Nigy Boy’s success inspires hope at School for the Blind
Despite their disability, a group of talented musicians at the Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is defying odds and inspiring dreams within their community. Persons such as Jason Faulkner are determined to prove that a disability should not be a barrier to pursuing one’s passion.
Faulkner, a devoted drummer and aspiring artiste, shares his journey with unwavering determination, despite facing discouragement from sceptics.
“When people realise that is music mi a do, most people say we’re not going to make it in the music thing. But no, I’m here playing drum,” Faulkner asserts, highlighting his commitment to his craft.
His love for music traces back to his childhood, with fond memories of drumming resonating since the age of six.
“My music journey really started back in 2011, when my cousin’s dad had a sound system. From that time I was always around him; and then the drumming, the interest started from to church. When I started school here I started to play properly. Music, to me, is literally my life, it helps me to calm my nerves,” he disclosed.
Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired caters to children from the early childhood to the secondary level with visual disability. One of the institution’s past students, Nigel Hector, revisited his alma mater last Friday and donated $100,000. Hector, an entertainer who goes by the name Nigy Boy, has been making headlines since the release of his single, Continent. He said the institution plated a critical role in moulding him into the man he has become.
During his visit to the school, Nigy Boy took a trip down memory lane, engaging in activities reminiscent of his time at the school. He played cricket and football as he rubbed shoulders with blind and visually impaired students. However, it was the auditorium that held the most sentimental value for Nigy Boy. It was where he honed his passion for music, spending countless afternoons singing and performing. Nigy Boy expressed profound gratitude for the foundation the school provided him, emphasising that he could never repay the debt owed to those who supported him.
“It’s definitely an honour. It’s definitely a joy. The children are the future, and they will be the ones that will be taking the baton after I’m done,” Nigy Boy remarked, highlighting the importance of nurturing the next generation.
Faulkner, like others at the school, dream of achieving stardom like Nigy Boy.
“I’m here playing drum. I am also learning to mix music and learning to play bass and the keyboard. And I’m also a songwriter and wanting to be an artiste,” he told THE STAR.
The school band, a harmonious blend of blind and sighted musicians, serves as a beacon of inclusivity and collaboration. Joel Brown, one of the sighted musicians, emphasises the importance of integrating visually impaired individuals into the music scene. “They have something I don’t have, and I have something they don’t have, like sight. They have the ability to use their hearing, which many of us do, but they have it more in abundance than us. So working with them is a very great opportunity, because it actually reminds me that every day I should be grateful, and that music is something that both blind and and sighted people can share,” Brown reflects, underscoring the mutual learning and appreciation fostered through their partnership.