Choir’s vision is to empower members

By Shannon Holloway

 

CAPALABA, AUS — Vision in Voice is giving people with disabilities a chance to be themselves, make new friends and sing at the top of their lungs.  Group volunteer John Godfrey said people with disabilities were often totally dependant on their careers and couldn’t find an avenue of escapism.

“Vision in Voice all started because of Joshua, a 30-year-old man who is almost totally visually impaired and relied solely on his mother’s care,” he said.

“He had no job and had nothing to do but he liked singing. He met a lady from the Disability Service Group, Jenny Schoof, who introduced him to a choir in Bulimba run by Jane Becktel.

“Soon after Jane started the Capalaba choir, Vision in Voice, and here Joshua and other choir members were singing along together.

“The choir is quite enlightening and it’s got quite a spread of different people. It’s especially great for people who are blind or who have a vision impairment as it opens them up to expressing themselves through their voice,” John said.