It’s not always doom and gloom, and we’re happy when we can take a break from depressing you from the harrowing statistics of rising overdose rates and equally concerning addiction rates around the country. In our very own Floridian city of Sarasota, a special man has beat the odds of drug addiction, homelessness, and hopelessness by awing passersbys with his incredible musical gifts. His name is Donald Gould, and he’s kind of famous now- if you haven’t heard. Catch up with the times if you haven’t seen the sensation that is the product of a restoration project, “Sarasota Keys.”
In essence, Sarasota Keys is helping us disconnect from our smartphones, and luring us back to our passion for music and social engagement. The city funded program is the reason there are scattered pianos around Sarasota- but that’s not the best bit. Because of the incredible viral response of Donald Gould’s video (if you want the numbers, according to the Washington Post, his video has been enjoyed 7.5 million times on YouTube and over five million on Facebook) many state institutions and nameless philanthropists have raised $35,000 in funds for Gould.
The Washington Times reports he has been gifted with transitory housing, and awarded a full scholarship from Spring Arbor University, so that he may continue to pursue his musical career. After surviving his wife, Gould’s life quickly spiraled into the dirge of addiction- which forced social services to take his three year old son, Donny, away from him. Ever since in his plight of addiction and living on the streets, he has never stopped looking for his son, who is now 18.
Because of the popularity of his video, Gould has been reunited with Donnie over the phone, and plans to see him after successfully completing drug rehabilitation in Florida. The Washington Post quotes Gould on his incredible journey,
“I was thinking I could just put my hat on the piano and make a couple of dollars and get tips, I didn’t expect it to jump out to this.”
Before Gould suffered the loss of his wife he was a United States Marine, with an uncanny ability to play the clarinet since childhood. The Washington Post quotes him, “My music took me around the world before I was 21,” and it seems his music may have gifted him the second chance so many of us never dream of having.
Recounting the misery of being separated from his son and suffering from an untreated substance use disorder, The Washington Post recounts Gloud lamenting, “Every day it’s painful. There’s not a day that goes by that they took him that I ain’t thought about him.”
But that’s all changed now. Unlike his countenance in his viral video, Gould, who went by “Boone” around Sarasota’s streets, has assumed what he may have looked like if not stricken with addiction and homelessness so many years ago. With a fresh haircut and facial grooming, Gould is ready to step into the next beautiful chapters of his life.
The Washington Post recounts the emotional reconciliation between Gould and his son on their first phone call,
“Donny, is that you?”
“That’s me,” Donny’s voice crackled.
“I’ve waited for this moment for a lot of years. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there for you, son.”
“I just hoped you’f get your act cleaned up so we could see each other still,”
“I hope to make that happen one of these days soon,”
After the phone call Donny revealed, “I did get a couple of tears in my eyes just knowing he was out there and just knowing he knew he had a son out there and that he was looking for me.”
We wish Gould the best of luck in his new life. If we can learn anything of his tribulations from addiction and homelessness, it is the irrevocable truth there are laden beauties in us all. The next time you see a homeless man or woman, do not judge them for what they appear to be, but be the seeker who illuminates what has been dirtied by the stigmatized society we live in. Be the light of change for yourself and those around you.
Do you have any incredible stories of your own that you’d like to share? Pictures and videos welcome!
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The post Donald Gould: From Addicted and Homeless to Internet Stardom, Drug Rehab, & a Second Chance appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.
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