Rayn-or shine
by Mary Catherine Logan
Thursday, January 18, 2007

When Kurt Christian and Chris Starrett began planning a Thalian Hall concert three months ago, they knew that they wanted the money to go to a good cause, but with Christian being new to the area, they had limited contacts. They sought the assistance of the Wrightsville Beach chapter of Christian Surfers, and, one month before the concert, 39-year-old Keith "Scooter" Raynor came into the picture.

A longtime member of the surfing community and co-founder of Green Room Boardsports, in Wilmington, Raynor founded Raynor Painting Co. in 2005, and it was well on its way to success when he began feeling short of breath and fainting.

For Scooter Raynor, surfing was a family affair, and he often brought his children and wife along for the ride. "I would be on the job working with my men every day and all of a sudden pass out and fall to the floor," he said. "Usually, I wouldn't wake up until the ambulance was already there."

The doctors diagnosed secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH), a rare blood-vessel disorder of the lung, which results in shortness of breath from minimal exertion, fatigue, chest pain and fainting. Raynor's disease was caused by chronic pulmonary thromboembolism, or, in layman's terms, blood clots in the heart. In 98 percent of cases, it is a terminal disease. "I'm so stoked just to be here. I'm like the 2 percent," he said.

The Raynors' lives have been turned upside down since the diagnosis in 2005. Because of his condition, Raynor is no longer physically able to work to support his wife, Melanie, and five children, Jacob, 11; Jessie, 9; Bo, 7; Ella, 4; and Ava, 1. His disease makes it difficult to exert energy — even enough energy to get ready in the morning — often resulting in two hours of morning preparation.

"This has changed my life 100 percent," he said. "A year ago, I would get up, shower, shave and go to work. I would surf and play with the kids and take my family to church. But not now."

A walk in the mall requires a wheelchair, though one is not needed all of the time. Trips to the mountains or flying on an airplane are out of the question, due to the high pressure. Raynor's business is still in operation, but now he can only oversee things. The doctors advised him to file for disability and stop working, but he has other plans. "I would like to try to go back to college and learn to do something that doesn't require physical strain," he said.

Raynor is currently in the process of trying out different medications and awaiting a visit to Duke University Medical Center in February. "I'm going to see one of the foremost doctors in the field. They have a whole slew of injectable drugs that are used for this condition," he said.

SPH currently has no known cure, though Raynor is awaiting a different kind of cure: "I'm trusting that my cure will be done through prayer."

The appropriately entitled "Benefit Concert @ Thalian Hall," presented by The CORE and Christian Surfers, is collaborating with local businesses to expand the event. Sponsors — including Green Room Boardsports, Sweetwater Surf Shop, Hot Wax Surf Shop and Walking on Water — have donated to a raffle that will be held the night of the event.

"Scooter is the most genuine guy," said Pete Veile, manager of Green Room Boardsports and friend. "He is so sweet and has the biggest heart. He is extremely caring and always wears a smile. He is the kind of person that isn't concerned so much about what is going on in his life, but more about someone else's."

Surfboards, skateboards, gift certificates and DVDs are just some of the pieces to be raffled. "The way everything has come together, it is obvious that this was planned by someone much bigger than us," said Jason Andre, spokesperson for the event.

The concert will feature Christian hardcore rock band, The 7 Method, along with special guests Grade A and local acoustic artist Chris Denning. Food Lion is also allowing the public to register MVP cards with Christian Surfers to support Raynor.

"I'm truly humbled by everyone putting this together for me," he said. "I'm completely blown away and so grateful."




















Supplied photos courtesy of Scooter Raynor
Surfer and shaper Scooter Raynor frequently surfed at Wrightsville Beach before his illness.