses and facial expressions.   I was in the hospital for 12 days, 4 of which were in the ICU.   The ICU care was top notch, the general patient care the remaining 8 days felt like a third world country.  I won't go into the details of that as it isn't necessary. 

Upon being released from the hospital I was put on an insanely high dose of steroids for about 4-6mos (they wanted to ensure no brain swelling) but was never warned of any side effects.  I had an awful time on the 'roids but otherwise was nearly 100% in less than a week.  A few months after coming off the 'roids I was back to being in good shape and mountain biking, lost the 25lbs I gained on the roids, but something happened why I was on a 2hr ride.  I suddenly couldn't pedal up a hill anymore, my hip was hurting tremendously.   Took 6 months to get an MRI appointment and by that time I have severe avascular necrosis of my left hip and mild AVN of the right.

It took another 6 months to get an initial appointment with an Orthopedic surgeon after having my doctor call about six surgeons.  They said that I needed total hip replacement that my AVN was very bad and my hip had collapsed.   Meanwhile all this time I walk with a severe limp and have constant pain that keeps me up at night.   They scheduled the surgery for another 6 months out, the earliest time slot.   That time has came and went because I got a call saying that the Ontario Health Ministry has met their quota on how many surgeries they will pay for in a year, so I got pushed back to May of this year.   So its been about 2.5 years now since I've been semi-mobile and I'm still waiting on surgery. 

A surprisingly high percentage of Canadians living in lower Ontario go to Buffalo for health care, so much so that a high percentage of Buffalo's health system is there to serve Canadians.   Canada has supposedly 1/3 the survival rate for cancer patients than does the US, largely because of what Canada won't pay for.   There is no two-tiered health care system, so that people can pay for better care, so they go to the US and pay. 

I say all of this so that you can see that with every solution is a cost, you must weigh the cost/benefit yourself. 

[RDavidson]

Thanks again, Danny....

But, I can't sit idle here. I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with the attitudes and lack of compassion by some of those here which compelled Danny to go into further detail. What's wrong with you people? You know-it-all types always have an answer without being in the situation yourselves or even fully understanding the problem. But the thing is, one doesn't need to know the full details of the situation to understand it's bad enough.....just like one doesn't need to go to war to understand it's F'd up. Can you not leave it at that? Nooooooo! You had to go and make assumptions, and horribly off-color/off-colour ones at that.

For those offended by what I have to say, go ahead and flame me all day long. At least I have the decency to call you out on your BS while you have the physical and mental resources to try and defend yourselves. Before you start the flamethrower, here's a suggestion : Sit and and reflect on your life and the privileges that have come your way, then come back and attempt to conjugate an excuse for yourself.

Done!

[brother love]

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes ...

I feel so terrible for Gary. Mr. Dodd is a very talented man in this business we audiophiles love who has experienced some awful struggles.

Danny has not only been a good friend & supporter to Gary, but has also kept the Audiocircle forum informed of Gary's plight. Thank you.

Having said all that, I also sympathize with anyone who has plucked down their hard-earned money for something they never received. It is not fair, in fact it is flat out wrong.

This thread is sad for everyone involved, most especially Gary Dodd.  My thoughts are with him.

[sts9fan]

As a follow up.... Gary was born with heart problems. I think this last one was his eighth heart surgery.

And Gary went into the hospital this last big go around after having another heart attack. He had no money to speak of even then. However our health care system was such that the company making the artificial heart value donated the new value. The pacemaker and defibrillator was also donated by the manufacturer. He had a full aorta replacement that was grown in a laboratory from stem cells and his on tissue. Yes, they grew his replacement parts. They performed 20 hours worth of surgery and kept him in the hospital over two months. They called him their miracle patient.

And last I heard his medical bills were over two million. And all knowing he could never pay it. So I wouldn't knock our medical system too hard.

I'll knock it hard.  He should have none.  Of course if the blind people :::cough::: I'm looking at you Texas had their way if relatives would be paying for generations in blood.

[S Clark]

I'll knock it hard.  He should have none.  Of course if the blind people :::cough::: I'm looking at you Texas had their way if relatives would be paying for generations in blood.

the simple truth is there are no easy answers for the US health care issue.  In the meantime, Gary has problems that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
And please don't judge such a broad group as "Texans"

[macrojack]

I'll knock it hard.  He should have none.  Of course if the blind people :::cough::: I'm looking at you Texas had their way if relatives would be paying for generations in blood.

+1

In a just and caring social construct money would have no influence at all on his circumstances. Our for profit medical model is barbaric and despicable. I would love to say more but speech on this and other such topics is regulated.

[bardamu]

Hello,
Maybe it is regulated. But the USA is the home of the free and the brave?
If things like education and health care are controlled by companies the quality will go downhill. Look at the quality level from the average electronic device they are made in such a way that they will break down within a reasonable time. If money is the only goal customers in the end will suffer.
Look at the general level of knowledge of the average college student. They dont read books and newspapers, their brain is in their smartphone.
Audio is a hobby. Some companies did start as a one person '' company '' or a duo like Conrad Johnson. But most of them will get corrupted after getting bigger.
Sincere greetings, edward

[Emil]

+1

In a just and caring social construct money would have no influence at all on his circumstances. Our for profit medical model is barbaric and despicable. I would love to say more but speech on this and other such topics is regulated.

Please read Josh K's post again. There's no free lunch thou I wish there was when it comes to healthcare.
Curious how Gary would have fared in Canada.

[BobRex]

+1

In a just and caring social construct money would have no influence at all on his circumstances. Our for profit medical model is barbaric and despicable. I would love to say more but speech on this and other such topics is regulated.

Not all hospitals are for profit.  The hospital I work for is non-profit and does roughly 500 million annually in charity work.  Our next largest "competitor" does roughly 300 mil.  These numbers are reported and audited annually.  I will say that the closest for profit facilty is much smaller and has played games by sending their "poor" patients to us once their financial situation is understood.  It's cute, they admit the patient, then send them to our facility.  This gives them credit for the admit without having to eat into profits.

[WireNut]

Almost all of the posts here don't account for the mental survival mode. Everyone assumes he can think clearly and with enough energy to make reasonable decisions. I'm sure that is not the case. Gary is severely phucked up and unless you've been there or very close to it you won't understand.

I agree. My step dad has Alzheimer's. He can't remember what he did 5 minutes ago. I pray for Gary, he's been thru so much.
Most of us can't comprehend what Gary's been thru. Unless you've gone thru a devastating time in your life it's hard to comprehend.
 
 

[usp1]

I think we should end this thread here. It is sad that his trials and tribulations have to be so publicly discussed.

Let us hope and pray for Gary's well being and end further discussion.

[bardamu]

Hello,
Some people who did loose money might like to know why they are still waiting.
Some details were also mentioned when they did try to collect money for him.
Pray? If that would help life would be easy.
Religion may be an excelllent means of taming and training the perverse, obtuse and wicked biped race; but in the eyes of the friend of truth every fraud, however pious, is still a fraud. ( Arthur Schopenhauer)
If there will be a resurrection the forum will also be used to find new customers but untill now there should be a kind of warning.
Sincere greetings, Edward

[mjosef]

If there will be a resurrection the forum will also be used to find new customers

Yeah maybe...but first there must be destruction(the end of all) including this forum and all in/on it. 

Sad to hear about Gary, never dealt with him but read some of the thread in his circle.

[usp1]

Hello,
Some people who did loose money might like to know why they are still waiting.
Some details were also mentioned when they did try to collect money for him.
Pray? If that would help life would be easy.
Religion may be an excelllent means of taming and training the perverse, obtuse and wicked biped race; but in the eyes of the friend of truth every fraud, however pious, is still a fraud. ( Arthur Schopenhauer)
If there will be a resurrection the forum will also be used to find new customers but untill now there should be a kind of warning.
Sincere greetings, Edward

Yes and you warned everyone. So can we now end this?

[bladesmith]

I wanted to send some money to Gary.
Is there a paypal address for that still ?

[bardamu]

Hello,
If someone is curious he/she can read the new post. If no interest just dont open it.Maybe some new information or ideas pop up. It is a bit more down to earth compared to the stories about the latest audiophile quality fuse which will not pass an UL test. Sincere greetings, Edward

[Doublej]

Hello,
Some people who did loose money might like to know why they are still waiting.
Some details were also mentioned when they did try to collect money for him.
Pray? If that would help life would be easy.
Religion may be an excelllent means of taming and training the perverse, obtuse and wicked biped race; but in the eyes of the friend of truth every fraud, however pious, is still a fraud. ( Arthur Schopenhauer)
If there will be a resurrection the forum will also be used to find new customers but untill now there should be a kind of warning.
Sincere greetings, Edward

Are you accusing Gary of fraud?

[*Scotty*]

Except for the important information in Danny's update on Gary Dodd's condition and the potential for a future revival of Gary's business the rest of the thread really doesn't contain any relevent information and should be removed.
Scotty
.

[sfox7076]

90% of the threads do not contain relevant information.  Move it to the personal circle if you want...

[maplegrovemusic]

Anyone who is defending gary's spending of customers money on personal issues . Please make it clear in mine and others minds why this is justified ? I have personally had financial difficulties in my past . I sold a $3k amp to someone on Ebay . They paid with a cashiers check ,sent unregistered . I could have easily just cashed the check sold the amp elsewhere. But even as desolate as i was i knew it was not the right thing to do . You have a choice when confronted with these situations.