She might have been born without arms, but she touches the hearts of those she meets with a fierce, yet innocent, determination and energy that can't be accomplished physically.
That's what happened when Danavia "Angel" Walker met Peggy Helms three years ago on the first day of prekindergarten. Now, three years later, "Miss Peggy" is still an important part of Angel's life and is making a wish of hers come true.
"She says she wanted to be a doctor or singer when she grew up, so I brought her to D-Rock to learn to play an instrument," Helms explains. "Now, she can be a singing doctor."
About a year ago, Helms stopped by the Eagle Lake business to inquire about lessons for her friend, a little girl born without arms.
"When I told Rita (Wyatt) that she didn't have arms, she didn't even blink - didn't stutter," Helms says. "She just says 'Bring her in.' "
All over the world, thousands of people are faced with the same or similar physical challenges. Many often find simple tasks impossible, but that word isn't in Angel's vocabulary - even when it came to learning to play the guitar.
"Nothing ever seems hard to her," Helms says. "One day I was trying to teach her to tie her shoes. We tried and tried and tried until finally I gave up. But, Angel says 'Show me one more time,' so I did, and guess what? She tied her shoe. She is extremely self-motivated."
Seeing and admiring that tenacity is what motivated Helms to sign up Angel for weekly guitar lessons with Wyatt.
A guitarist since the age of 9 and a music teacher most of her adult life, Wyatt didn't think twice about teaching a student without arms.
"It's only a handicap if you let it be or if someone makes it one. Here at D-Rock, we don't let it be a handicap," she says. "But, because I'd never taught someone with such a challenge, it was trial and error for me and for Angel."
After a few lessons, Wyatt and the Garner Elementary School second-grader agreed she could control the guitar best by sitting in a chair with the guitar on the floor. Wyatt adapted a piece of Styrofoam to fit snugly around the neck of the instrument to keep it steady.
"In the beginning, I also added lighter-weight strings so they would be easier for her to play," Wyatt says.
One year and lots of sore toes later, the progress Angel has made is remarkable, according to Wyatt. And, although Angel is there to learn from her and the other instructors, oftentimes the learning is reciprocated.
"Angel has definitely taught me not to take regular, everyday things for granted," Wyatt says. "I feel like I'm getting a blessing - just seeing the smile on her face when she
accomplishes a goal."
Angel gets a great deal of support at home from her mother, Tisa Jones; her brothers, DJ and Adarius, and her sister, Shara.
But, her home away from home is D-Rock, a business named after Wyatt's son. It is made up of instructional areas for 65 students (currently) who take lessons on a variety of instruments; a recording studio; a music and instrument store; and a monthly venue for local bands to showcase their music during the D-Rock Fest.
The atmosphere is welcoming at D-Rock - like a big family where children sing, play instruments, grab a quick bite in the kitchenette (set up for those who come straight to practice after school), and, most of all, receive positive affirmation.
"If a student is willing to learn, we are willing to teach 'em," says Bill Masters, a guitar instructor at D-Rock. Masters has been playing since he was 4 years old.
When Angel prepares to light up the D-Rock stage, people stop what they are doing and gather around. Her tiny, yet resounding, voice fills the building.
Her natural love of music is apparent when she names other instruments she'd like to learn to play - the piano and drums.
Although Helms hasn't been
Angel's teacher for several years, she just couldn't let Angel go when the school year was over.
"She is a big part of my inspiration," Helms says.
And, though, as Helms says, she and Angel are best friends, she makes sure Angel takes her guitar home to practice.
"Playing my guitar is my favorite thing to do," Angel says. "Sometimes, I fall asleep on it in my bed when I'm practicing at night."
As she plays, her tiny toenail beds are noticeable in a pretty pale shade of yellow with pink polka dots. The design reminds onlookers that she is a little girl on the outside. But, on the inside, she's a girl who can't perform tasks in conventional ways and doesn't think that way, either.
So far, Angels says, there is only one thing she wanted to do and couldn't - be a ballerina. It's not because of her physical handicap - but because her mom says
Angel is too busy. After all, soccer season starts soon.
