Where Are They Now: Gene Gene The Dancing Machine

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://bookmark.weht.net/WEHT/Gene_Gene_the_Dancing_Machine.html



Real Name: Gene Patton
A.k.a: Gene Gene the Dancing Machine
Claim To Fame: A Gong Show regular in the 1970's.

Where are they now?

He lives in Altadena, CA, had a cameo in the movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and most ironically, lost both legs to to diabetes complications in 2001. Apparently was and still is a great example and positive influence to those around him.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.tv.game-shows/msg/be60cecaa4b4c605?output=gplain

It seems anyone who has known Patton will tell you that he never complained about anything, and maybe that's what really makes him so remarkable. Two years ago, Patton lost both his legs to diabetes in a long and painful process that could have broken anyone's spirit, a struggle that recently ended in triumph when The Dancing Machine learned to walk again.

At one point in the process, plagued with excruciating pain for weeks while recovering from surgery, with scars that it seemed would never heal, it was Patton's famous good attitude that probably saved his life.

"I didn't know that there were 10 or 15 people there dying of cancer. You think, man, I'm not doing bad at all. All that's wrong with me is I'm getting a little shorter," said Patton, who finally took his first new steps earlier this year with the help of life-like feet fitted to his shiny steel prosthetic legs.

For him to get up and walk is amazing, said 24-year-old Merissa Haddad, a physical therapist at USC's Pasadena Rehabilitation Center who has been helping Patton walk for a month and a half. In fact, while learning to walk again, the always upbeat Patton took time out to lend his support to others going through their own traumas.

:toast:

[MarianJack]

1. He Reminds me of my Father-in-Law!

My Father-in-Law, a truly great and wonderful man, lost both of his leg to that terrible disease in late 1997 & early 1998.

He NEVER ONCE complained or felt sorry for himself. When you walked into his apartment, he wanted to know about YOU. If you asked about his condition, he would say he was O.K. and turn the conversation back to you.

The only time I saw him upset about it was on my wife's and my wedding day. He cried because he had to meet her up the aisle of the Church close to the altar, rather than walk her up to me.

When he passed in June of 2000, My wife and I were in the car directly behind the hearse. We were driving her Mom. I was soooo touched that his funeral procession was so long you would have thought we were burying the Governor, not a retired Puerto Rican Truck driver who had little money or fame, but ENORMOUS respect in his community!

[zbdent]

2. That guy's still alive?

How old is he? I can't remember exactly what he looks like, but I thought he was OLD at the time of the Gong show!