Email

Print

83 year old Paul Nabor is tonight in the KHMH recovering from what doctors fear is a mild stroke. Nabor, as most of us know, is a genuine national treasure. He is considered the most prolific and relevant living songwriter in the Garifuna culture. He is responsible for a number of songs that have become touchstones of the Garifuna musical tradition, most notably the anthemic Naguya Nei – which translates to “I am moving on.” And tonight, the news is that, he is not moving on, not yet at least, as the grand old man of paranda is showing signs of improvement after a scary night.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
The last time we saw an energetic Paul Nabor giving one of his classic performances was on May twenty ninth two thousand four. He was in concert with another great musical talent the late Andy Palacio.

Four years later 7News was at the municipal airport this time however it was on a more worrying occasion……the legend of paranda music and much celebrated Garinagu had fallen ill. Shortly after eleven this morning he was air ambulanced by Wings of Hope from Dangriga to Belize City. He was accompanied by his niece Phyllis Cacho and met at the plane by his musical producer Ivan Duran and longtime band member Giovanni Chi.

Eighty three year old Paul Nabor affectionately referred to as Nabi was visibly frail as he was taken from the plane, placed on a gurney and put into an ambulance and taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What happened to Paul?”

Phyllis Cacho, Niece
“What happened to Paul is he came to Belize, eat a tamales, and that is what has him in hospital because he get shitnings.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“So he had bad diarrhea?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“Bad diarrhea.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“We also heard he suffered a mini stroke?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“After all, that’s why we are here now because then he has to go under CAT Scan.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Ivan when you heard what happened to Paul Nabor what went through your mind?”

Ivan Duran, Owner - Stone Tree Records
“I was shocked really. I was at home when I got the call in Cayo and at that age when something like that happens you expect the worse immediately. But all of a sudden I started hearing that he was getting better, that he could talk, and that is always a good sign. So of course you think this can’t happen again and not so soon, we need Nabi. And Nabi as you know he is one of the strongest old men alive. He’s been touring, dancing, playing, farming, and going all over the place and he has never had a health problem recently. So we weren’t aware of any conditions until yesterday.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“I know you were inside emergency for quite some time, what did the doctors tell you?”

Ivan Duran,
“Well the doctors are looking at him right now. They are reading the report from the Southern Regional Hospital. He is scheduled to get a CAT scan in the next hour or so. The first thing is he’s stable, he is definitely stable. He is conscious, we talked for a few minutes and he has a good recollection of everything that happened. He is very weak, his speech is not strong, he has an issue with some weakness in part of his body, his left part of his body.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Was that due to the mini stroke?

Ivan Duran,
“That’s what they suspect. He had a mini stroke causing that weakness and hopefully the CAT scan will show exactly the extent of the damage.”

Giovanni Chi, Band Member - Garifuna Collective
“Well it really shock me because he is a strong man and me and he travel around the world and I never see him take a pills or nothing like that to say that he has a health problem or something like that. So I know he is a strong man and it really shocked me when I heard that.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“You know Paul has hundreds and hundreds of fans not only in Belize but worldwide. What is it you want to tell them?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“Hmm I want to tell them that I know that if he gets out of where he is in there right now, he can’t do nothing for himself. That man doesn’t sit down, he works and the work he used to do when he was healthy, he won’t do it again. So I think if they do hear what I am saying right now or if they do hear it, maybe they could, even a 5 cents, even a one cents, send it for him so he can help himself.”

A press release issued by the Institute of Creative Arts states that Paul Nabor fell ill during the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations and was admitted to the Southern Regional Hospital. It was there doctors diagnosed that he was suffering from a minor stroke. According to ICA, Nabi also had a stomach infection but that his condition is much improved and he is in a stable condition at the KHMH.

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Are you optimistic about his recovery?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“Yes I am glad and I am hoping he recovers more than where he is right now. He is conscious. He is conscious and everything.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“So you guys have been talking?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“Yes.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What has he been telling you?”

Phyllis Cacho,
“Well he didn’t tell me anything much but when I asked him about anything he answered me or if he wants anything he asks m and I give it to him.”

Ivan Duran,
“I am totally optimistic. I know he is fighting it and I know he really wants to get through this. Yesterday he called for his daughter to come from the US, I believe she is coming in tonight. He wants to talk to her, way he talks to me, he was caught by surprise basically. He really doesn’t know why it happened cause he was feeling good all along. I think he will get through, that’s my gut feeling.”

And if he has anything to do with it Paul Nabor will continue to do his best to inspire and entertain us. Reporting for 7News, Jacqueline Godwin.

Paul Nabor remains in a stable condition at the KHMH. All of us here wish him a speedy recovery.