Musician Tony Melendez has a surprising answer to a question about his childhood in Nicaragua.
"I would definitely say [it] was very normal," he says. "I live in a body without any arms but a heart and mind that was very aware of everything around me. Since I felt pretty normal, it was almost like I didn't have a disability. I was a person living life and enjoying it.
Tony Melendez
In Concert
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, 1 St. Bernard Lane
Cost: $5 at the door
Information: 855-9069, bvstbernard.org
In adulthood, "music has taken me all over the world and gave me an opportunity to have my own show -- 'A Gift of Hope' -- in Branson," he adds.
So one might imagine Melendez just sings. But that's another surprise. He also plays the guitar -- in a very unusual way.
"The guitar actually started off as a toy," he explains. "I was able to conquer and enjoy my musical ability to play the guitar with my toes. I place a guitar on the floor, my left foot does the fretwork, and the right foot does the strumming."
What Melendez himself didn't expect was that a moment captured with Pope John Paul II would change his life. "But it did," he marvels, "and it opened the doors to singing for conferences, events, television, hospitals, prisons, presentations for the young and even the corporate world. I have now been to 44 countries, and in May I will be going to Africa for the first time. I could not have dreamed of this in a million years."
On Sunday, Melendez will perform at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, and he hopes it is more than a concert.
"I'm hoping it truly touches the heart, and that with my voice and guitar on the floor, it reaches the soul and that it inspires," he says. "People often wonder what my concert's going to be like; it is an experience, with stories of my life, and it is real, and that's what people leave saying.
"So if there's one thing I wish they could take home is to see firsthand how much potential a human being could have," he adds. "If my feet can play a guitar, string a guitar, drive a car and do most everything to be able to fend for myself, just think about the potential you have with your heart, mind and your soul. Just reach for your dreams and have faith in yourself, others and God. I hope they are inspired to never give up!"
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN Religion on 12/07/2019