Durban songstress, Ruby Rose talks about her battle with Fibromyalgia

DESPITE suffering with chronic disorders, which cause severe pain, songstress, Ruby Rose, who lives in Alverstone with her two furry cats, finds healing when she uses her talent to bring joy to others, especially the elderly.

She showcased her talent at the last Hirsch’s Hilcrest Ladies Networking morning before lockdown, and had all the women dancing to her festive song.

The Highway Mail had a Q&A session with the warm-hearted Ruby who hides her pain with laughter and big smiles, to find out more.

Where are you from, born and bred?
Nelspruit, however I’ve been in Durban since the age of 11.

When did you know you had a talent for singing?
When I was little and at about 10 years old, I started singing at the Little Top on Durban beachfront.

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Did you sing in the school choir or in a band when you were young?
I sang in church and school choirs. I was a solo singer entertainer for the Gooderson Group when I left school. Thereafter, I started working in retail until I ended up in the finance department.

Have you had any formal singing training? 
Not really, had a few sessions with Simon Kerdachi.

What is the path of your singing career?
Moving from the South Coast to the Western side has been a long haul. It’s not that easy to walk into gigs. Everyone holds on to what they have, as it’s not like the old days where you had live music six to seven nights a week at venues.
I’m actually looking for one to two-hour gigs at the lifestyle retirement estates for the frail or the in-house restaurants. This will be beneficial to my health.

What style of singing do you do? 
I’m a pop, blues and a little bit of rock singer with a great Afrikaans and country local and USA repertoire.

Who are your mentors, and/or idols?
I love all kinds of music except rap and house music. I relate to Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Sir Tom Jones, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Patsy Cline and Tina Turner, its endless.

What medical condition do you suffer from?
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterised by widespread musculo-skeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. And I have and Chronic Myofascial Pain. Both diagnosed in 2013. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder. In this condition, pressure on sensitive points in your muscles (trigger points) causes pain in the muscle and sometimes in seemingly unrelated parts of your body.

How do you cope with your medical condition and your career/work?
I had to be medically dismissed from work on 24 December 2015. I knew it was coming but it was still a shock after years of corporate work and having my own finance mortgage company.

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Do you have to take strong medication?
Yes, I’m on chronic meds. I’m in constant pain 24/7. I keep myself occupied with hobbies, music and I sleep 90 per cent in the afternoons. 

What advice can you give fellow sufferers?
Don’t take sleeping tablets, your body needs to move. At night I get up about three times. The body starts to burn if you lie on one side too long. It takes so much out of me.

What other work do you do?
My hobby is selling new clothes, shoes and handbags from auctions. I also enjoy making lamps.

How long have you lived in the Upper Highway area?
For four years now.

Do you have special memories of an event or festival where you sang? 
Yes. I was given a trophy last year on 7 March. This was a nomination from The Elders Voice. I love performing for them it leaves me with a fuzzy heart and a full

What is your favourite song to sing?
All I wanna do is make love to you by Heart.

Favourite band?
Carpenters, ABBA, Tom Jones, again it’s endless.

Do you play any instruments? 
I used to play guitar and keyboards. I don’t play any instruments now other than my vocal chords, LOL.

Where do you sing now?
Alternative Sundays at Pot n Kettle Boths’s Hill. I also entertain at various lifestyle retirement villages during their recreational music days.

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