Miami Symphony Orchestra helps Haitian musician

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A blind Haitian musician, who suffered devastating injuries after the earthquake in Haiti, is receiving help from a popular South Florida symphony.

For 18 hours, Romel Joseph lay buried in the rubble of his music school in Port-au-Prince. For 18 hours, the concert violinist stayed alert, reliving in his mind every music piece he had ever performed over the course of his thriving career, until he was finally rescued.

Joseph was badly broken-- his legs were crushed, while the bones in his left hand were shattered. However, the concrete that covered him, would not and could not kill him. "I thought my time was up under the ground. And God says, 'No, you have things to do,'" said Joseph.

Sunday night, a packed house at a benefit concert on Miami Beach was held to help Joseph rebuild the school that collapsed all around him. Victoria Joseph is the daughter of the blind musician from Haiti, and she's been playing with the Miami Symphony Orchestra for two years. She said it is not only for her dad that they perform but for those at the school in Haiti they hope to rebuild, as well. "He came from nothing and did something absolutely great with himself," said his daughter. "So, for us to be here and be able to do what we're doing. It's really amazing."

This is not the first act of kindness her father has been the benefactor of in recent days ago. Days ago, blind musician Stevie Wonder heard about Joseph and sent him a keyboard and a song. "Oh, Romel. I am hoping you enjoy this keyboard that I'm giving you. I used it on the last project that I did," he sang.

People rallied for Joseph, whose bones may be broken, but never his spirit. "Even at lowest point, he still has positive and great spirits, so it's good to see a lot of people come together and do that for someone who has given so much back," said Victoria. "He's not done yet, obviously."

Joseph called by cell phone so he could thank the audience for attending the concert and that he will continue to help the young people of Haiti to be trained in music such as he was.

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