Life always throws you for a loop but it is up to you to never give up on yourself – these are the sentiments expressed by singer/songwriter Gary Morgan, also known as ‘Feature 1 aka 7 boss’, who became visually impaired three years ago, as he remains determined to carve his own path to success.
Gary, who originally hails from Buxton and is currently living in Dairy, West Demerara, explained in an interview with The Scene that some 14 years ago he was diagnosed with glaucoma; three years ago he lost his sight due to the illness.
For Gary, a father of five, his world turned upside down. Not only did he lose his job, but he was forced to relearn how to operate and perform daily tasks without vision.
After being diagnosed with glaucoma, he said, “I still had a job. I got married, and had a regular life until three years ago when everything felt like the world came crashing down at me. I have three kids to take care of, a young wife, and a mortgage to pay and all of these kinds of things. I felt the world and life turn its back upon me at that moment.”
He said it was extremely difficult losing his job, as he was deemed “unfit to work” and had to adjust to a new way of living.
However, he said, despite how much he was struggling internally he kept telling himself that he could not have his children see him that way, “that I can’t take care of them.
He added, “I had wanted to abandon the family and go on the street because I thought that that would be better than being around and can’t take care of them.”
But it was his wife who ultimately motivated him to not give up on himself or his family He recalled that during the wee hours of one morning, the two were in a deep conversation when she said to him that she did not get married to have a divorce. He said she reassured him that whatever the situation might be at the moment “it was okay” and that they would make it work.
“She said that it is okay and she’s going to take care of me, and every time she says that to me it cuts me very deep because I was never grown to be like that.”
However, Gary said he felt grateful and privileged to have his wife, a nurse, a part of his journey. “I started to use her strength because she would drive me around, tag me along, [we would] never go nowhere without one another,” he said. “For the first year things were really tough because all we had was her salary… and thanks to God that I got through with my NIS so that put a little ease on us and then came the public assistance. At least I felt a little comfort that I can contribute something to the home.”
The man added that people may not understand what it feels like to have your independence snatched away, but receiving public assistance however little it might seem is actually a great help to those in need.
But with the strength from his wife and children, Gary said, he returned to music. “I decided to release my frustration through the music… I picked up back the mic last year,” he stated.
Gary, who was also a dance instructor before becoming disabled in the year 2007, performed in the Soca Monarch competition. So far, he has written a total of 24 songs, with 18 being uploaded to his YouTube Channel called Feature 1 Music.
According to him, it was his second daughter’s idea to start a YouTube channel.
In addition to explaining the possibility of earning revenue, she told him how it could also build his profile.
He said his children who are also musically inclined are a big part of his music career. “My children…, when I write [music] they tell me if it sounds good. My daughters help do the videos and cover art and post it on social media.”
Describing his latest song, “Greatness”, Gary said, “When I look from where I came to where I am it gives me the sense of feeling great… In the song, it shows that regardless of what you are going through you are privileged to have a taste of greatness once you’re being true to yourself. Don’t let nobody ever tell you that you can’t… Even at my stage, I am grateful.”
. A part from his family’s support in his musical career Gary is also supported by IQ from IQ Studio, US based Patriot Sounds and Smoke Shop Studio from Canada.
Performing
Gary has since been enjoying performing and the support that follows. He is due to perform next at the Disability Concert which will be held at the National Cultural Centre on December, 2.
Furthermore, he said, he has several other performances coming up and is excited to showcase his talent to the public during the holiday season.
This year, he also competed in the Cricket Carnival and was one of ten finalists.
Although noting that he went into the competition with a lot of confidence, he said, “I faced a lot of challenges, discrimination but I ignored it. Even to the finals, they didn’t put my name as one of the finalists on the flyers and regardless I took the flyers and did my own; did a video to promote myself, I didn’t give up.”
He stressed, “Nobody walks around with a bag and begs for a disability. These are things that happen so you should treat everybody as you would want to be treated, care for everybody how you would like to be cared for… Do unto others as you want others to do exactly unto you.”
He then spoke of the need to make workspaces friendly for disabled persons as well as the need for the creation of jobs for persons with disabilities. He said, “There are organisations providing such but much more needs to be done…”
He then advised, “Don’t let anybody tell you that you cannot achieve any goal, any dream, any desire that you want. Be yourself and with God’s help focus, and you will achieve all of your goals.”
His aim is to one day become an international performing artist representing Guyana on various stages.
Gary can be contacted on telephone number 6828105.
