Pro-Life Estevan and area wants to show the community what kind of great things can arise when people face and overcome challenges in their lives. The association鈥檚 upcoming fundraiser concert at Estevan Comprehensive聽 School will feature the talents of Tony DeBlois, a man who has faced, overcame, and flourished in the face of many challenges in his life.
DeBlois, who is autistic, was born weighing barely over one pound, and without eyes. His life has dealt him a gauntlet of challenges relating to his disabilities. Despite this, he has gone on to develop tremendous musical skill with the piano.
And with those challenges, comes potential. The 41-year old has savant syndrome, manifesting as an amount of musical talent well outside the realm of the average 鈥� something that often occurs in people with disabilities. This talent is evident in the shockingly quick way he can learn music, and how effortlessly his skillful playing appears to be.
DeBlois鈥� musical talents don鈥檛 end in front of a piano, either. He can also proficiently play 22 other instruments. DeBlois is the recipient of the聽 Boston Celtics鈥� Heroes Among Us award, in 2003, and has appeared in the 1997 CBS made for TV movie, Journey of the Heart, as well as a multitude of documentaries and TV specials over the years.
鈥淚 chose him for the concert because I heard him at a convention four years ago in Winnipeg, and I was blown away by his story, his enthusiasm, and the by the fact that he鈥檚 so inspiring,鈥� said Bridget Bittman, president of the Pro-Life Estevan and area. 鈥淗e had this sense of humour from what he鈥檚 done, and he鈥檚 so positive and upbeat.鈥�
DeBlois鈥� favourite phrase is 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 learned that yet,鈥� a fitting thing to say for someone who has shown and continues to show the capacity he has for learning and excelling with many types of music.聽
Bittman said, 鈥淲e want to inspire people with a great message. It鈥檚 not heavy-handed in any way, shape or form. When he was born, doctors said, 鈥榃hy bother letting him live?鈥� The mother made that decision, 鈥榊es I know he has disabilities, but he鈥檚 my child.鈥� Look what a blessing he鈥檚 been to the world.
鈥淧eople told the mother he was going to be nothing but a burden when he was a child, but he鈥檚 been nothing but a joy and an inspiration,鈥� Bittman added.
The concert is slated to take place at the ECS on Oct. 16, and will run from 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Estevan Pro-Life office, ECS, or Henders Drugs.聽
