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Living life her way: Helen’s story
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we’re celebrating Helen, a much-loved...
Manny Vogatzis
“I’ve got to follow that dream, wherever that dream may lead” – Elvis Presley
For Manny Vogatzis, the lyrics of this Elvis song ring true. Music has been an important part of his life for as long as he can remember. He absolutely loves to dance, play the guitar and, most importantly, sing. His favourite artists are The Seekers, John Paul Young, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. In fact, Manny is such an admirer of Elvis that he’s taken to rocking those infamous sideburns (AKA mutton chops)!
For Manny though, there has always been one dream he’s wanted to achieve; recording his own music CD, and thanks to Our Wishing Tree program, he’s recently been able to make that dream a reality.
The story continues...
Over 12 weeks, Manny gets to spend an hour in a proper recording booth with a sound technician, recording his own versions of his favourite songs.
Manny is unable to read or write, so instead he’s learnt to sing the songs he loves by memorising the lyrics. So far, he’s memorised over 75, with his favourites at the moment including Don’t Be Cruel by Elvis and Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison. He also makes sure he takes very special care of his most important instrument, his voice. “I don’t drink or smoke, and I like to drink iced tea, it soothes my throat.”
How we helped
And whilst his dream of recording his own music CD is now in the process of being realised, Manny is determined not to slow down in his music career just yet. Instead, he’s already setting his sights on his next big goal:
“I want to be the lead singer in a band and sing at the casino with my own tour bus, and be on channels 7, 9 and 10!”
As for his band name, Manny has that covered too!
“The World Band of Manuel Elvis!”
For Manny, music is about more than big dreams or bright lights, it’s about joy and self-expression he finds in singing and the opportunity to do something that he truly loves. And while the rest of his music journey is still yet to be written, the chance to record his songs and be heard is already a dream come true!
A few words
“I want to be the lead singer in a band and sing at the casino with my own tour bus, and be on channels 7, 9 and 10!”
- Manny Vogatzis
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