DJ Foot: From resilience to rhythm

For the first 11 years of his life, Norris Cummings relied on a wheelchair, having been born with cerebral palsy. During an interview with the News Room, Norris said he became determined to walk by watching those around him move freely. By age 12, he was walking.

“I was in a wheelchair, and I took it upon myself that, despite whatever, I needed to move around, I needed to walk. So, it was a bit of determination, I would say, with help from God.

“I pushed myself to walk, and I got a couple of burst heads, but eventually, I conquered it,” a proud Cummings said.

Due to his condition, Norris cannot use his upper body and does everything with his feet. A decade ago, he found his calling and passion—disk jockeying. Known as “DJ Foot,” Norris shares how he views his condition not as a limitation but as a source of strength and resilience.

“I use my foot to do almost everything—I use my foot to write and eat—so why couldn’t I try this? So I tried it, and I started off small with a small DJ control board, and I kept elevating myself.

“I wanted to get into it despite my disability and prove to the world that I can do it with my foot,” Cummings said. But it was also about inspiring other persons with disabilities, showing them they can also achieve great things.

Cummings is now a father to a beautiful and healthy baby girl. He is also engaged and is calling for more support from both the government and private sector for persons living with disabilities.

“We need to support persons with disabilities more. I am not the only talented one out there,” Cummings said.

Speaking directly to the government, he added: “Create more opportunities for us, whatever field we are good in. I encourage the government to put things in place. They need to incorporate us into some of the events. We need equal opportunities to earn as well—like, you know, I have a family.”

He faces challenges when it comes to transportation.

“It is a lot of money to travel because you gotta take taxis,” Cummings said.

Throughout it all, the support of his family never failed, especially from his mum.

“My family supports me to the best that they can, and I must give thanks to all of them—my brothers and my sister.

“My mother, oh my, she is the one who has been behind me from day one. She never let up on me.”

It was his mother who pushed him to pursue a good education, where he learnt to read.

“She always made sure I was like any other normal child. She wanted the best for me,” Cummings said.

He attended the Diamond Special Needs School, where he attained a level of education, and then, from 16 years old, Cummings attended the Open Doors Training Centre and studied information technology. After graduating, he went on to Global Technology and completed courses in graphic design.

Now, he plays for corporate and other events and hosts his show, The Foot Vibes, twice monthly on 93.1 Real FM.

After relatives started posting videos on social media of him playing, Sterling Products Limited reached out and has been sponsoring his show for the past five years.

“Despite what the challenge is, there is always a way you can do something,” Cummings said.