LEO ...the blind pricipal

Picture yourself leading a ‘normal life’ — some might say blessed. You are blessed with a talent that is realised and nurtured from a tender age, a talent that is afforded the guidance of tertiary education. You begin to live out your dream using your talents and the knowledge that schooling has provided when the unthinkable happens — you go blind.

Most may not consider such a scenario. Yet, its likelihood is a reality that, sadly, is only recognised when it really happens to someone close enough or to us. It is a reality that Leo Bridgeman of 92 Sunset Drive, Five Rivers, Arouca has had to live with for the past six years. Blinded by glaucoma in 1997, he has come to realise that the only thing that gets in the way of the “otherwise-abled,” as he refers to himself, and living what society deems as normal is discrimination. So, what is normal anyway? The loss of his sight has not deterred him from running a music school, which he began in 1995. The transition was difficult. Teaching piano, pan, theory and guitar to children and adults with his BA Music from Temple University, Leo handles himself with confidence and surety that few have. Coming to terms with his disability gave him “the desire to fight back, to show everyone that the school could still be run, even under the circumstances.”

Recognising that things had to be set in place “mentally and physically,” for the opening of the new school year in ’97, Bridgeman, who receives help in his work only from the older students and a few trusted friends, has still enjoyed 100 percent pass rate in his students’ exams. He boasts of 90-95 percent distinctions in theory examinations. Not often do we find a differently-abled person given the respect that his competence and his profession warrant. Yet, in his humble but welcoming home, there is accommodation, admiration, and faith in the man and his skill. As parents comfortably leave the guidance of their children’s musical talents in his strict but capable hands, Bridgeman — “Sir,” to his students — tolerates no indiscipline. He emphasises the importance of using a medium such as music to enhance academic performance as “the power that music has on the brain makes learning easier.” Bridgeman encourages early introduction to music, insisting that these children not only perform better in their schoolwork but also have fewer problems grasping the more advanced areas of music as they progress. There is hardly a moment of silence when his students are present and having worked for him, I can tell you that there is never a free piano; you practically breathe the sounds of the pan and often a time leave with the tunes of music exercises that demand practice, resonating in your head.

Parents are not immune to his rebuke because “the children are here for a brief period but when they go home they need to spend time practising if they are to get any better, and most of the time the parents need to supervise their progression.” With the knowledge of at least seven instruments, he is eager to introduce violin into his music programme and to enhance the quality of his work, even as his student population increases. He envisions a school orchestra that can move among communities within the country, performing at a variety of functions. For now he is preparing for his vacation music camp that will run from July to August, followed by a concert for parents. So, what is his take on the recent attention given to the differently-abled? “It’s unfortunate that it has to reach to this stage in order to get respect. But with all of this, legislation remains the same and we still have not seen accommodations being made for us... there is a gap between us and the rest of society that needs to be filled. Only getting rid of the discrimination can do that. If people only knew what some of us can do, they would be greatly surprised.” He added, “The disabled also need to use their talents and fight for what they want and not allow their lives to waste away.” In retrospect, he makes it look easy. His work guarantees neither riches nor fame. What he has done, however, is make all who come into his presence better understand how living with one another is done, how easily we can accommodate our differences in whatever way we are able to do so, leaving no gaps.