Chris Brown’s visit gives Tivoli Gardens resident hope

The Tivoli Gardens community in west Kingston experienced an electrifying surge of excitement as international artiste Chris Brown, along with Sean Kingston and Byron Messia, made an unexpected appearance yesterday.

The trio's visit was marked by the filming of the highly anticipated music video for Taliban III. The shoot traversed various sections of the community, from Tivoli Courts to Lizard Town and Bumps Park, where Brown left his signature and a note on the wall of fame. However, it was resident Jaleel Coote, 26 who stole the spotlight, as he was the only one who actually had a one-on-one interaction with the acclaimed Look At Me Now artiste. Coote, who is physical challenged due to an undiagnosed condition that emerged when he was 15, said that meeting Brown held a profound significance for him.

"I felt special, especially with my physical challenges. The fact that someone as famous as Chris Brown took time to acknowledge me is something I can share with my fellow disabled friends," he expressed with an infectious smile. He recounted how his struggles with balance led to a reliance on a wheelchair, although he can still move around with the aid of a walker. The wheelchair facilitates faster movement, particularly when going to the bathroom. Despite the challenges he faces, Coote's determination is evident. Having completed special school and is embarking on a HEART programme, he has had his setbacks.

"I started the programme for two weeks, but because of my shaking, the company stopped me, and I haven't been placed since. It's unfair, but that's life," he remarked. But Coote's encounter with Brown has reenergised him, and he conveyed hope for a positive future.

"My experience gives me hope, not just for my disabled community, but for my home community as well. It felt like being a movie star because everyone's talking about the fact that Chris spoke to me. They even called my mother at work to tell her!" he chuckled as he relayed the story to THE STAR. Coote getting to chill with Brown was the climax of the day's events, as the youngster was thoughtfully guided through the crowd to meet the singer.

In the preceding moments, children were eager to meet the celebrity. And although they couldn't, they were pleasantly surprised when they were gifted with US dollar bills that they happily pocketed. Meanwhile, the female admirers desperately pleaded with the security personnel for a closer encounter, although only a fortunate few were granted the chance to snap close-up pictures beyond human barricade. Among the lucky youngsters who managed to touch the superstar was 14-year-old Oshane Brown, who said about Brown: "The man feels soft, he's calm, and he doesn't run people."

Looking ahead, Coote envisions a brighter future, not just for himself, but for his community.

"I hope more big artistes from overseas come to Jamaica and visit places like Tivoli Gardens and other inner-city communities. It will bring hope, and perhaps they can discover some talented singers and dancers to collaborate with," he optimistically expressed.