Inspiration For Injured Veterans & Military January 26, 2010

INJURED VETERANS AND MILITARY INVITED TO EVENING OF INSPIRATIONAL COMEDY

Brain injury survivor and inspirational comedian, Hugh Chatfield, will host “Inspiration for Injured Veterans & Military” in Gotham Comedy Club’s Vintage Lounge on January 26, 2010, supported by nationally-recognized and sought-after comedian, Bob Marley, and USMC Veteran and funnyman, George Hamm.

According to Chatfield, “I was inspired to host this event when I read that up to 360,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may have suffered brain injuries.” Chatfield’s first performance for injured veterans was an inspirational comedy set at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. on October 19 of last year. “After the set, an injured Specialist hugged me and told me that I had given him renewed vigor to continue to get better and heal. Realizing I’d had a positive effect on one veteran gave me the inspiration to continue performing for other veterans.”

Chatfield, 49, suffered his own traumatic brain injury in 1987 while speeding to a Hollywood audition. He attempted to run a red light and hit the rear corner of a truck bed, leaving him in a coma for 28 days. After five years in various hospitals and rehab centers, and despite all odds, Chatfield learned to walk, talk and tell jokes again. In fact, it was his speech pathologist at Boston’s Spaulding Rehab Hospital that encouraged him to try stand-up comedy and he hasn’t stopped since.

Inspiration for Injured Service Members & Veterans will be held January 26, 2010 from 7:30pm - 8:30pm at Gotham Comedy Club’s Vintage Lounge, 208 West 23rd St, New York, NY. Guests are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes in advance. Admission is free but limited to injured veterans and one guest.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
Injured veterans or injured veteran support organizations may reserve seats by contacting Laura Townell at [email protected].

ABOUT HUGH CHATFIELD (www.hughchatfield.com) – Inspirational comedian and survivor of a traumatic brain injury, Hugh Chatfield takes his message of hope, inspiration and humor to brain-injured veterans across the country. Hugh is also an acclaimed portrait photographer, specializing in special needs children and families.

ABOUT GEORGE HAMM (www.myspace.com/georgehamm) - George Hamm, “Hammy”, is one of Maine’s most well-known comedians and one of the country’s rising comedians. He brings laughter around the nation and beyond, from the Comedy Connection in Portland, Maine to the Improv in Los Angeles.

ABOUT BOB MARLEY (www.bmarley.com) - Celebrating 15 years as a stand-up comic, Bob Marley is one of the hottest and most sought-after comedians in the country. He has been featured in his own comedy special on Comedy Central and has also appeared in several films, including the cult favorite, “Boondock Saints.”