ResCare Indiana North's Dream Team helps musician record CD

By Mary Ball

Roy Fletcher's father and grandfather taught him how to play the guitar. He enjoys playing and singing the music he grew up with.

(Fort Wayne, IN) Roy Fletcher slipped on the headphones. The soft foam engulfed his ears. He stepped up to the microphone. His vocal cords quivered as he began to sing songs from memory, imprinting his voice on tape.

Mr. Fletcher did not let legal blindness prevent him from learning how to play the guitar, write songs or record his own CD. The Dream Team from ResCare Indiana North helped Mr. Fletcher realize his lifetime goal by enabling him to record his own CD in November 2005.

Debut album

Mr. Fletcher produced the CD, titled Brother, at Sweetwater Studio. Brother contains two songs: "Seven Spanish Angels," which has been recorded by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, and "Me and Bobby McGee," written by Kris Kristofferson and recorded by Roger Miller and Janis Joplin.

For his first studio visit, Mr. Fletcher felt more comfortable singing the music he grew up with than playing his own original songs.

Mr. Fletcher plans to one day record a full-length CD. He plays at local events and he gave a special presentation at ResCare's Leadership Conference September 2005 in Chicago, although he almost had to cancel. A few weeks before the show, his legs swelled from diabetes. Mr. Fletcher would not have been able to play the conference had his health continued to deteriorate, so he decided to make some changes in his diet so that he could perform.

Taking center stage

Mr. Fletcher was not nervous about performing before the large crowd, which included about 300 executive directors from ResCare's Community Services Group.

"He is very confident in his musical abilities," said Mr. Folkner. "He truly enjoys sharing his talent with others." Jay Naeem, executive director at Normal Life of Indiana-Sheridan, attended the conference, and said Mr. Fletcher's performance was fun and interactive.

"Roy definitely had control of the audience and had them singing along and dancing," he said.

After his performance, Mr. Fletcher received his first standing ovation. He said it was the proudest moment of his life.

"He is a true example of how individuals with disabilities can achieve goals by receiving quality services," said Mr. Naeem. Mr. Naeem is impressed with what Mr. Fletcher has achieved.

"It is apparent he has not let his disability hinder his dreams," he said.