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 by Deborah Hay
LP artist Gaynell Colburn is not only a gifted musician, but also a powerful motivational speaker. She is the founder of the Telsie B. Howard Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings health and wellness programs to communities and organizations worldwide. She presents motivational and educational programs to groups of all ages, from the physically and emotionally challenged to the well and able-bodied. Gaynell takes her one-woman show to schools, churches, hospitals and multiple organizations nationally and blends music and motivation to empower youth. This dynamic entertainer and educator, musician and motivator, has traveled a long, rough road of adversity.
Born and raised in the projects of Baltimore, Maryland, Gaynell was the victim of physical and mental abuse by her father. By the time she was six years old, he was incarcerated on 25 counts of criminal misconduct against her. The years of torment left Gaynell with significant learning disabilities, eventually leading to a placement in a special-education program.
Gaynell's love for music was evident at a very early age. She began playing percussion at the age of three, on homemade drums made from canister cans that her mother made for her. Her love for music, and the support from her mother and her grandmother propelled her to begin playing professionally at twelve years of age.
In addition to music, Gaynell took tremendous pleasure in running. She became a track star during her teenage years and recalls running all the time. When her mother would send her to the store, she remembers running all the way there and back.
Unfortunately, during this same time, 12-year-old Gaynell begin experiencing panic attacks. One day while sitting in class, her heart began to pound and she was overcome with anxiety. She remembers jumping up from her seat and just started running. Not knowing where she was heading, she continued to run until as fate would have it, she ran into a psychiatrist's office. The doctor recognized her panic, dropped what he was doing, and talked to the anguished girl for three hours. "I believe God sent me to that man," says Gaynell, remembering the start of a therapeutic process that helped saved her life.
Gaynell continued therapy, playing music, and running for the next few years, slowly recovering from her fractured childhood. She began to entertain dreams of becoming a track star in college. Then, at age 16, tragedy struck again for the young track star. Gaynell was involved in an automobile crash that left her without the use of her legs. A drunken driver was to blame for this horrific event. "People ask me how I was able to handle the accident. I tell them that the pain and trauma of the accident were physical and not as devastating as the mental anguish during the first twelve years of my life."
In the years that followed, Gaynell endured 19 major surgeries and 38 hospitalizations. Her injuries had not only left her paraplegic, but robbed her of her ability to read, and so she patiently learned again. She went on to attend college, recently earning a Ph.D. and an M.D. certification in Health Science and Pediatric Wellness. She currently is a health consultant focusing in the areas of Pediatric Wellness and Family Practice.
Through it all, Gaynell continued playing percussion, racking up performance credits with superstar Stevie Wonder and recording the TV music theme for "The Cosby Show" and "A Different World". She also worked on the CD Music to "The Cosby Show" Volume II. In addition, she became a master programmer of computerized music.
Gaynell states, "From a child I've learned to be an "anyhow" person. This means continuing to strive for excellence in spite of your circumstances." In 1983, Gaynell established the Telsie B. Howard Foundation, as a tribute to her much-adored grandmother whose optimism helped her be all she could be. This organization provides national service programs for youth and communities. The program's focus is to maximize one's potential in spite of circumstances by learning to be an "anyhow" person. It serves to inspire, encourage and to teach others total wellness.
Gaynell's vibrancy and dynamic energy are evident in her performances. She talks to people about everything from living with disabilities and the value of education, to teenage pregnancy and substance abuse prevention. She plays percussion and sings during her presentations, accompanied by her own digital band. "When I see the smiling faces of the children I meet, I sometimes see myself in some of them. I see children who are suffering from abuse in some way or another. Somebody needs to speak on their behalf and let them know that they are loved.
Although recent federal budget cuts dealt a blow to Colburn's foundation, her amazing lack of bitterness, and her excellent work have not gone unnoticed. She was recently featured in Excellence magazine; she's a former Miss Wheelchair America; and in 1998 she received the Essence Award, which honors exceptional achievements by African-Americans.
To learn more about the visit Telsie B. Howard Foundation website.
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