My nephew, Shawn was born with retnoblastoma (cancer of the eyes). Both of his eyes were removed when he was 6 months old. It was a devastating time. Not significant but interesting that he and my son Jon were born in the same year on the 13th. Shawn was always a kind and loving boy who was determined to navigate the world on his own terms. He developed a love of music early on. I remember him banging away with chopsticks on an overturned bucket. He is now an entertainer in Waikiki. He's had 4 music CDs produced and is able to support himself very nicely, thank you.
My daughter was very eager to see Shawn perform so she treated us all to dinner at the Outrigger hotel in Waikiki at the Shorebird Restaurant where Shawn was performing. My brother and sister-in-law joined us and we had a terrific time. It was wonderful to hear Shawn sing wonderful pop and Hawaiian songs with fellow musician, Sam.
Here's a family shot. That's Art, my brother Dennis, my sister-in-law, Nancy in the back row. My mom, Tif and KC are in front. My mom was thrilled to be able to hear her grandson again.
Here's my brother, Dennis going up to tell Shawn we had arrived and were enjoying ourselves. KC loved the music too but I think she may have been a teeny bit more focused on the French fries that she got to have for the special occasion.
We thought it was fun to see Shawn reading and singing from a Braille Hawaiian songbook while playing his guitar with his other hand.
When Shawn was 6 months old, his blindness seemed tragic but now we see that he is happy and successful. He says he hasn't wished he could see because then perhaps he may not have had this gift of music and music is his life. I guess we truly must take the lemons that life hands you and turn them into lemonade. Shawn has. We can, too.
