Australian X-Factor sensation Emmanuel Kelly in Sri Lanka to help promote the thought that “Disability is Possibility”
Emmanuel Kelly who is differently abled created a sensation when he appeared on Australia’s version of the musical contest X-Factor.
Emmanuel and his brother Ahmed were abandoned from an orphanage in Iraq. The brothers both suffered limb deficiencies due to chemical warfare. They were rescued by Miss Moira Kelly of Children First Foundation who later adopted them.
Emmanuel and his brother Ahmed with Moira Kelly
The need to wipe out prejudice against differently abled people, or people with disabilities must begin with the strong conviction that these people have a role to play in society and that they shouldn’t be treated as children of a lesser God with unwanted sorrow heaped on them.
“There is no place in our society for prejudice, yet people with disabilities are often not given equal rights and opportunities,” said Maliq Deane, speaking on the abolition of ignorant attitudes towards the disabled.
According to United Nations agencies, seven per cent of the population in Sri Lanka has a disability. This roughly translates into 1.4 million people. The government of Sri Lanka’s census statistics in 2001 places this number at 1.6 per cent of the total population which is 274,000 people.
But numbers are not the issue here, rather attitudes towards those stricken at birth, or after, by circumstances beyond their control.
“The hardest thing is to see how people treat the differently abled. They are looked upon with a feeling of sorrow, and their condition is seen as a suffering and a misfortune,” Deane said.
Maliq and his wife Angie, both Sri Lankan-born who are now domiciled in Australia, are talking through experience. Their younger son Stefan was born with cerebral palsy 21 years ago. Doctors didn’t give him 48 hours to live, but Stefan has proved the medical experts wrong to this day.
“We as a family want to raise awareness that there is little need for sorrow, there is a need to be aware that the differently abled may or may not look the same and behave the same as those who are abled. But they do have a place in society”.
Susan Boyle, whose rendition of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ a few years ago on Britain’s Got Talent caught the judges including Simon Cowell by surprise, would agree on the premise that everyone has a role to play in this world.
“I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn't let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness - I want to turn my disability into ability,” Boyle said after she hit stardom.
The Deane family will visit Sri Lanka with popular personality, Emmanuel Kelly.
During a contest of the X-Factor, when judge Ronan Keating questioned Emmanuel “How old are you?” he replied with “I, uhmnn well, actually I am not exactly sure. When I was originally found in Iraq by my mom in an orphanage, I was born with no birth certificate, no passport, no nothing.”
That’s how the heartfelt story began and Emmanuel narrated a short story about his life that made the judges and audiences mum for a while. “My story is, I was born in the middle of the war zone. My brother and I were packed in a box, in a shoebox and they bought us in the orphanage.”
The judge asked, “What will you do here?”
“I will sing the song Imagine!”
The limbs-deficient Emmanuel Kelly from Australia sang the song IMAGINE by John Lennon picturing reality with his own self. His soothing voice was so touching that the whole audience stood up and applauded.
Disability is a natural part of the human process and something which can happen at birth, through an accident, an illness or through the simple ageing process of life.
“We are genuinely blessed to have Stefan. He has brought us more joy than sorrow and he has brought us closer to reality. This is what we want to convey to the differently abled, and the parents of the differently abled,” Angie and Maliq said.
“Together with Emmanuel, we would like to raise awareness that we have acquired a positive mindset caring for our son thanks to the support and understanding of our family, friends and most importantly society accepting our son for who he is.
“We want to convey that with empathy, rather than sympathy, the differently abled can lead a less scrutinised life than they sometimes do presently,” they added.
The Little Sopranos
Emmanuel Kelly will be performing live with children from the singing academy The Little Sopranos on Wednesday 27 March 2013 at 7.30pm at The Galadari Hotel Colombo.
In addition to performing, he will talk about life as a differently abled human being.
Moira Kelley is the real heroine in all this, for adopting not one but two of the differently abled children and giving them love and a home. Great lady. kudos to her.
Mother's genoresitytowards Emanuel is unfathomable.The differently abled guy in music contest.His performance wipes oput the myth physically handicapped persons are weak and can not do any thing.D.RaghavendraRao
this is a beautiful story, life is not all about being perfect, its about living, being content with life, with what you have. this family is extra ordinarily generous. they gave a loving beautiful home/family to two beautiful children. what an amazing happy family !
Moira Kelly was sent from God to be a keeper of children for he is very busy and needed her to help him and look how well she has done , not just lately but for years doing what she thinks should be done at that certain moment.Two brothers how wonderful to be together with such a great Mother how lucky you all are to have each other ! Wishing you all the best of luck and GOD Bless
Great family
Moira you are great human real human to do all that
In Islam we say you have secured palaces in heaven : Jannah
Emmanuel and Ahmad you were victims like others in Iraq but lucky
Keep it up for the good will
Allah bless this family
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The need to wipe out prejudice against differently abled people, or people with disabilities must begin with the strong conviction that these people have a role to play in society and that they shouldn’t be treated as children of a lesser God with unwanted sorrow heaped on them.
During a contest of the X-Factor, when judge Ronan Keating questioned Emmanuel “How old are you?” he replied with “I, uhmnn well, actually I am not exactly sure. When I was originally found in Iraq by my mom in an orphanage, I was born with no birth certificate, no passport, no nothing.” 
0 Comments
Anuradha says:
Mar 21, 2013 at 12:00 amFirst of all I must say Emanuel's Mother is a Great Person, Great Women and a Mother. Warmly Welcome Emmanuel
Gamarala says:
Mar 22, 2013 at 12:00 amMoira Kelley is the real heroine in all this, for adopting not one but two of the differently abled children and giving them love and a home. Great lady. kudos to her.
D.RaghavendraRao says:
Mar 23, 2013 at 12:00 amMother's genoresitytowards Emanuel is unfathomable.The differently abled guy in music contest.His performance wipes oput the myth physically handicapped persons are weak and can not do any thing.D.RaghavendraRao
Aubrey Adolphus says:
Mar 24, 2013 at 12:00 amSome feel the rain and others just get wet.....The Kelley family are simply beautiful and there is a Devine presence in them.
Kumudini Fonseka says:
Mar 27, 2013 at 12:00 amthis is a beautiful story, life is not all about being perfect, its about living, being content with life, with what you have. this family is extra ordinarily generous. they gave a loving beautiful home/family to two beautiful children. what an amazing happy family !
Janet Boucher says:
Apr 15, 2013 at 12:00 amMoira Kelly was sent from God to be a keeper of children for he is very busy and needed her to help him and look how well she has done , not just lately but for years doing what she thinks should be done at that certain moment.Two brothers how wonderful to be together with such a great Mother how lucky you all are to have each other ! Wishing you all the best of luck and GOD Bless
Radwan says:
Jun 10, 2013 at 12:00 amGreat family Moira you are great human real human to do all that In Islam we say you have secured palaces in heaven : Jannah Emmanuel and Ahmad you were victims like others in Iraq but lucky Keep it up for the good will Allah bless this family