Prosthetic for Steve Reid aka "King Flamingo"

Steve ‘King Flamingo’ Davidson Reid wants his freedom back – to perform, sing his Calypso music, and serve God and his community in Nevis, the West Indies. King Flamingo as he prefers to be known, by his honorary title given to him for his award-winning singing, lost his right leg (below the knee) a few years ago. Given the financial and medical limitations on the island of Nevis, he is unable to obtain a prosthetic leg, something that Americans can easily get with insurance or private pay.

Born November 3, 1956, a mason by profession, King Flamingo began singing calypso at an early age. In 1972 and 1974, he entered the Nevis Christmas Carnival Calypso and placed second both times. Reid competed in the Culturama Calypso contest where he came first runner-up for many years before actually taking home the crown in 1975. He expresses the sense of pride, passion and accomplishment that he feels for singing calypso and being recognized internationally for his dedication to the art. In 2011, the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Florida honored him at their 13th Annual Independence Dinner and Ball for his contribution to the art form of Calypso in St. Kitts/Nevis and the Caribbean.

I'm Keith Seibert. I met Flamingo on a mission trip, in 1988, from Northern Ohio to replace the roof on a Methodist Church on Nevis. Flamingo was the masonry contractor and I became his helper and friend. The roof survived Hurricane Hugo and the church is as beautiful today as it was then. Flamingo traumatized his right foot and his lower leg was amputated a few years ago. Although there are hospitals nearby, there are no resources to provide prosthetics there. Athena and I are determined to get one for him through the Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinics of America, in Tampa, Florida.

Won't you please help us achieve our goal to bring him to Florida and obtain the freedom and mobility that a prosthetic leg will give him!