Believing no matter where we begin
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| I start my life on shifting sands but still I rise |
Written by Leslie Wan
It is hard to know what anyone who has never been to the STEP Centre will feel when they walk into our school. I would guess there are those who walk in and are overwhelmed by the challenges our children face in daily living. I would hope there are those who think as they enter....how wonderful that there is a place with such dedication and perseverance! But here is what you will KNOW after a few visits. You will know that the school is filled with children who love being here. It is filled with staff who though this is their job, it is their passion as well. Our staff knows what each child is capable of (or not capable of) and on most days they make a choice to look beyond that, to what they HOPE for them to be capable of. You will learn that most of our staff has been with us for years and many of our children have grown up before our eyes and reached many landmarks along the way . You should be aware that behind each of our students is a dedicated parent or guardian or children's home that cares about that child and wants the best for them. Why would a child ever leave our school? Well for many reasons... illness beyond what the school or that child can handle, financial hardship of those who support these children, migration of a parent or guardian, their age has placed them beyond our parameters, the parents/ guardians feel that what the student can gain is more than the sacrifice to keep them there and sadly also death. BUT EACH ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE TRULY AND DEEPLY MISSED when they no longer pass through the door anymore. So mostly I would say that the visitor to the school becomes the STEP Centre believer and the believer becomes our ambassador for special needs children.
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| Concentration and determination, one step at a time |
What sets apart the STEP Centre from many
other places is joy - pure and simple joy. It is not always something you see,
but something you feel. It is that mischievous smile of the child who thinks he
can get away with something and yet isn't upset when a staff will have none of
that! You'll see a place where individual diversities are magnified to the "nth
degree" and yet no one even sees them as unusual. You'll see laughter,
messy fun hand painting, wheelchair dancing, and singing that is sometimes
little more than squawking and grinning, but it will be LOUD and HAPPY and
DETERMINED! You will hear children getting a geography lesson on the
parishes of Jamaica, teachers and
students reviewing their homework of grammar and math, and teachers who are not
afraid to scold them gently when they see a lazy day or a homework that has not
been completed. Puzzles and color lessons, sensory work, physiotherapy, massage
to relax tight muscles and calm the distressed, handwriting practice and on and
on can be any part of a regular day. Through it all you will see happy children
who thrive in the dedicated time and teaching they are getting, when most would
look at these children and think why
bother.
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| Lessons via the computer - sadly only 1 computer to share |
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| Standing exercises and motor skills are worked on. |
I hope that the next time you find yourself at one of those tired moments, you take a lesson from some of our children, their parents, and our staff.................SMILE because just smiling can change a moment and a mood. Remember that often it is about thinking greater than the present, and believing beyond what you think is possible.
Finally remember that every day brings new possibilities and most certainly more reasons to have faith that what you do now, no matter how small, is a step in the path to the higher moment just around the corner.
Post by Leslie Wan
Hilary: I love reading those passages. you truly captured the many emotions that one feels when they enter STEP. While you have always been grateful for the small part I have played, I feel a wanting because I have not done enough. I thank you for all that you, your staff and your supporters do to make a difference in Jamaica. You are a beacon of hope for us all. Much love, Mark Drew Martin
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark and indeed we consider you a friend of STEP. This particular post was written by Leslie Wan, who you may remember. While the work can be hard at times and the resources limited also, it isn't hard to look in their faces and make the effort. It is the children who inspire us daily. Feel free to stop in anytime, even just to say hello. And thank you again for continuing to be a dedicated STEP Ambassador, we will always appreciate it.... .
ReplyDeleteLeslie, thanks for sharing. I continue to be inspired by what you, Hilary and your staff are doing with your very special charges at the S.T.E.P. Centre everyday! Natalie Pitchford
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Natalie........STEP chooses to make the uphill journey because these kids deserve nothing less than other children and often have more needs. But Natalie, if we can inspire you and others in their own lives too, it is a BLESSING to us. One thing we learn at STEP - Step is a "WE" and that is a big "WE" with rings out to all of you. Thank you and have a blessed week and return for our future posts because we appreciate you!!!. ..............Leslie Wan (for the Step Centre Team)
ReplyDeleteLeslie, what beautiful prose describing this incredible place. Sounds like a magical centre for these delightful children!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barrie.................Magic is a good description of a place that provides love, hope and inspires me to be a better and more grateful version of myself..........Leslie
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