good wishes to abdoulaye diakite

[e2c]

Does anyone know if Abdoulaye has medical insurance of any kind? The costs for intensive rehab are tremendous; my hope is that he will be able to be there as long as he needs to be, but the reality is often not quite what it should be.

Glad to hear that things are moving - and it definitely *is* a long, slow recovery process, with bumps in the road. (Been through something quite similar with a close family member...)

[Dugafola]

Does anyone know if Abdoulaye has medical insurance of any kind? The costs for intensive rehab are tremendous; my hope is that he will be able to be there as long as he needs to be, but the reality is often not quite what it should be.

No medical insurance.

[bubudi]

no, he's completely reliant on donations for his health care.

[bubudi]

some good news - abdoulaye has his medical insurance now. he's back at home in berkeley with his student and housemate who is helping to look after him with assistance from others in abdoulaye's community. he's able to do most things independently and is getting by in a wheelchair. he's getting home physio visits and has been started on a walker for short periods. he may be able to receive outpatient rehab at an acute rehab centre close to the house he's living in. abdoulaye is in regular touch with his family and his mood has really lifted.

djembe is not green or red
djembe is not black or white
it is jebebara - unity drum

[SjpielseWolf]

I never heared of him before, but I love his message to unite with the drum, the heart and the community. I hope he'll get better soon, and also hope that more people not only watch the video, but also try to become more aware of the fact that drumming, just like any other form of expression is allways more then meets the eye. The things we do, transform us to what we are. The more we express in public, the stronger the transformation. Each drumcircle is a magical gathering where alot happens. Each individual has the choice to be part of that, and in which degree. Even when unaware of this, it does have effect - Only the more aware, the more connected, and thus more open to the entire process of attuning diversity into unity. Basically the drum binds us all as family, as a little community.

That is why we should have big respect for people like abdoulaye. He can teach that just by his presence, without using too much words. I hope more and more people will learn to experience the drum that way , and abdoulaye wil lget better soon, so he can touch more souls with his magic

Take care!

[the kid]

Heres a little dialogue with Abdoulaye last year. He explains how hes from sensgal but his area was a part of Manding empire and that they speak bamana and malinke{people associate Senegal with Sabar-w'olof). I often wondered about this. He leads on to speaK of unity and respect.

"drummers respect your drum, dancers respect your dance, Dancers respect the drummers and drummers respect the dancers." Easy eh.

"lets be HAppy, Jembe bara, open your heart"

[bops]

Mali Empire_territory2.JPG (33.5 KiB) Viewed 269 times

Here's a map of the Mali Empire at its peak, in the 14th century. The present-day region that is predominantly Malinke (aka Mandingue/Mandinka/Mandingo/Manianka etc) is outlined in black. The area ranges from Tambacounda in Eastern Senegal, along the border region of Guinea and Mali, including southern Mali, and into Western Burkina Faso and Northern Cote d'Ivoire.

The borders that divide Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Burkina, Ivory Coast, etc, are political, and do not represent ethnic boundaries. These and numerous other countries were all a part of AOF (Afrique Occidentale Française) until 1958-1960. Prior to colonization, this same region had belonged to numerous empires; first Wagadou (Ghana) and then Sosso, until Sundiata Keita defeated the Sosso and established the Mali Empire.

[the kid]

Yo dudes and dudesses,

Goos news on the Abdoulaye front

From Drumskulls:
"After months of intense rehabilitation, Abdoulaye has made immense improvements! We are happy to announce that he will be returning home to Senegal to be with his family on November 25. If that isn't amazing in itself, get this: Abdoulaye will be hosting a workshop with his Japanese students once he returns! Abdoulaye...you are a true inspiration! Donations are still being accepted by us(DrumSkulls) and are still necessary. A going-away party is in the works. Stay tuned for details."

[michi]

Abdoulaye will be hosting a workshop with his Japanese students once he returns!

Wow, that is amazing news! From everything I heard about how seriously he was affected, I expected that his drumming days would be over. It really is nice to hear that he's recovering so well!

Cheers,

MIchi.

[bubudi]

well folks, at the end of 2009 abdoulaye returned home to senegal where he is surrounded by his family members who are learning how to do all his rehabilitation care. the man has come a long way, a true inspiration. he had his birthday on the 5th of december in dakar. i think that would have been his 59th birthday.

[bubudi]

abdoulaye is now back in the usa, in oakland, california! he has now resumed teaching a regular class and is applying for us citizenship. his therapy is continuing. if you live within easy reach please support abdoulaye and come to his class on a sunday.