On Saturday night, the disabled community emphatically reinforced the message ‘Disability does not mean inability’ through the hosting of an exceptional Talent Show at the Prince Cave Hall. The entertaining production was staged by the National United Society of Blind Barbados (NUSB). The wealth of talent that exists was evident as participants exhibited their artistry in multiple artforms.
The funds generated from the concert will be used in the execution of the organisation’s programmes. In her welcome Janeil Odle said, “This talent show also gives us the opportunity to showcase all the abilities and capabilities of persons with disabilities.” She lamented, “For too long we have been hearing that persons with disabilities can’t do anything. We are limited, we are placed in a box, but we thank you for coming out today to give us the opportunity to showcase these abilities, and to show the world what we can do.”
Janeil Odle
The package opened with a musical interlude by the Barbados Police Service Band. After the festivities were blessed by Keith Yearwood, they satisfied the large audience with their eclectic skills. The first act on stage was Patrick Forde. The award-winning dancer delivered two energetic performances. Patrons were regaled in song by Betty Allamby with One Day at a Time.
Betty Allamby sang for the appreciative audience.
Richard Stoute Over-21 Contest competitor Juanita Paul-Gibbs made two appearances. In the first, she serenaded the appreciative audience with Stand by Your Man and then did Think Twice. Renaldo Wickham added his own flair to the R&B hit I Want to Know.
Singer Juanita Paul-Gibbes appeared in both segments.
In the multidimensional showcase Anne Marie Goddard impressed her prowess as a poet performing two self-penned pieces. The first was the light-hearted Dem Blind People. It was comedic as she informed attendees that visually challenged persons could be just as malicious as the wider community. In her second appearance she performed From Us to You delivering an impassioned heartfelt message. In this work she emphasized that we all want the same things out of our lives including love, marriage and children. An excerpt said, “We disabled too have dreams and goals and are determined to fulfil these roles. To strive for them with all our might and never ever give up the fight.”
Also making two appearances was reggae chanter Tony ‘TC’ Cummins. The dynamic artiste’s spitfire delivery thoroughly entertained the audience in both his showings.
The cast showed that they were competent actors with a dramatic presentation Job is Fuh All a We. The theme of the skit underscored the continued fight to be recognized as equal members of the society. The actors addressed the common misconception of employers thinking that members of the disabled community are unable to be highly productive members of the workforce. They reinforced that they could work equally as hard. In the presentation, one of the visually impaired actors stepped forward to request security work. When quizzed how he planned to undertake these duties, he quipped that he had his seeing-eye dog.
Throughout the night tokens of appreciation were given to those who have been champions in the fight for the rights of the differently able and who have delivered yeoman service to their community. Among the recipients were Roger Vaughan, Marjorie Watson, John Mwanza and Hermes Nurse.
A guest appearance was made by Trinity Clarke. Master of Ceremonies was the humorous Mac Fingal. Senator Kerryann Ifill and Member of Parliament Edmund Hinkson were in attendance.(STT)
