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‘Slingshot' seriously hurt during Mash parade
Slingshot
during Mash 2007, after falling from this dray cart. unknown to his many
fans and well-wishers, he was being propped up at the time and was in
great pain. |
Sustaining three broken bones in the lower back after a dray
cart fall, overseas-based Guyanese artiste
John ‘Slingshot' Drepaul
still managed to prop himself up and wave to his many fans at Friday's massive
Mash Day celebrations.
The singer\entertainer fell from his gaily decorated dray cart
as he attempted to wave to GINA's Niaz Subhan in front of Guyenterprise, at
Irving Street , and broke the bones in his lower back.
In a bedside interview at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel,
Drepaul, amid painful gasps, gave a blow by blow account of the Mash Day mishap.
As crowds cheered wildly, the native of Corentyne, East
Berbice , stood up on the horse drawn cart adorned in a purple king's robe and
matching headwear. Shouts of “Slingshot, we love you†rang out as Drepaul flung
decorated beads along the route, much to the delight of those watching.
At around 15:00 hrs, after the dray cart had halted amidst
cheering crowds, he stepped to the rear to acknowledge waving fans when the
horse, startled by the raucous noises, reared into the air, throwing the singer
flat on his rump.
Yesterday, he related that he lost his speech for over five
minutes as searing pain ripped through his entire body. Fearing he had broken
his spine, he said, he wriggled his toes and was elated when they moved a
little.
As the fans flocked the fallen hero, his bodyguards, Laurex
John of the Federal Management System and ‘Terry' of the Le Meridien Pegasus
Hotel, flew to his aid and assisted him onto the cart.
Though it may have appeared to onlookers that he was maybe
limping, he was actually being hoisted by the guards, since his feet could not
give him justice.
As his lyricist, ‘Ingrid,' and Stanford, from his Mash camp,
placed ice on and supported his lower back, the pain stricken entertainer,
determined to please his fans, moved on down the line to loud screams from his
supporters.
A cameraman, Noel Harlequin, alerted the Police to his
predicament, and they created an avenue through the crowds so that Drepaul could
get free access to the National Park.
“I was experiencing intolerable, excruciating pain. At times I
felt as if I was going to faint, but my fans mean more than life to me; so, as
my dear friends supported my back and sides, I hoisted myself with both hands to
avoid laying any weight on the injury.
“It was terrible, especially when I removed a hand to wave to
the fans, but I endured it all; I wanted my fans to be happyâ€.
Right through the interview, his bedside telephone rang off
the hook with fans, other supporters, and the hotel's management, wanting to
make sure he was alive and well.
On Mash Day, Drepaul still paused to give his customary salute
to the folks at the GDF Camp Ayanganna, and he even squeezed a smile through his
apparent pain.
After the wild cheering from those in the National Park, the
Police stopped all traffic as he was whisked from the cart and escorted by
Pegasus's manager, Bert Plas, to Dr. Balwant Singh's Hospital.
He has been ordered to keep off his feet for six weeks.
Drepaul says that he could be using the time to get work going on his 2008 ‘Mash
Fever' costume and float launch.
Kaieteur News - Feb.25, 2007
Updates on Slingshot's Condition
March 31, 2007 - Slingshot continues on the mend.
Fundraiser results - Slingshot sent an email to WGML saying
(excerpted)--
My dear List,
It is a very wonderful feeling - and relief - to be once again seated behind the
computer and corresponding with my extended "family".
I send you greetings, and thank you all so very much for
what you've done for me (and my immediate family) during my unfortunate
"absence". My forever gratitude
The best(est) news ever given to me since the accident
was on Thurs, March 29. The orthopedic surgeon who examined me (X-ray, as,
according to him, the costly MRI was not necessary) opined corrective surgery is
not in the present or future picture.
So, as of Monday, I am on my way to progressive walks,
light and moderated calisthenics, minus any rash and sudden twists and turns!!!
;-))
I want to publicly thank Cherisse for the inner strength
she displayed during my (and Ingrid's) absence in keeping the home and her
siblings together, as well as staying the course and keep abreast in her
tertiary striving, and for being my "lifeline" to WGML. I say, with
modesty, she is a fine example of "charity beginning at home" to all her
age-group of what we, in the Diaspora and in some in Guyana, were once taught by
our elders.
Again, it is good to be back!
Best regards ...
John "Slingshot" DrePaul
Here are the Fundraiser's results --
| Donor # |
Amount |
PayPal
fee |
Donation |
Running Balance |
PayPal % |
| 1 |
$
55.00 |
$
1.90 |
$
53.10 |
$
53.10 |
3.455% |
| 2 |
$
25.00 |
$
1.03 |
$
23.97 |
$
77.07 |
4.120% |
| 3 |
$300.00
|
$
9.00 |
$291.00
|
$
368.07 |
3.000% |
| 4 |
$
60.00 |
$
2.64 |
$
57.36 |
$
425.43 |
4.400% |
| 5 |
$
50.00 |
$
1.75 |
$
48.25 |
$
473.68 |
3.500% |
| 6 |
$
25.00 |
$
1.03 |
$
23.97 |
$
497.65 |
4.120% |
| 7 |
$300.00
|
$
9.00 |
$291.00
|
$
788.65 |
3.000% |
| 8 |
$
8.00 |
$
0.53 |
$
7.47 |
$
796.12 |
6.625% |
| 9 |
$
50.00 |
$
1.75 |
$
48.25 |
$
844.37 |
3.500% |
| 10 |
$
20.00 |
$
0.88 |
$
19.12 |
$
863.49 |
4.400% |
| 11 |
$
50.00 |
$
1.75 |
$
48.25 |
$
911.74 |
3.500% |
| 12 |
$
50.00 |
$
1.75 |
$
48.25 |
$
959.99 |
3.500% |
| 13 |
$100.00
|
$
3.20 |
$
96.80 |
$
1,056.79 |
3.200% |
| 14 |
$
50.00 |
$
1.75 |
$
48.25 |
$
1,105.04 |
3.500% |
| 15 |
$100.00
|
$
4.20 |
$
95.80 |
$
1,200.84 |
4.200% |
| 16 |
$
25.00 |
$
- |
$
25.00 |
$
1,225.84 |
0.000% |
| 17 |
$100.00
|
$
- |
$100.00
|
$
1,325.84 |
0.000% |
In an effort to minimize further loss due to fees, a cheque
was sent to John on March 31, 2007 in the amount of US$1325.84. Way to go
donors!
March 26, 2007 - Slingshot continues to recuperate
- The following is an announcement by Slingshot's daughter.
Here is an update on the condition of John "Slingshot" DrePaul,
one month after his unfortunate and dreadful accident during the February 23,
2007 Mashramani celebrations in Guyana.
He still experiences sharp pains from the broken bones in his
lower back, especially when he lies on the bed for long periods. However, he is
encouraged with his walks inside the home while holding on to chairs, the
wall, and anything that he can place his hands on. He is determined to be up
and walking around as he did before the accident.
Emails are read to him daily, and he thanks everyone for such,
as he loves hearing from friends, fans, and well-wishers. You can contact him
through the following:
slingshot@tropicalwaves.net;
cocoreef@bellsouth.net;
cocoreef@msn.com; Also, you can visit his website (www.tropicalwaves.net)
and send him your message by visiting his "guestbook".
I am including for your interest and convenience some articles
that appeared in the local newspapers and on the internet.
http://www.kaieteurnewsgy.com/Archive/feb%2007/25/index.htm
March 13, 2007 - Slingshot returns to the US
- The following is a part of a post made to WGML by Slingshot's daughter on his
behalf.
He and my Mom have returned to Florida and are presently
making preparations for his admittance to a Florida hospital. He insisted that
it is not done immediately (on the day he arrived) as he wanted to make sure
"our house and all legal matters are in order and all the necessary things are
in place just in case I have to be surgically prodded."
He sincerely thanks Mr. Wayne and all the members of the
WGML family for their prayers, spiritual support, and "efforts on his behalf".
He did not explain to all of us what he meant by "efforts on his behalf", as he
said you all would know.
He wishes to expressly thank Mr. Topgun, Anna Iles, and
Mr. Andre Razah for both their thoughtfulness and supportive "efforts on his
behalf". Such was very timely. He continued that Messer's Topgun's and Andre's
visit was very much appreciated.
He expresses gratitude to Ms Jill Persaud for her bedside
visit and frequent phone calls.
To Ms Devi Fung he wants her to know that her frequent
visits and physical support at his "Welcome to Guyana" Mash Camp were much
appreciated and most welcomed.
To Mr. Veecock, Professor Parb Singh, and to you, Mr.
Wayne, he said your long-distance phone call were both timely and most welcomed
during his bed-stay.
I have read to him the many, many emails and posts that
transpired during his regrettable accident. He relays to you that they will be
kept close to his heart and hope someday to greet you not as "cyber" family.
And to Ms Nadia, we (Slingshot's immediate family)
especially thank you and also all the members of the WGML family very much for
your support and love.
They are the best medicine for him presently!
March 10, 2007 - Wayne Moses -
Contrary to what was reported in Kaieteur News on March 4, 2007, Slingshot did
not leave Guyana on Monday March 5, 2007. I just spoke to him in the Le Meridien
Pegasus in Georgetown and here is my report --
I just got off the phone with John this morning and he and
Ingrid are in great spirits.
He had just taken his first few steps since the fall, gingerly
walking 6 feet, before resting again. Ingrid is there to make sure that he does
not overdo it.
He has been seen by another doctor -- not the original one who
recommended the 6 weeks bed rest and no travel -- and this second doctor is of
the opinion that if all goes well up to 6:00 PM today, he can make plans to
leave Guyana for the US as soon as he wants to go.
He will then continue to get medical attention when in the US,
to repair the three crushed bones -- one in the thorax and two in the lower
back. There was no injury to the spinal cord nor apparently the spine.
So today we have something to cheer about.
Wayne Moses, Guyana Outpost
One more thing before you go ...
Did you know you could buy Slingshot's music online? Just
visit the Guyana Outpost Music Store or the
Tropical Waves
Store and make your purchase today.
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