When Roland Mandel bought tickets to see Pearl Jam in 2019 - he had no idea that he would have to wait 2+ years for the show ... and that his life would be turned upside during that time due to a ALS diagnosis
Despite only having a few months to live, the teacher from Lüneburg, Germany was determined to see Pearl Jam perform, but it almost didn't happen due to the show's venue being sold out of wheelchair-accessible spots.
Letters Mandel’s friends and family sent to the venue to explain the situation, made their way to the band and Mandel was able to secure a spot to watch the concert the side of the stage. And the band even brought him onstage at the end of the show, after they covered the Ramones‘ “I Believe in Miracles”.
“He should also experience this special sight. He worked his ass off to be here tonight,” Eddie Vedder exclaimed as Mandel witnessed the 20,000-person crowd chanting his name.
I'm not crying ... you're crying