A former manager of T.T. The Bear’s Place has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise medical funds for owner Bonney Bouley.
Kevin Patey, who ran the longtime Cambridge rock club until its closure in July 2015, launched the page last night, citing a need for Bouley to purchase a medical equipment not covered by her insurance.
“[Bouley] is faced with a medical dilemna that has restricted her ability to leave the house and be mobile,” Patey writes. “She suffers from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and is currently on oxygen. The equipment provided to her is heavy and prevents her from leaving the house without assistance. There is a lightweight machine on the market but Medicare won’t cover it and the cost is $2,600.”
T.T. The Bear’s Place closed after receiving a rent increase from its new property owners, Joseph and Nabil Sater, who also own the next-door Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub complex. There has been an alleged dispute over the value and transfer of venue’s liquor license, which Patey describes in the GoFundMe as “still currently in limbo”. The Saters have proposed a new nightclub in the T.T. The Bear’s space at 10 Brookline Ave. in Central Square, possibly to be named Sonia’s, though no potential opening date has been made public despite ongoing construction.
“I’m thinking that friends of Bonneys, T.T. The Bear’s, and the Boston music community could all help an old friend out to give her some freedom and mobility at this point in her life,” Patey adds.
Bouley has also relayed a message about her condition on the GoFundMe page. It reads:
“I have been on oxygen since Sept. I have a floor model that works well. I can walk to the bedroom, office and bathroom. The one that they gave me to use outside (traveling) I use downstairs. I have it in living room and I can unplug it to take it to the kitchen or the other 2 rooms. It weighs 10 lb. and is too heavy to carry around. By the time I get down the front stairs and get in the car I am tired (another symptom of COPD). Medicare pays for this, but will not pay for the newer 2.8lb one. The only way to get one is to buy it. The cost is $2600.00. It would enable me to get some my life back.”
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