Getting Up: A Story of Hope, Cutting Edge Technology and Survival Against Insurmountable Circumstances

Getting Up: The Tempt One Story documents the against all odds story and indomitable spirit of internationally known ALS paralyzed street artist Tony "Tempt One" Quan.

Getting Up, directed by Caskey Ebeling, is the story of Tony Quan, LA's version of Keith Harring, who after being diagnosed with the degenerative disease ALS, found a way, through the help of his family, friends, and cutting edge technology, to rise, in mind, above the prison that had become his body.

Getting Up begins with a computerized voice over recalling a dream where Tempt and a friend were painting in the LA River and a stray man chased them away. Memories comfort the old and delight the young  and can even carry one through deep loneliness, but memories of running, of painting or owning the street can only bring sorrow to one imprisoned in a lifeless body with only thoughts.

Tony Quan, born in East Los Angeles, of Mexican-Chinese decent, took the name Tempt One in the early 1980's. His story resonates with the despair associated with the debilitating diseases, the despair of the system, the hope, courage and loyalty of family and friends who refused to give up on him. Knowing he would never "be healed" or even walk again, when it would be understandable to be overwhelmed they're dedicated to his care and creating a fuller existence. 

For eight years, after the disease claimed his body and his voice, he would communicate through eye affirmations, blink once; blink twice, and a rudimentary alphabet chart. Tediously, his father and dedicated friends would visit and through this communication system would have conversation. Angst, a true friend, personified devotion, and stayed on after the diagnosis, through the years Tempt couldn't respond, Angst talked, seemingly about nothing, and still he stayed.

Long term medical care is expensive and Tempt's family did everything they could so they had a benefit. Enter Caskey Ebeling and her husband, Mick. Attending a gallery show and finding out about Tempt's situation they felt drawn to this project and thought, naively though they could with ease, navigate the bureaucracy, and at minimum get an Eye Activated computer that voiced words. Eight months later, Mick finally secured the computer.

By that time they both felt so invested in the project that he began researching an idea to create an Eye Writer, which is a computer that through only eye coordination draws and writes. The Eye Writer was mounted, initially in eye glasses, and developed by a group of Open Source computer developers.  It was built in The Ebeling's home in Venice Beach, California. Once they discovered it had real potential to succeed they brought in Dell Computers.

Eventually they went back to the Open Source team and they built a lightweight EYE Writer that though eye movement only, would project the images on the computer screen mounted above the hospital bed where the immobilized, once vibrant, street artist was finally able to draw again.

Angst, Tempt's devoted and dedicated friend, has maintained his weekly visits. He is an honorable man.  

Tempt, now an internationally celebrated artist, having had several gallery shows throughout the world, symbolizes a spirit of triumph against insurmountable odds. There are no medical miracles and still to hear Tempt tell the story of whom he has become no one could have imagine.

Getting Up: The Tempt One Story tells an amazing human story and triumphant ending! Tony Quan embodies courage and his family and friends, devotion! Getting Up: The Tempt One Story should not be missed.

For more information on Getting Up: The Tempt One Storyhttps://temptone.wordpress.com/bio/

Haute Tease

  • Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments Book Review – Entertaining, Informative, A Must Have

    Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life, from Quarto Publishing Group, presents memories of country music queen, entertainer, and star of stage and screen, Dolly Parton from her humble beginnings to global humanitarian.

     
  • Florida Bank Shooting Brings Year Total to 19

    The execution style murder of five women inside Sebring SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Florida, brings the total of Mass Shootings for 2019 to nineteen as authorities still work to determine a motive in the senseless killings.

     
  • Donald Trump Lists Beverly Hills Mansion

    Even the most politically disinterested person has not escaped being gobsmacked by what might be the strangest presidential campaign in American history. Candidates are scrutinized and bicker on everything from their marital history and health to even their choice of homes.

     
  • The Academy Announces Naming Of The David Geffen Theater

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that it has received a $25 million commitment from The David Geffen Foundation for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The gift was made as part of the Academy Museum's $300 million capital campaign and is the  largest commitment received to date. In recognition of this gift, the Academy will name the Museum's premiere-sized theater The David Geffen Theater.

     
  • Mackenzie Lueck, Murdered Utah University Student, Slut Shamed

    Days after the charred remains of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck were found in Logan Canyon, 85 miles from the alleged murder scene, internet trollers have slut shamed the El Segundo native over her social media postings.

     
  • The Cuban Review – Delightful, A Testament to the Power of Music

    The Cuban, from Brainstorm Media, brings to the screen a story on the power of music as it unlocks the memories of a failing mind, and for one moment allows the two to once again be joined.