All About Sarah – Welcome Back…

Lately it seems we have unwittingly opened up a stream of goodwill of enormous magnitude, and what started as a simple gesture is fast becoming a torrent of emotion. It is absolute proof as to the cause and effect of paying it forward, and now again we have another story to tell, one of incredible struggle, bravery and courage, not only for the main character but also another that has been dealt some blows and is still brave enough to stand up and do something to help.

I have no doubt that many people know of the tribulations Kim Saunders has faced recently and we have all stood by her and supported her, the lovely, kind person that she is. Kim has asked for some help from us to help someone dear to her, someone that is very well known to the Music Industry, and a person that has faced agonising circumstances.

Kim is coming along tomorrow to our ‘Pay It Forward’ gig. She is going to bring someone who most people would know but may not recognise and that is her ex husband Sarah (Steve) Tonin (Saunders). Sarah has had an enormous struggle this past decade. The enormity of the transgender issue, huge financial problems, drug problems (thankfully now over), inability to go through with a total sex change due to no finances which causes serious depression. Loss of his family, loss of his parents support, and of course the struggle they have had and the impact on their son.

In Kim’s own words…

“There is another family he misses – the Music Industry family. Over the years she has had many people turn their back, including her closest friend. That has resulted in her living a reclusive life, afraid of rejection, rejecting before being rejected, depressed, no confidence, isolated from her previous life and of course no longer operating lights which I can tell you she lived and breathed.”

“Anyway I wanted to ask you guys a favour, , but I wondered if there was someway tomorrow night that the industry could reach out to Sarah with friendship and acceptance… shake hands, say hello, give a hug, treat her like a human being not a freak, have a conversation even… hell, if she is up for it and no one minds, maybe even the lighting desk for a song… she may refuse I don’t know…”

“She is confronting to look at 6’2″, and then there are the heels. It can be hard to look at a person you have known as a man for years, dressed and speaking as a woman, but deep down the same person is there.”

“It really saddens me to see how hard not being a part of what she loves has been for her, it was a gutsy life choice she made to not live a lie and it cost her everything. Music has saved her life, that I do know for sure. She has an old beaten up guitar named ‘Watson’ that I loaned her years ago. She told me only today that without that old girl she would have ended her life… I guess ‘Watson’ really isn’t mine anymore.”

“Anyway, if there is some way that some love and support can be extended to an old Industry person who really needs, it would mean more that you could imagine, and I would be personally grateful” Kim…

Postscript…

All of us involved in the band, crew and the birthday gig are happy to extend the hand of friendship to Sarah, to welcome her back to the fold, and she is also totally welcome to run the lighting desk for a song or two. We ask that you all extend the same hand of friendship, to show your kindness also, and make her feel most welcome.

Event Info:

Andrew Thompson’s 50th Birthday Party ‘Pay It Forward’
Charles Hotel Perth
Sunday May 18 2014 7.30-10PM.

Written by jaimepageguitars