Life’s tough enough when you’ve got only one arm. But after he wrecked his shoulder in a game of soccer with his 10-year-old son, Neill Duncan had no choice but to spend some time at Katoomba Hospital.
Surgery to repair the damaged rotator cuff was successful but he had to keep his (only) arm in a sling and needed constant care. Meaning five weeks in the hospital’s rehab unit.
The Leura musician was so impressed with the level of care and so grateful to the staff, he decided last week to “give something back”.
So, performing a jazz set in the ward with his long-time collaborator, Wentworth Falls guitarist John Stuart.
Mr Duncan lost his left arm to cancer several tears ago. he thought that was the end of his career until he heard of a man in Amsterdam who makes saxophones for one-armed musicians.
“It took him one and a half years to make and me two and a half years to master. So after four years I’m actually playing music again and now playing professionally, supporting my family with it and my passion.
“I feel very grateful to this hospital and to the staff and to this community… It’s nice to be able to give something back.”
He and Mr Stuart, playing an unusual seven-string guitar made by an Australian “genius” called Steven Gilchrist, brightened the afternoon for a group of rehab patients, nurses, doctors and therapists.
And joining the pair for a rendition of Summertime were occupational therapists Tara Gray and Lauren Wilson, earning a warm round of applause for a polished act.
Mr Duncan spent some time in Abbey Road studios in 2016, playing on the inspirational Yes I can musical trailer for the Rio Paralympics (known as We’re the Superhumans).
“In some ways this has taken me to places I wouldn’t otherwise have gone to,” he said. He hoped his story might inspire some of the injured and damaged patients in the rehab unit.
“If I can do this with one arm, maybe they will think what they can do,” he said.