By Francis Quamina Farrier

IT was no April Fool’s joke on April 1, 2020, when popular entertainer John “Slingshot” Drepaul suffered a massive stroke and had to be rushed to hospital. The singer/songwriter spent the entire month of April 2020 in a city hospital. Unable to use his left arm and left leg, Drepaul was confined to a wheelchair as a means of mobility. He has been engaged in self-therapy during the past 11 months and is now slowly regaining full health. It has been an ongoing struggle with daily therapy and the will to be able to use the affected limbs fully.

Posting on his Facebook account on Easter Sunday last, the popular Guyanese entertainer stated, “April 1st will be one year since I suffered the stroke…am improving, and, with constant therapy, slowly getting stronger…thank you for your love, wishes, and moral support…nuff, nuff hugs and love.” Indeed, it is an extremely trying period in the singer and songwriter’s life as he battles to return to perfect health, including perfect mobility. At this time, the struggle is still not over as “Slingshot” has indicated. “Bro. Francis, my session went great this afternoon,” he texted me a few days ago. I felt the determination in the tone of that text, and I am sure that all of us who enjoy his performances, especially at Christmas time, are hopeful that “Slingshot” would be back to full health to entertain his fans during the 2021 Christmas season with hits such as, “A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas” and “Christmas in Guyana.” A question in song by “Slingshot” asks, “What are we fighting for?” which is a rhetorical question to those Guyanese who seem hell-bent on racial animosity.  There are his other popular compositions such as “Beautiful Island Girl,” “Berbice River Crossing,” and “Caribbean Jam” among others.

Meanwhile, the recovering entertainer has been receiving hundreds of greetings from well-wishers on his Facebook page. Some from his loyal fans include; Faye Dover, “Happy Easter to you and your beautiful wife. Give thanks , my friend. One love. Stay safe.” Jean James, “O my! Didn’t know you had a stroke. I hope you become free of it as soon as possible. Have a Blessed Easter with your family.” Gladys Accra, “Happy Easter. You are Blessed.”

John “Slingshot” Drepaul was born in Kitty, which was a village at that time. His early education was at Walker’s Under 12, St. James-the-Less Anglican, Redeemer Lutheran Primary, Comenius Primary and the Tagore Memorial High, located at Number 63 village on the Corentyne Coast, Region Six. While yet in High School, he formed the Lonely Bulls Combo which was the House Band at the prestigious Penguin Hotel, Night Club and Restaurant on the Strand, New Amsterdam. That establishment was at that time the premier hotel in New Amsterdam.

After graduating from high school, he was also very active in establishing youth organisations such as Idlers Dominoes Club, which included the playing of other games such as cards, draughts, checkers, volleyball, cricket, soccer and draughts. In those early years, John Drepaul was young, strong and healthy and used those personal physical attributes to establish the many organisations, small though they were, to enrich the lives of many of his fellow Guyanese. Sharing with me his current health situation, John sent me a text which said in part, “…we can deal with anyone partially overcoming a limitation — physical or mental — and rise above the adversity.” During the past year and his serious health challenges, “Slingshot” continues to update his fans on his current activities to regain full health. Those comments and statements are always inspiring and uplifting for others who also have health challenges. How wonderful it is to receive a text message from one of the busiest people on the planet, which states, “Good evening dear Francis…wishing you and the family a most blessed and memorable weekend. Wishes sent wid nuff, nuff luv and hugs.” That was followed by the video of his popular song, “What are we fighting for?” which is a song pleading for racial unity in Guyana. Such a song should be played much more often on the local airwaves. If Guyana as a nation can be juxtaposed with the present health condition of John “Slingshot” Drepaul, then it behoves the Guyanese people to follow the example of one of its endearing sons, and engage in racial therapy for the “Happiness and Prosperity of Guyana.”

In closing, I share with you that I have been observing the racial interaction of a very powerful Guyanese over the years. I have observed him on a dance floor and noted that his partner is usually a lady of a specific other race…and the plumper she is, the more that powerful man would dance with her. To the best of my knowledge, it has never been, “I don’t wanna dance” as Eddy Grant sings, but rather, “Dance with me” as the Drifters sing. With his continuing efforts and the support of his loving wife Ingrid, John “Slingshot” Drepaul will most likely be out of his wheelchair, singing and dancing as before, for his many fans, improving the quality of life for the Guyanese people and others.