Cool story...the power of community...

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

This is a story that was made in to a movie by film producer, Alice

Elliot...

Here is the url:

http://www.thecollectorofbedfordstreet.com/about/larrylife.php

Welcome Change Productions

* About the Film

* Education & Advocacy

* Press

* Screenings

* Buy Films

* Donate!

Bedford Street Map

Street Map

Film director Alice Elliott welcomes you.

Movie Theater

- Information on the film including awards, press, and screening

dates.

Larry's Home

- Meet " The Collector " Larry Selman.

Larry's Neighbors

- Learn how this NYC community helped Larry.

Outside the Neighborhood

Learn how to find and create community support.

Director Alice Elliott welcomes you to Bedford Street, home of Larry

" The Collector " Selman. Use the interactive map above to find out more

about the film.

Movie Theater

The making of the film.

Larry's Home

Get to know The Collector of Bedford Street.

Larry's Neighbors

Find out how Larry's neighbors established his trust fund.

Outside

Learn how to change to your neighborhood.

>

Larry's Home: About Larry Selman

LARRY'S HOME

* Larry Selman

* Collecting for Charity

Larry Selman was born on April 2, 1942. He was the only child of

and Minnie Selman. He grew up in the East New York section of

Brooklyn, NY. Community involvement and fundraising were always a part

of Larry's life. He joined his parents during their fundraising and

community activities. When he was 13, Larry raised money for United

Cerebral Palsy without his parents prompting or help. He continued to

fundraise for a variety of causes on his own, and still participated

in community service activities with his parents. During his

childhood, Larry's primary focus of interest was his community

service. He attended school in East New York, but dropped out before

his senior year of high school.

Larry with his Uncle Murray

After leaving school Larry started working for the New York City Parks

Department as seasonal grounds help. He worked for the Parks

Department until his mother died from a brain hemorrhage. Minnie

Selman's abrupt death came four months after Selman's

prolonged death due to complications from diabetes. Losing both of his

parents within such a short period of time devastated Larry who was

still living with them at the age of 26. Shortly after his mother's

death Larry began to shake uncontrollably. He was having a nervous

breakdown and was sent to a mental hospital. Larry was

institutionalized for two months when his mother's brother, Murray,

came to visit. Uncle Murray was appalled by the conditions Larry was

living in. He could see that Larry was competent, and signed for his

release.

After being released from the mental hospital Larry lived in East New

York. For the first time his life Larry lived without the supervision

of others. His new found freedom gave him the opportunity to pursue

his lifelong dream of being an auxiliary fireman, which he could never

do under the strict rules of his mother. He took the course with his

friend Charlie and they worked for Engine Company 225 together.

After living in East New York for a year without his parents, a friend

suggested Larry move to Coney Island. It was a decision he would later

regret. Living in Coney Island was very dangerous for Larry. Many

people took advantage of his mental disability and friendliness. He

continued to be an auxiliary fireman for Engine Company 225 and often

spent his nights in the station or riding in truck, too frightened to

be in his apartment alone.

After two years of spending his nights in fear Larry asked his uncle

if he could move to Greenwich Village. Initially, Uncle Murray said

no. Larry begged explaning that his neighbors were stealing from him,

and he was afraid to go to sleep at night. Murray relented and brought

Larry to Greenwich Village.

Larry at work. Not long after Larry moved to his apartment on Bedford

Street, he began to attend meetings for the Bedford-Barrow-Commerce

Block Association. They wanted to improve the neighborhood by planting

trees, but they needed money for the saplings. They decided to have a

raffle as a fundraiser, and Larry offered to help sell raffle tickets.

Year after year, Larry raised money for the block association, while

he continued to live at the poverty line. After paying for rent and

utilities Larry was left with $10 each month. Uncle Murray would help

by cooking all of Larry's meals, and giving him some additional money.

However, after thirty years of relying on Uncle Murray's help Larry

noticed his uncle was becoming more forgetful, but did not know what

he could do.

When his neighbor, Alice Elliott, asked if she could make a movie

about his life Larry agreed. Once Alice got a closer look into Larry's

life she realized he was living in a potentially dangerous situation.

Without Murray, Larry could wind up on the streets. Although, Larry

was surrounded by people who cared for him no one knew what should

happen when Murray becomes unable to look after Larry. Alice realized

something had to be done, and brought the community together to

discuss how they could help. They organized their efforts and

established an Adult Supplemental Needs Trust Fund for Larry. Once the

trust fund was established, Larry's quality of life improved, and his

life in the West Village was secure and protected for the rest of his

life. To find out more about the Trust Fund please visit Larry's

Neighbors.

For personal messages and questions to Larry Selman write to:

larry@...

Larry's Uncle Murray

During The Collector of Bedford Street, Uncle Murray is often

described as crabby, but he is actually a kind, generous man who gave

up his life as bachelor to look after his developmentally disabled nephew.

Murray Schual was the younger brother of Minnie Selman, Larry's

mother. He grew up in East New York, the same neighborhood of Larry's

childhood. He served in the army during World War II. During World War

II he was stationed in France, Germany and Luxembourg. He returned to

Brooklyn in 1945 after he finished his service, but he left East New

York shortly after. Murray longed for the excitement of Manhattan. He

worked in a variety of sales jobs for several years before he started

working for Eastern Airlines. He stayed there for twenty years,

because he liked to travel. He enjoyed his mobile, bachelor lifestyle.

He traveled around the world and when he was home he always had small

parties of friends in his apartment. Much like a how a baby changes a

young couple, Larry changed Murray's life. Murray wasn't able to

travel as much. His time didn't belong only to him any longer. He had

to cook for Larry, and give him money. It was a responsibility he

never imagined would be his, however he did not want to turn his back

on Larry. He is the only family member who never did.

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