Dan Caro

Dan Caro was born in Metairie, La. on November Sixteenth, Nineteen-hundred and Seventy-nine. At the age of two, an unthinkable event would change his life forever. While in the family garage, the pilot light of a hot water ignited gasoline fumes and Dan sustained third degree burns to over seventy percent of his body. After being rescued by local firefighters, he was rushed to New Orleans Charity Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. While in ICU, a Shriner from the Jerusalem Temple in New Orleans, La. contacted Dan’s parents and told them about the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Immediately, Dan was transported by medivac to the Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston, Ma. where he would undergo many reconstructive surgeries and other treatments throughout his childhood. Ultimately, as a result of the burn injuries, Dan lost his right hand, most of his left hand and is severely scarred. In the mid 1980s, reconstructive surgery that would give Dan the use of a moveable thumb was performed on his left hand. Since then, Dan has been living life to the fullest in the face of his adversity. His relentless attitude and resiliency would consistently prove that nothing is impossible; including his lifelong dream of becoming a musician. Dan, at the age of twelve, began drumming in spite of his loss of fingers. He plays by using the left thumb to grip one drum stick, with the other drum stick attached to his right wrist by a wrist band and rubber bands. With this simple device and an undying passion for music, Dan has become one of the most respected drummers in the New Orleans area. His unique personal style and musicianship has landed him countless gigs with some of the world’s greatest performers such as Ashish Khan, Michael Ray, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Karl Denson, and Marshall Allen. Sharing his inspirational story of fullfillmant and achievement with others is a way of life for Dan. He is a prime example of bravery and courage. In July 2007, Dan became a Shriner, as a way of both saying thanks to the organization that helped him, and inspiring current and future patients and their families at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Dan Caro is a testament to the human spirit(Stanton Moore).” Once you meet him, you’ll see why.