Maritza Cañas Tony Melendez

NEVER  SAY YOU CAN’T

I admire people with physical disabilities that with your effort, dedication and your high esteem  overcome every obstacle that comes their and especially because every day they have more desire to continue living.

One of those people is Tony Melendez is a Nicaraguan American guitar  player, composer, singer and songwriter who was born without arms.

Tony from child had to live with this disability and suffer the ridicule of his friends  But despite all the difficulties, he wanted to be self-sufficient and with the help of his father who encouraged him began writing, playing with the toes. 

Since childhood he likes the music and loved to see his father played guitar and he began practicing  7 hours per day until he learned to play the guitar with his feet.

He thought he never was going to marry because women were scared when they saw that he had not arms but  now he  has a woman who does not care about his disability and  they adopted two children.

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15,1987, he played his guitar for pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. 

“Never be the same” was an appropriate song, for those few moments changed Tony Melendez' life and brought his unrestrained abilities as a guitarist into national attention. It seems to be a fitting place for a man who has spent his life putting personal confidence above his handicap.

One thing I admire is that he feels a normal person because he has his feet and  he can do everything for example driver a car, swim, play,open a door etc

he always is happy because he want live and because god has given him a wonderful life  this makes me think that sometimes we  don't appreciate that we have and always we complain a lot.he always says that everyone can do what he believe impossible just have to trust yourself.