Not expected to make it to his first birthday, a Millarville man is all smiles as he extends a community-wide invitation to his birthday party in an effort to give back 25 years later.
A quarter of a century after being born three months premature, Mark Thomson will celebrate with friends, family, strangers and those who supported him along the way at a fundraising concert featuring his musical idol Ben Crane at the Okotoks Alliance Church March 6 at 7 p.m.
Donations will be split between the Foothils Advocacy In Motion (FAIM) Society, of which Mark is a client, and the Foothills Medical Centre neo-natal intensive care unit, where Mark spent his first four months.
“It’s my 25th birthday, a quarter of a century,” said Mark. “By the grace of God I’m living now and I’ve lived for almost 25 years.”
After being born premature, Mark contracted infections including a severe staph infection and spent four months in hospital.
“He was on a respirator for life support for a long time,” said mom Rosemary. “He suffered setbacks in development as a result of that. He didn’t hit the typical landmarks of walking, talking, crawling, and I was told he might not.”
Growing up, Mark struggled with learning delays and social interactions. The milestone that took the longest for him to reach was independent eating because of the respirator tubes, said Rosemary.
“Even after he came home we had to put nasal tubes through his nose and mouth so he developed a soft palate,” she said. “Certain developmental things, if you miss them your brain has to learn them in a different way.”
After completing school, Mark yearned for his independence and it was after joining FAIM in 2016 that he blossomed.
He was soon working and volunteering, and moved out of his mom’s home to live with roommates Real and Jacqui Durand in Millarville.
“I’m incredibly proud of him, not just because of all of the milestones and accomplishments he’s made but because of his heart,” said Rosemary. “He cares about other people and he’s just a fine young man.”
Mark credits FAIM to a lot of his recent achievements.
“I’ve come a long way since I’ve started at FAIM and had the experiences I have,” he said. “I’ve noticed change in myself. I can actually believe in myself.”
Mark said it’s important to give back to FAIM to show appreciation for how the organization helped him.
“I’m wanting to give back to the community and give back to the organizations that have meant so much to me in my life,” he said.
What better way than having Mark’s favourite entertainer in a fundraising concert.
“Ben Crane is such a big deal,” he said. “I grew up to his music singing the songs that he sings like Bees in the Outhouse. It’s really funny and he’s a comedy genius. He’s a fellow Christian and it’s Christian gospel, but it’s also country and western, which I love.”
Mark hopes to raise $5,000 to split between the two charities, and is asking people to give what they’re able.
“I just figured in this economy, being as concerts are expensive, I didn’t want to risk people having to pay lots of money to come, especially because Ben Crane is such a big artist,” he said.
Crane, a central Alberta singer/songwriter and award-winning western cartoonist, said when Rosemary contacted him about performing at Mark’s birthday fundraiser he was immediately on board.
“When she said that this was going to be more than just celebrating his birthday, that they wanted to also give back to FAIM, I thought this is way too good of a deal because it raises awareness for that organization that has obviously been a huge impact on their family,” he said. “I thought this is what life is all about is celebrating with people and doing things for people.”
Crane said there’s plenty to celebrate on March 6.
“I think this is fantastic for the community to get together and not only celebrate Mark’s accomplishments, but also celebrate the people who have come alongside and given Rosemary and Mark the tools they need,” he said. “That can’t be easy as a parent. Adversity and suffering pulls people together and it also builds character. That’s something to celebrate too.”
Crane will play his acoustic guitar and sing a combination of serious and humorous songs that have flavours of swing, bluegrass, country, blues and gospel.
“It will be a lot of fun, a lot of clean rural humour,” Crane said. “There’s a lot of variety, lot of country, there will be a reggae tune called Geezer in a Speedo, some gospel and old style cowboy. We’re going to have an absolutely riot.”
Cake and coffee will be served at intermission. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP to [email protected]
