Hope through music

Playing the saxophone has inspired Roy Stuart to spread hope to the disabled through music

Roy serenading on his saxophone

Although visually impaired, Roy Stuart is not holding back on following his dreams of becoming a great saxophonist. He is resolute to spread hope to the disabled through his music and to anyone who is willing to listen.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Roy said he is originally from Linden but was raised and schooled in Suriname. At 22, he returned to Guyana to pursue studies in Theology and Psychology but was challenged with his sight: having no visual aid that could somehow correct his vision.
“I didn’t know what I was suffering from until 2012 when I was 23; an ophthalmologist in Suriname said I have macular degeneration. It wasn’t explained to me, but a friend of mine helped me to do some research and we found a lot of information on the internet. Knowing what I was suffering from made it somewhat easier to deal with it. Not knowing what it was, I had a very difficult time dealing with it in school and in society. I didn’t want to study because it was stressful. I couldn’t have seen to read nor study. Most of my studying was done by listening attentively and communicating with my teachers. I was however thankful I was able to attend school,” he disclosed.
Roy explained that macular degeneration is caused when part of the retina deteriorates. The macula is the central portion of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision and colour vision; the vision we use to read, thread a needle, sign a cheque, or recognize faces. It is the macula that allows humans to have a 20/20 vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: the wet and dry forms. In the wet form, newly created abnormal blood vessels grow under the centre of the retina. These blood vessels leak, bleed, and scar the retina, distorting or destroying central vision. The dry form results from the gradual breakdown of cells in the macula, resulting in a gradual blurring of central vision.
“I have the dry type which isn’t severe as the wet form which can lead to blindness. I was born with it. Strangely this condition is very rare in young people, it is mostly found in those who are 50 years and older. There isn’t anything that can be done surgically but there are visual aids which help. I have a ‘loop’, which is a binocular device that adjusts to different sharpness to read or identify objects at a certain distance. It is attached to my eyeglass, which is very convenient because I don’t have to constantly hold it in my hands. My doctor in Suriname had to bring it in from the U.S. for me. With this aid, reading has become a marvellous part of my life,” Roy revealed.

Finding his niche
Dealing with his impaired sight and the challenges due to it, Roy said he took to music as a means of channelling his despair. Music came easy because of growing up with family who were established musicians. His father played the trumpet with the Constabulary Band in Linden. His grandfather and other relatives also had years of experience in music.
“Music has played a very important role in my life since childhood. At age 4, I could’ve sung a harmonic partial, and my mom was amazed. At age 6, she enrolled me and my little brother in a children’s choir, and I was able to develop my musical talent. I was then interested in playing a musical instrument. I started with a recorder, which I borrowed from a friend because of not being able to purchase my own. I practised and attended music lessons at my church in Suriname. I was still singing of course. I love soul, oldies, and a lot of gospel.  This was my way of dealing with what I was going through with my sight,” Roy disclosed.
The musician grew up listening to American contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G. Roy said listening to Kenny G instilled a love for the saxophone. He was also moved by the expertise of a friend whom he described as an “amazing saxophonist.” Roy was intrigued by the saxophone, but at that time it was too expensive for him to purchase. That was when he started juggling various instruments in a band in Suriname called ‘Changes’ with which he also sang jazz. However, his passion to play the saxophone didn’t dissipate.
“I was working as a dishwasher and going to school, and decided to make downpayments on a saxophone. I started playing at ‘Jazz Jams’ in Suriname. I was inexperienced but I believe it was that part of me only God moulded. I started playing, and even I was amazed. A lot of learned musicians even enquired about me. I was truly shocked at my ability to play this instrument. I enjoy performing mostly gospel music. When I returned to Guyana I continued playing with my church and gained some amount of popularity within that arena as a solo artist,” he noted.
In Guyana, Roy played with a group called ‘Quiet Storm’ which earned him the nickname “Sweet Sax”. He has sweetly serenaded at various functions at his church and at other ceremonies. He currently has one student he teaches saxophone to at the National Park, and said he gets his small wages playing at weddings, funerals, birthdays and other socials.
The saxophonist is currently part of the Guyana Blind Society CSEC project, and aims to sit his exams next year. He wrote CSEC before but was not satisfied with his passes.
Roy said he hopes “To become a motivator to the younger generation, especially those with disabilities, and to bring hope to them too.  I plan on going to UG and study Theology, Psychology and Music. I want to also teach music to the able and disabled. My advice to those like me is to never give up. Believe in God and he will make sure your needs are met. But they need to put forth the effort to come out and get help. Get educated and love yourself. I’m determined to never let my disability keep me back from doing great things.”
Roy is willing to help those who would like to learn about the saxophone and also about his seeing aid, the ‘loop’. His contact number is 604-2893.