Posted on by

Paul Willis – update from Greg H

Hiya folks,

below is an update on Paul. He seems to be doing well, and should by now be home recuperating. Cards may be sent to

Paul Willis
5500 Prytania Street #215
New Orleans, LA 70115
(mailing address)

=====
Hey everyone:

Well, Paul came home today. He's obvioously really happy to be home–but not as happy as I am. The prognosis on the eye is good; it looks like he won't lose it. He has to go in to be checked out tomorrow, and then not again till Wednesday. The jury is still out as to whether he will ever regain any sight in the eye, though–but to be honest, I don't care one way or the other. I am just glad he is home where I can take care of him.

A reporter for the Times-Picayune called me this morning; she'd emailed me yesterday. The story has been circulating around the paper for several days, and they'd been trying to get confirmation. As we have an unlisted phone number, she was unable to track us down that way. I am not sure how she finally got our number, but she did….and they are going to be doing a bhig piece on the story for the paper. Apparently, Paul and I are “prominent citizens” and 'well known, well-respected members of the community.” (Her words, not mine…..)

I want to thank everyone for their good wishes, their prayers/positive energy, and the incredible amount of love and support that's been coming our way lately. This has been overwhelming on many levels for many different reasons, but perhaps the one true positive thing to come out of this was to realize how many loving, caring friends we have. We are truly blessed–not only to have each other, but to have all of you. Bless you all for your generosity of spirit. We still aren't out of the woods yet, but you have no idea how good it does my heart to have him asleep on his couch with the French Open on the television again….we can both breathe a sigh of relief to have the hospital ordeal over and done with.

As I said earlier, this has been an eye opening experience on many levels. There's nothing like six days at Charity Hospital to awaken you to the reality of what the poor have to deal with in their every day lives.

Again, thank you for everything….Paul and I send you all of our love and our deepest gratitude.

Greg Herren

=====

greg (gregh121@aol.com) thought you would be interested in this item from NOLA.com.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1086419011181490.xml

Published by Ron Suresha

Ron Jackson Suresha is an editor, anthologist, and writer. He is considered an authority on emergent queer masculinities, in particular the subcultures of gay and bi male Bears and of male bisexuality. For Ron's service to the bear community, he was named "Bear of the Year" 2008. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Suresha attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, 1976-8), where he studied creative writing, and Vista College (Berkeley, Cal., 1989-92), where he studied American Sign Language. For more than two decades, he has worked as a freelance proofreader for trade book publishers such as Shambhala Publications. He was married in October 2004 to Rocco Russo. He is also a licensed Justice of the Peace in Connecticut, an ordained minister, ULC, and a member of the New London Green Party. Nonfiction works include Bears on Bears: Interviews & Discussions; Bi Men: Coming Out (coeditor, with Pete Chvany); Bisexual Perspectives on the Life and Work of Alfred C. Kinsey (editor). His latest book is The Uncommon Sense of the Immortal Mullah Nasruddin: Stories, jests, and donkey tales of the beloved Persian folk hero, published by Lethe Press.