More than a dozen local and national comedians are coming together Sunday to help one of their own: Tacoma comedy veteran Debbie Wooten-Williams.
Wooten-Williams, who has lived with the complications of polio since the age of 5 months, has recently had set some health setbacks. Her fellow comics have organized “Comedy for a Cause” at Jazzbones on Sunday night to help her with medical and living expenses.
Complications from her polio have been slowing disabling her. “Ten years ago I was walking fine,” she said. Then on Aug. 26 she fell after getting a new brace and fractured her hip. While in the hospital, Wooten-Williams contracted pneumonia. She said it was like taking a car to the garage and discovering there’s a lot more wrong with it than a broken carburetor. “Wait a minute! I just came here for a hip,” she said.
During her hospital stay, her husband, Ray Williams, was undergoing surgery for lung cancer. “It was very scary and depressing,” Wooten-Williams said of her and her husband’s time in the hospital.
Now, after six weeks of hospital stay and rehab, she’s back at home with a rented hospital bed and wheelchair.
Wooten-Williams, who moved to Tacoma from Chicago, is a regular on the Northwest comedy circuit. She got her start in stand-up comedy after joining a Toastmasters group and winning a speech contest about her role as Super Mom.
Hosted by Ralph Porter, Sunday’s lineup includes comics Jerry Percio, Travis Simmons, Susan Jones, Cari Tillery, Shawn Lawrence, Rodney Sherwood, Mike Wally Walter, Tony Daniel, Rico the Comedian and Mr. Mookie.
“I can’t believe all these people. I want to give them a big ol’ hug,” Wooten- Williams said. However, she’s unsure if she’ll be well enough to appear at the event.
One of the event organizers, Susan Jones, calls Wooten-Williams a survivor-survivor. “It’s inspiring for everyone to watch her through the years. Everywhere she goes, she has to figure out if she can even make it onto the stage.”
Comics, she adds, are quick to come to each other’s aid. “We treat each other like family. Most of us don’t have health care,” Jones said.
Wooten-Williams herself frequently performs at fundraisers, including events for the victims of the Tacoma Mall shooting, Hurricane Katrina and the Haitian earthquake.
“When you do good, it can come around,” Wooten-Williams said.
Despite mounting bills and a loss of mobility, Wooten-Williams is not ready to give up. “I don’t want to go behind the barn yet, but man ...”
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541, craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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