Dear Editor,
Permit me to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Guyana, my fans and well-wishers both at home and in the Diaspora, and specifically some very special individuals, for the love and support they have demonstrated during my moments of helplessness, hospitalization, and recuperation.
It has now been almost a month since I was badly injured, owing to that unfortunate freak accident I sustained, during the Mash celebrations Friday, February 23, 2007. I am now back in Florida and awaiting word from my orthopaedic doctor as to the extent of the damage to my lower back and what the future holds for me.
Editor, many times in Guyana we would read about and see on display just about everything bad and negative and which seems to vicariously engage the interest of most people, and the media. And given such, many times I would be brow-beaten by friends and associates when I proudly scream aloud the redeeming qualities of our Guyana and her people. What they all fail to see, or sometimes acknowledge, is the innate goodness of our people especially when assistance is needed to those who are physically, mentally, psychologically challenged, and literally flat on their backs.
I am humbled as I have personally experienced that “goodness” as was reflected in the ‘above and beyond’ actions of Rohit Jagessar & Guiana 1838 who made sure my kids in Florida were taken care of while I was bed-ridden in Guyana, and Pradeep Lall for the ’24/7 hawk-eyed attention’ one brother gives to another when one is down.
Words cannot properly express my profound gratitude to Mr. Bert Plas, Mr. Courtney Hinds and Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel staff, for the personal care taken to ensure both my privacy and comfort, the recently concluded Rio Summit notwithstanding. I will always remember the daily visits from Mr. Plas and the hours of bedside chats and encouragement in which he engaged Ingrid and me. And how can I ever forget the hotel staff’s swift and ready assistance rendered to me? So, regardless of anything negative said and/or printed by anyone anywhere, to the management and staff of Le Meridien Pegasus, in my book you are Guyana’s first and only “Million-Star Plus” establishment!
Among the many, many individuals who rose to the occasion with their “above and beyond” efforts on my behalf, I wish to acknowledge the following persons with sincere appreciation and gratitude: Donna Stanford (Alberttown), Harold ‘Topgun’ Hopkinson (South Ruimveldt), Andre Razah (Lazer Academy, Better Hope, ECD), Sister Mary Peter and the girls from St. Ann’s Orphanage, Wayne Moses’ Guyana Outpost (Houston, Texas), Joshua Safeek and Sandra Latchman of Fidelity Investment (WBD), Alvin and Violent Omram (Durey Lane, Campbellville), Vic Insanally and GuyEnterprise (George-town), CEO Joe Singh and GT&T (Georgetown), for their extraordinary “assistance” and personalized attention extended to me.
I am indeed indebted to Terry (security at Le Meridien Pegasus) and Laurex Johnson (Federal Management System) for the humane and heroic efforts they rendered me after my fall on Mash day; Bert Plas, General Manager of Le Meridien Pegasus, for personally rushing me in his vehicle to Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital; orthopaedic specialist Dr. Suhel Kotwal and Radiologist Godiva of Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital for the immediate and attendant service during my painful visit; Neurologist Dr. Walter Ramsahoye for patient care and medical relief; Dr. Joey Jagan for his friendship and timely visits; Uncle Paul O’Hara for his most welcomed ‘morning and evening’ phone calls and words of encouragement. (From him I learnt there are 69,000 hairs on the human head. Allan Fenty and Godfrey Chin for their bedside humour and chats; Nazim Hussein, Doretta Welcome and Carl Cottam for their friendship, physical support and efforts on my behalf; physiologist Paula Alexander for her professional and therapeutic advice, florists Jean Pollard and Clarissa Babb from the “World of Flowers” in Queenstown, and the Guyana Police Force Traffic Division for assisting in getting me quickly through the Mash crowd and on to the hospital.
And to “Region 11” the Diaspora members of Wayne’s Guyana Mailing List, Tamarind Tree Yahoo Group, Golden Grove/Nabaclis Yahoo Group, Skeldon Yahoo Group, and my fans all over, I thank you for your prayers, supportive efforts on my behalf, get-well cards, and the numerous emails sent.
It is indeed a most humbling moment for an entertainer when he is accorded a ‘tribute’ by and from his peers. This was reflected on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Le Meridien Pegasus, when Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman brought together a host of the “who’s who” in Guyana’s entertainment world, for a ‘tribute’ concert in my honour. I am hoping as soon as I am whole again to personally thank Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, Malo, G Money, Gialiani, Typheon, D’Ivan, Fojo and the Platinum Crew, Ras Isan, Delma Lynch, Lil Man, Adrian Dutchin, First Born, Lois Moseley, MCs Basil Bradshaw and Malcolm Ferreira, DJ Madonna, and Henry Rodney and Linden “Jumbie” Jones, for their running commentaries and talented contribution. I was informed the event was an unforgettable and treasured moment.
Last but not least, how can I ever forget the detailed attention and care rendered to me by my soul mate and co-lyricist, Ingrid, during my weakest moments?
And to my daughter, Cherisse, do know you have done both your Mom and me very proud by holding the family unit together, during our unfortunate prolonged absence, and not missing a single day from college? By your unselfish actions and sacrifice I see ‘me’ in ‘you’, when I was forced to wear a man’s shoes never knowing the comforts of a teenage ‘yawtin boots’. To you both, and in the words of the Bard, I say “thanks, thanks, and ever thanks”.
Finally, to each and everyone who contributed with finance and material to the success of my “Welcome to Guyana” Float, Costume, Animal-Drawn Cart, and Road March Parade, my forever thanks. I eagerly look forward to my “Mash Fever” entry in the 2008 Mashramani celebrations: stronger and better than ever before!
Yours faithfully,
John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul
