Mystery Jets star puts health first

The Mystery Jets' lead singer, Blaine Harrison was admitted to hospital to treat the spine disorder spina bifida. He won't let it stand in the way of pop stardom, though, he says.

The 23-year-old has balanced his condition with his band since their debut album came out in 2006. But after the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan at the end of July, which followed months of recording, touring and promotion, the frontman's body gave up.

After coming off stage, he felt the "most horrendous fever" and went to casualty after touching down in the UK. "I came straight from the plane to A&E and I was really reluctant to check myself into hospital because I didn't want to have to cancel any of our commitments," he says.

"But the doctor said 'If you don't do this now, you could be looking at really screwing things up for yourself for the next year'. I didn't realise the full seriousness of the situation so I had to just follow the doctor's orders and check in."

For Harrison, the spina bifida has resulted in pressure sores on his feet, exacerbated by poor circulation to his legs, meaning the only recovery is to literally put his feet up.

When the band are on the road, they travel in a sleeper bus to allow Harrison to rest his feet. But otherwise the singer is desperate not to let his condition get in the way of his music.

Harrison summed things up well: "Sometimes you can't help these things and the most important thing is your health - as people keep on telling me."

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Published: 12/09/2008 at 10:47
Author: Amanda Briggs
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