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Patrick Lafayette
Patrick Lafayette
Blindness : A Different Type of InSight
“ To do something for yourself is one of the greatest things you could ever do . Now , I can express myself ! I have so much that I ’ ve always wanted to express … I ’ m like a volcano . I ’ m like Pelee or Mount Etna . I ’ m about ready to erupt !”
So begins the soulful voice of Patrick Lafayette , veteran radio broadcaster and singer , in a promotional
video for Apple ’ s visual impairment assistive technology . In the video we see him soothing his radio audience , enjoying a meal with his family , and working his magic as a radio broadcaster . Patrick ’ s feature in this short production represents a confluence of some key elements in his inspiring and impactful life thus far : an unmatched talent in radio broadcasting , the mastery of technology in his personal and professional life , and a lifelong desire to share what he learns to uplift others .
It all started at the age of 12 with an eye injury during a “ stickball ” ( cricket ) game . Fearing further damage and in light of the ensuing eye trauma , his parents restricted his movement outside the home , even to the point of pulling him out of school . During this time , he became very acquainted with radio and filled his time calling in to radio programs , winning competition after competition until the stations banned him from participating .
At the age of 16 a few years later , a detached retina from a diving incident resulted in further vision loss . Local doctors operated to no avail and eight months later , a consultation with New York State Medical Centre doctors confirmed his devastating new reality : total vision loss . He now faced a choice between remaining in New York to do rehabilitation and returning to Jamaica , where he would have to start over as a blind person . His parents made the difficult decision to let him stay in New York , where he was rehabilitated , earned his GED , and completed a bachelor ’ s degree in communication arts . He returned to Jamaica in 1983 to intern with Radio Jamaica , an experience that would cast him into the role of industry gamechanger .