Geno Delafose: Vermilionville New Year's Act of Kindness

New Year’s Eve Dance at Vermilionville
Lafayette, LA
11 PM

I don’t have to remind you that 2017 has been a year of tumult. If ever the world were in need of an act of kindness, this was the night and this is precisely what we got. A little miracle.

What’s happening on the stage? The band is rearranging its configuration. A moment later a caregiver is wheeling a man onstage and setting him up between Geno and his rub board player.

Wow. This is the same young man who has been sitting against the back wall of the dance hall in his wheelchair, two fingers covered with the metal thimbles that have been making his rub board sing since the dance began at 9:30 PM. Cerebral palsy hasn't dented one bit of his love of the percussive throb of zydeco music.

Geno’s manager noticed him, asked if he’d like to join the band on stage. A dream is about to come true.

Geno, leader of Geno Delafose and French Rockin'Boogie, one of the most popular bands in southwest Louisiana, welcomes him warmly and off they go with a lively zydeco song.

“Philip Meaux!” Geno shouts as they finish. We cheer.

What happens next is even better.

"Let's slow it down a bit," Geno says, pulls up a chair next to Philip so he’s at eye level with him. VIDEO
Watch Geno nod and make eye contact as they play and watch Philip glance at Geno.

This is as warm a connection as you're ever going to see on a stage. Look at the smile on Philip's face as they finish the song and watch Geno tell everyone, "Philip Meaux! Give him some love, everyone!"

A moment after Geno has helped him off the stage, he turns to us, his face beaming.

" 'This is a dream come true', Philip just said to me."

For anyone with a beating heart, this was a wave that lapped the shore of our own sea of dreams. The act of kindness was a mini sermon reminding us that small gestures can make a big impact on the lives of others. New Year's Eve was a good place to start.

PS
Once he’s settled back in his chair at the back of the dance hall, he tells me music is in family, his father plays bass and his uncle plays guitar. Philip’s caregiver Rachel, who’s been amazed and happy at the turn of events, says Philip is self-sufficient, lives in a condo, and has daily caregiver visits. Men and women like Philip often seem invisible or isolated.

There’s a message here. I may have had to ask Philip to repeat his answers to my questions so I can understand them but he’s sharp, observant, and personable. He has dreams of success and acknowledgement and fulfillment as we all do. One of his came true tonight.

Philip and Rachel; Philip and PT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM_5JTT7-NY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm8Rzr_KI94

 Photos and videos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.

Comments

[Christopher Huggins]

You are so right...we need acts and displays of humanity such as this. Thanks for doing such a great job of capturing the specialness of this heartwarming, touching event.
Here is to many more of these kind interactions!

[Carolyn]

Very sweet story. My nephew just moved to Lafayette to be curator of the art museum at the university. Hope you are well, beyond great writing. Hugs and Happy New Year.
Carolyn

[Ann Baker]

Thanks PT. a good kind news story.

[Katherine Burton Jones]

A very heartwarming story and a good message.

[Bill Ives]

Thanks for posting. I shared the link on Facebook to let others know about this night and your wonderful blog.

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

Thank you, Bill. I believe Philip has cerebral palsy. He was very receptive to me and my questions, answered in detail. I often asked him to repeat so I could understand, he didn't seem to mind because he really wanted to tell me about himself and how he became interested in playing the rub board.

As you know, rub boards are a major sound that characterizes and propels the music. Philip played his rub board all night long, paying attention and deeply preoccupied with all of it. He had as good a time as anyone in the dance hall.

Philip made the most of the invitation to join Geno and his band. And Geno made the most of welcoming him. When he pulled up that chair to sit next to Philip for the second song, my heart melted with joy and I wasn't the only one who felt that.

Ive heard of random acts of kindness. This was a very specific targeted act of joy and it hit the bullseye,

[Paul Sinopoli]

Great story and music

[Joanne Yeomans]

Heartwarming story in a year full of hate, revenge, and chaos. I am doubtful this will change until our politics change dramatically. This is not who we are as a country. Very stressful year for many people. Hoping that a new year brings new hope but I am not optimistic it will happen.

[Bill Ives]

Paul

here is what i said on Facebook. "Here is a blog post from my New England friend, Paul Tamburello who frequently travels to south Louisiana. This is about Geno Delafose playing a gig in Lafayette on New Year's Eve and bringing up an audience member to join the band, much to the man's joy. There are two videos of the act that got Cindy Morse and I up dancing this morning. Paul is not on FB but covers his travels in a well written blog that is worth following."

[May Louise White]

And this one is so heart warming.......................