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Doctors said I would never talk or walk ... now I'm aiming for music prize
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent9 Oct 2009
A singer whose parents were told she would never walk and talk when she was born is releasing her first album today.
Lizzie Emeh, 32, of Ladbroke Grove, is the first solo artist with a learning disability to have an album on general release.
Despite being unable to read or write, she has created and recorded a catalogue of songs chronicling her life.
Loud and Proud is a mix of styles from soul to dance and jazz, made with Charles Stuart - a keyboard player and vocalist who is on tour with Grace Jones - actor/writer Mat Fraser and Robbie Fordjour, a drummer who regularly works with jazz star Courtney Pine.
Emeh hopes to become the first person with learning disabilities to win a Mobo (Music of Black Origin) award. She was supported by Heart * Soul, an organisation based at the Albany arts venue in Deptford which works with people with learning disabilities.
Emeh, who is of Irish and Nigerian heritage, said she always had a passion for music and had sung from the age of 10. But it was only when she was put in touch with Heart * Soul 10 years ago that she was really encouraged to pursue her talent.
She suffered permanent disabilities after a compromised birth. As well as learning problems, she suffers haemophilia, has suffered from pneumonia and meningitis and has had her spleen removed.
Emeh said she was proud of what she had achieved: "When I was born they actually said, 'She's going to be a vegetable.' I've definitely proved them wrong.
"I can't really grumble. There are people worse off than me. I've got a really good way of dealing with things - I just think positive."
Mark Williams, Heart * Soul's director, said the release on its own label was a landmark for the organisation.
"The album endorses our model of work where artists and aspiring artists with learning disabilities work as equals alongside arts professionals. Lizzie's album shows there are other perspectives and voices that should be heard." The album is being launched at the Southbank Centre today where Emeh will perform as part of The Beautiful Octopus Club, a night showcasing the talents of people with learning disabilities. Doors open at 7pm.
