This week more differently-able persons speak of their challenges and accomplishments and how being part of the National Disabled People’s Network (NDPN) has helped them.
Ivory Duncan, Region Three amputee with prosthetic leg:
`I lost one of my legs four years ago when I was 15 years old in an accident. Transportation was difficult. Going around the school was difficult too especially going up steps to go to various classes. I was referred for a prosthetic for the leg after doing therapy two years ago.
Since then my movement has improved. Now I can go about my daily life. I am the newly elected president of the Young Voices Guyana organisation. I joined the network after I learnt that there are scholarships from the public service and I’ve signed up.
I am also a first year student at the University of Guyana pursuing Communication Studies in the hopes of becoming a lawyer.’
Jermonica Walcott, low vision from glaucoma:
`I am seeing but not at my best. When it first happened I thought I lost all my friends. I was totally blind on September 14, 2004 for four hours after coming home from church. Right now I can see a little and I repair my bicycle. I play blind cricket and I sing in the Morning Glory choir and I performed at Carifesta.
I am with the Community Based Rehabilitation in Diamond as well as the Guyana Society for the Blind. The network is very good. These are very good because we do a lot of projects, visit other disabled and relate to them and tell them how to go about their difficulties.
Right now I am assisting a disabled person who plays the flute. Disabled people are very active and that is what the Disabled People’s Network is about: keeping people active.’
Robert Weeks, East Bank DPN
`I was born in this condition. I have low vision I can see to move around but not to read. My left hand can’t function like the right. My left side was affected as well.
Now I play steel pan with the National Steel Orchestra and play cricket on the National Blind Team too. I like to be kept active. The DPN they do a good job.’
Lloyd Griffith, newly elected president of the National Disabled People’s Network
`I have been blind 10 years now. As president of the NDPN we will clear up the myths about people with disabilities. Apart from clearing up the myth, NDPN will show the potential of these people. Finances right now are a major challenge.’
I would like all disabled persons to know their rights and stand up for those rights and the organisation will push for it as well. I am hoping the president will assent to the People with Disability Act 2009.
Patricia Mallay, secretary of the NDPN
`I have been physically challenged roughly 24 years. I want to see the network achieve all their goals and expand and be better and live an independent life.
My disability was and still is a great challenge. Presently I am building my own house and it is a challenge getting it done. I cope very well because since I joined the organisation I learned how to go about handling myself and seeking donations and getting things done.’
Grace Gillis, East Coast DPN
`I wasn’t born like this. I wish I had money to see a doctor to get back on my feet. I need to see a neurologist but it’s very expensive. In the meantime, I do knitting make craft items and right now I am seeking a market to get them sold.
I have been with the network a long time now.
I joined so that I can interact with other disabled persons and get to learn more and get to cope as well as expose me more. ‘
Treveloin Burrowes, four years visually impaired
`I am with the East Coast Network in Region Four. I am trying to cope with it. It wasn’t something easy. I woke up one night and could not see. But gradually, gradually you tend to overcome little things. I have been with the network two years now and it has helped me to connect and share my experience and try to gain and learn how to love with my disability.
My advice to disabled people is don’t stay in, come out. In each area there is somebody else like you. The more you mix with people you tend to get over but it takes time to accept your disability.’
Charles Adams, Region Four East Coast
`I had an accident as a school boy and had a head injury and lost the use of my right hand. I have been seven years with the network. It helps me because I benefit from the social assistance. The main problem I have is whenever I go to collect the book they kind of give you a little push around.
They also ask me for a little donation from my money when I collect it. This is at the Post Office.
I don’t think this should happen. They also don’t believe that I am disabled when I go to collect my public assistance. I don’t like that.’
Laverna McBean, Region Four East Bank
`I have been visually impaired for six years. I was walking home from work and miss averaged the bridge and fell in the drain. I woke up next morning blind.
First it was stressful. I was the breadwinner for my mother. It was very hard for me because I need my own property and I can’t go after that because I can’t see.
It is very stressful for me. I am trying to cope. I wake up and try not to think of my disability. Presently I play steel pan at the Guyana Society for the Blind.
I see the network as very beneficial. It encourages persons with disabilities and we need to be looked at very seriously because the public assistance that we get is too small. They give $4,800 and I need to get money because we don’t have other means. They need to raise the assistance.’
Linden Benfield, Region Four East Coast
`When I was a boy I had a fall and I damaged my spine and my speech became impaired. Since being with the network I am doing many things. I make envelopes. I know how to fit up wheel chairs and I do mason work. These are things I enjoy doing.’
