PATIENTS IN THE NEWS
Larry Mullen, U2 Lead Drummer, Moves Beyond the Music to Bring an International Perspective to the Foundation
By Jim Brown, Executive Editor, The Foundation News
Although Larry Mullen describes himself as just a “street drummer,”
he is, by the highest of standards, considerably more. As founder,
partner, and lead drummer for one of the world’s most famous rock
bands, U2, he has moved beyond entertainment to make a difference
in the lives of people around the world.
This should not be a surprise to those who have followed the
careers of Larry and his fellow U2 band members. This legendary
group has a well-deserved record of using its high-profile platform
to promote philanthropy, service, and social responsibility to a
worldwide audience. Now he has added his voice to the mission of
the Foundation as a member of its Board of Directors, the governing
group he joined in 2007.
Three Reasons
Why? “Three reasons,” explains Mullen. “Firstly, I have
benefitted so much from the incredible, cutting-edge resources,
expertise, and practices available here in Vail and I thought it
important to share the news. Secondly, I feel strongly that this
level of care should be available to everybody — celebrity and
non-celebrity, sportsman and non-sportsman — all over the world.
Lastly, the Foundation’s willingness to invest money and resources
back into the community was probably the single biggest part
of my signing on with the Board.”
Like other board members, athletes, and exercisers, Larry
first became aware of the Clinic through injury. “I was having
trouble playing due to a knee problem. I saw Dr. Muller-Wohlfahrt
in Germany. He recommended surgery, and suggested that I have it
done by surgeon Richard Steadman in Vail at the Clinic. I had been
told that Dr. Steadman was a pioneer in his field and I was desperate
and intrigued.”
The rest is history, but it is history still in the making. “I have
already seen Dr. Steadman, Dr. Philippon, and Dr. Millett, among
other physicians, as well as receptionists, lab technicians, imaging
specialists, scientists, administrators — practically everyone in the
building, and the way things are going with my body, I’ll probably
meet the rest of them by the end of the year.”
Occupational Hazards
“I’m a street drummer and I’ve physically abused—neglected
may be a better word— my body for a long time, through bad
posture, questionable technique, throwing myself around a stage,
not eating or hydrating as I should have, and sitting too much.
Almost all the things I do as part of my job are bad for my body.
It’s not just the physical act of hitting things. Rock and roll is about
freedom and escapism, it’s like running away to the circus. That’s
okay for about 10 years, then bits start to fall off. I was not trained
as an athlete, but I have to perform like one.”
His travel schedule is frenetic, exciting, and adds to the problem.
The day before he made a stop in Vail to have a hamstring
injury checked (and to give us this interview), he performed before
70,000 people at the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium. He left
Vail and flew to Houston for another concert the next day. During
the two weeks that followed, his schedule included dates in
Phoenix, Los Angeles, Norman, Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Vancouver
and New York, before performing in Berlin to finish the tour.
Larry Mullen is not a member of a flier program; he IS a frequent
flier program.
Confidence Based on Evidence
“That’s why Vail has become so important to me,” he says. “It’s
a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anybody with sports related injuries. I consider
it an integral part of my maintenance and recovery. The doctors are
willing to listen and are anxious to develop new ways to treat you
and heal you quickly, based on their expertise and supported by the
Foundation’s research. This is very important for me. What sets the
Clinic and Foundation apart is the confidence the doctors, scientists,
and staff members have in their own ability.”
Mullen now sees an opportunity to get this message out to the
rest of the world. “Larry’s international viewpoint and expertise at
branding and message delivery is invaluable to our Foundation,”
says Mike Egan. “Larry agrees with our mission of taking our expertise
and ability to educate around the world so that we can have a
positive impact on the next generation.”
Mullen’s Message:
“We have an incredible resource here,” concludes Mullen.
“I want to re-emphasize that this facility, its resources, the data it
has amassed, and its educational programs are not exclusively for
the privileged. It is available to all — and we should figure out ways
to share this treasure with people in the rest of the world so that
their quality of life can be improved.”
