Lawrence meets Steven Tyler

Northbrook, Illinois -- The colors were a bit faded and the skin wasn't quite as firm as it used to be, but you could still make out the design of Lawrence Ori's only tattoo. He couldn't raise his arm proudly to show you anymore, but you could still see the Aerosmith logo there on his bicep.

It's not just the tattoo. Aerosmith weaved its way through Ori's life in both obvious and subtle ways. His license plate read "ROCKN" and his cell phone played the band's classic "Dream On".

"He turned me into a rocker chick," said Joanie Dziak, Ori's girlfriend. "He taught me to rock at age 50."

Ori, then 62, had progressive supranuclear palsey (PSP), a degenerative condition similar to Parkinson's disease, that made it difficult for him to talk and move. But even as a hospice patient, when "Sweet Emotion" or "Rag Doll" came on, he tapped his feet and nodded his head in time with the music.

Ori knew that his days of "livin' on the edge" were past, but some dreams are just too big to give up on -- like Ori's dream of meeting his rock hero Steven Tyler.

As his condition worsened, Ori knew his chance of meeting Tyler was growing slimmer. Even as he came to terms with his own death, he stayed loyal to his dream.

His family had gathered around his bed, donning black Aerosmith t-shirts in solidarity with their rocker friend. Aerosmith's greatest hits came from the CD player in the corner, and pictures of Ori at concerts were on the walls.

Then the word came: Steven Tyler is calling -- literally. In a flurry of movement and chatter, a computer was placed in front of Ori and Tyler's face came into view via a Skype video call.

"Lawrence? This is Steven," Tyler said. "I'm coming to you from L.A. and I'm so glad to meet you."

Ori couldn't respond, but his eyes went wide. His girlfriend Joanie Dziak held his hand and spoke for him. Dziak told Tyler about Ori's passion for rock music and Aerosmith. She couldn't even count how many times Ori had seen the band in concert.

Ori's family waved and called their thanks from where they were situated around the room.

That's the great thing about music, Tyler said, that it brings people together and really gets into your soul.

"So glad you are all there to surround Lawrence with so much love," he added.

The call didn't last too long as Ori's strength was waning and his emotions were running as high as they ever had.

"You hold on, Lawrence. I love you man," Tyler said. "Great to meet you."

Ori's eyes were full of unshed tears. Dziak bent down to hug him, whispering in his ear. The rest of his family quietly closed in on his bed, celebrating the moment that had been a lifetime coming.

Ori passed away that afternoon, with "Dream On" in the background and a smile on his face.

The Skype call was arranged by the Passages Hospice Dream Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet wishes and improving quality of life among hospice patients. To donate, please visit www.passageshospice.com/donate.aspx.

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[A.J. Richardson]

And thats just the type of person Steven is. So caring and loving. He cares about all his fans.. and he has so many! It makes me so happy inside that he would take the time out of his daily routine to go on skype and say a quick "I love you" and "goodbye" to his dying fan. <3

[lidorigan]

Steven Tyler, beautiful spirit...that's why we love him so much

[Jessica Carrillo]

He is a great person, so I love it!



[KINGKONGBRINLEY]

Steven has such a big heart.. This is why I love him <3

[Jo DeMarc]

Good question. Obviously, not a cool person(or a Steven Tyler fan)...

[Jo DeMarc]

I admit it, I cried. Lawrence,I hope you had a gentle ride on the "Stairway To Heaven".

Mr. Tyler, I bow humbly to you; you're a special man.

[KINGKONGBRINLEY]

WHO IS THE IDIOT WHO DISLIKED THIS??!!

[SAJ3232]

OMG!!!!!! IM A HUGE STEVEN TYLER FAN IN BUFFALO NY AGE 39 PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLIST DAUGHTER 13 YRS OLD AND I WAZ MORE EMOTIONAL AFTER READING ORI'S STORY THEN READING HE THEN PASSED THAT AFTERNOON THEN WHEN BROOKE WAZ BORN!!!! GOD BLESS THAT FAMILY AND THATS WHAT ITA ABOUT MY FRIENDS!!!!! EVERYONE ALWAYS WANTS TO SNAP PIX WITH ME CUZ I LOOK EXACTLY LIKE NIKKI SIXX,,,ITS KOOL BUT THIS WAZ JUST AMAZING!!!!!..I NEED TO POST THIS ON MY FB!!!,,,OMG I WANNA KEEP GOING BUT GOD BLESS THAT FAMILY!!

[Ben Weise]

I love ya Steven, my dude!

[simaess]

<3 ...and this is why I love Steven Tyler.

[TheBoomerKuwanger]

What is Steven Tyler's Skype account?

[sueellen360]

ok, who disliked it? no shit, WTH?