Church organist fights back after losing arm in car crash

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — Mark Thallander is counting his blessings. On a rainy night last August the car he was driving hydroplaned off a Maine turnpike and rolled over. The Southern California organist and music instructor sustained major injury from the crash and lost half his blood. He also lost his left arm, which had to be amputated at his shoulder.

“I felt the presence of Jesus there. I prayed, ‘Help me to know what to do,’” Thallander said as described the moments following the accident.

Many people prayed for his recovery when word of the accident spread. He received nearly 1,000 cards and letters in the month following his surgery.

On the same day as his accident, Thallander’s father fell and broke his hip. Six days later, from a hospital bed, he listened to his father’s funeral service over a cell phone.

“People all over the world have been praying for me and that is what has upheld me,” Thallander said.

The organist will be honored at a dinner March 12 at the Crystal Cathedral. He has been named recipient of the “Life is Not Fair but God Is Good” award to be presented at the 2004 International Conference on Care and Kindness sponsored by the Garden Grove church.

A graduate of Southern California College, now Vanguard University—where he also taught for four years—the North Dakota native was organist at the Crystal Cathedral from 1976 to 1993.

“Mark is at the top of the list as far as we’re concerned,” said Donna Grimm, a staff member helping to organize the event. “He has been such an inspiration and such an example to all of us on how to accept life’s challenges.”

The 53-year-old musician said Robert Schuller’s teachings have helped him to have a hopeful outlook following his accident. Thallander claims Philippians 4:13 as his life verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“I was on staff when Dr. Schuller’s daughter (Carol) was in the motorcycle accident and lost her leg,” Thallander said. “I had a wonderful example in Carol.”

Wide range of support
Thallander’s story has tugged at the hearts of strangers as well as friends.

In October, radio personality Rick Dees of Burbank’s KIIS 102.7 FM spearheaded a campaign that raised more than $50,000 for a prosthesis. An Anaheim firm is crafting a special lightweight arm that will allow him to have some function for playing keyboard.

“They’ve never done this before,” Thallander said. “This is a new creation. They’ll take a mold of my right hand. It’s quite an artistic thing.”

Friends of Thallander established a trust fund to help him with the financial needs he will face in the months ahead. Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena will host a choral benefit concert for him at 7 p.m. March 21. A keyboard benefit is scheduled at the Crystal Cathedral Sept. 10.

Thallander’s rehabilitation is no small challenge. Medication for phantom pain, experienced after amputation, makes him tired. He has had to learn new ways of doing everyday tasks, including walking.

“It’s very easy to take one step wrong,” he said. “You don’t have two arms to catch yourself.”

He has not, however, stayed away from the organ. In December Thallander played a noon concert at Lake Avenue Church side by side with organist Julian Revie. Thallander was organist there from 1995 to 1998. The pair also performed together at the Crystal Cathedral. During the four Sundays of Advent, Thallander was guest director for the Festival Choir at Glendale Presbyterian Church.

He is grateful for the outpouring of encouragement he has received from so many, like the fellow organist who is putting together a series of hymn arrangements for right hand and pedals only. This month Thallander plans to return to teaching part time at Glendale College.

“I have to retrain myself with my new arm for my craft,” the organist said. “I’ll never be able to do what I used to do.”

Since the accident he has gained a new perspective.

“Before, I thought I was committed,” Thallander said. “Before, I was in the driver’s seat and God was in the passenger seat. Now, God is in the driver’s seat and I’m just along for the ride.”

For more information visit the Web site caringbridge.org/ca/markthallander. Charitable contributions may be made to The Mark Thallander Trust fund, P.O. Box 1614, Glendale, CA 91209.

Published by Keener Communications Group, February 2004

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