TEENS TAKE OVER - YIKES!

Blog written by Leslie Wan

"Treat us equally because God made us special and none of us are perfect"- Trishana

The teens did take over and what a day it became. World Cerebral Palsy Day 2015 (October 8th)  was a special occasion for some very important teens. It was the day they kicked out parents, kicked out the other students regularly at the school, and rolled on into something specifically dedicated just to them! In truth I was hugely excited to be there, and at the same time, I had to remind myself that it was to be a day filled with TEENAGERS, that dreaded breed that can make us crazy. No crazy on this day........These teenagers were amazingly disciplined, respectful, attentive, joyful, involved and assertive in all the ways you WANT a teen to be assertive. They had spirit, they had hope and their questions and responses were on point and very intuitive. Teens with special needs are intelligent, vocal and have the feelings of their able bodied peers... intent on having control over their path but with questions about how to get there.

   

In they came one after the other, wheel chairs and walking. It began with a high five for old friends re-acquainted and making new friends. A circle formed and communication began. Multiple schools were represented, males and females, with varying degrees of challenges. From afar I saw a young lady whom I have known since she was about 5 speaking with her bestie from back in her STEP Centre days. I walked up behind her and her bestie began to giggle at my hide and seek routine, as I dodged right and left so her friend couldn't see me. Oh yes her friend knew what was up so I walked around to her front and she "buss out´ with the biggest laugh upon seeing Auntie again. Here she was 17 and looking all grown up in her Liberty High uniform.  Another young man came in and put his wheelchair behind me and gave me a gentle nudge. I turned around and had a moment as I remembered the little boy who is now that deep voiced grown man-child with a double sized smile. A faithful blog reader upon meeting me that day said, "Oh I expected you to be older." I laughed and thought today, I actually FEEL older, as I see the babies from my past becoming the teens of my today. Then I laughed again at the thought that folks are thinking ,who is this woman who writes this anyway?  But, as I have said before, none of this is about me.

The program included song and questions and comments and discussions and dreams and inspirational messages. A couple of students even made power points of their life thus far and what they envision for their future. As we go along at STEP we are proud of the friends and professionals who give us guidance and inspiration in our days. This day was a representation of that. A very brief synopsis of what happened on the day. Thanks to all of you for participating!

Rene (a former STEP student) gives a power point of her journey of accomplishment

Moderator: .... Marilyn McKoy..(Jamaica Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities- "JAID")  

Marilyn McKoy - JAID 

Very lively, very patient, very much able to bring out the students and encourage them to participate. Very clear she believes in the power of challenged folks becoming who they hope to become, and their abilities excelling above their challenges !

Speakers: 

Dr Judy Tapper.... Pediatric Neurologist.....She spoke on what Cerebral Palsy is and some of the

Dr Judy Tapper- Pediatric Neurologist

causes -a general overview. She knew several of the students and obviously took a keen interest in the students and their journey with Cerebral Palsy

Dr. Paula Dawson 
Pioneer in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Jamaica. Dr Dawson gave the students specifics on what is most important to their daily routines (Stretch and stretch some more, sit properly upright in chairs even with the help of something to assist in that regard, don't get overweight as obesity is the enemy of ambulation and the source of pressure sores ). She also mentioned some possibilities of therapy care with oral and inject-able medications as well as surgical interventions. 

Dr Dayanand Sawh:  Orthopedic surgeon - Discussed with a power point more specific surgeries and injections possibilities and why their bodies change over time in their disability journey with age. Very enlightening  He also walked around after and discussed some specific potential surgical interventions with some of the children (and us) and some financial resources if pursued, 

Dr Dayanand Sawh-orthopedic surgeon

  

Dr Abigail Harrison-Pediatric/ adolescent medical specialist

Dr Abigail Harrison: Pediatric / Adolescent medical specialist, Consultant. Dr Harrison was very engaging and straight forward in her discussions about the changes of adolescence, the awakening of sexual feelings, body difference questions and the need to recognize and empower themselves in protecting against sexual and other abuses and divulging same safely. Dr Harrison was well received by the teens who want some autonomy and understanding in the changes to their bodies as they age. The teens had a group time with her (without adults) which was a reflection of how important we felt and SHE felt about giving them autonomy and knowledge as they steer through the turbulent teen years. 

Graduated  Student Speaker - Dillon Robinson

(Former student of Windsor School of Special Education - a JAID school) Dillon shared great motivation about how much is possible if they commit themselves to a desire. He was certain that giving up was never an option and that they will never know where the journey will take them unless they envision their goal. He discussed how he set his goals, and his future goals, still unfolding. He would decide to be in Special Olympics and set himself that challenge. He went to the finish line and beyond, earning a GOLD medal this year in the 400 meter walk event.

Inspirational Motivator and opening speaker (from abroad) - Damian Gregory - Director, Outreach and Family Engagement at CCDH Inc., Former journalist at Ft Laud. Sun Sentinel, Deputy Managing Editor for Caribbean Today News magazine, Council on Disability Issues etc. As one of a twin pair of boys born with cerebral palsy, he has let none of how he began, define who he became. He passionately, but

Damian Gregory

encouragingly, sent a message to our young folks to dream the dream because the dream can be attained. He exemplified to them a "CP" born professional willing to engage with hope and dedication. Great things are possible with passionate perseverance.  Mr. Gregory is a Jamaican born steadfast advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities in the States now.

Leslie's secret from the day...............

I will share a secret here. When the program was over, I made a beeline into our office where gentle Dana works her magic, and began to cry -a total surprise. As I thought about how important this day was, how joy filled it had been, and how much these students had engaged in the process... it was emotionally potent. They had so much to add to how they feel and how similar they are and this day had given them an opportunity to acknowledge that. Yes, to be honest there was some acknowledgement within myself, that as much as I fervently and passionately espouse the rights and abilities of children with challenges, will that ever be heard by the population at large? Will other people ever fully realize how AMAZING these students are? Will they ever be given the chance they deserve? Deserve not because they are different, but because they are awesomely differently-ABLED!  The feeling of individuality and self respect was palpable in these students. Acknowledgement within myself that "My" babies will move out of my life as they age. These students are amazing human beings, in their perceptions, in their willingness to meet their challenges and in their fortitude to overcome obstacles to get to a goal. The folks who came to speak to them (and retro back to Rotary Day) believe in these young adults and want them to succeed and be better in all kinds of way. A recognition that so many people including parents, teachers, caregivers, guardians, siblings, doctors, volunteers, friends, therapists etc. have brought them to this day with determination to see them respected and achieve great things. All the pettiness of day to day life fell away and I was filled with a sense that these students are amazing human beings and that people BELIEVE in the power of helping people no matter who they are! Empowering them to realize a goal- this day. Humanity, perseverance, determination, protection, ability, strength, JOY and more JOY was fulfilled on World Cerebral Palsy Day here and I was there to witness it! Our little school was but the site of the magic. Darn if these kids don't teach me ALL THE TIME!

Final thoughts from the students

"Get more wheelchair buses".............Brian

"People who are born regular are not better than me" - Abigail

"No one person is better than any other"- Brandon

 "Treat us equally because God made us special and none of us are perfect!" - Trishana

BEGINNING OUR YEAR WITH GRATITUDE AND GOOD NEWS!

Thank you from the children at The STEP Centre!

Blog written by Leslie Wan

Where to begin - with the best ofcourse - all of you are THE BEST and the best news is that we are here again this year. Do you hear the Hallelujah choir, because I do!

 How do I /we begin to thank all of you who responded to our financial crisis? Perhaps the best thank you was to simply open our doors to a new school year and let the children in. Those children are a tribute to each and every one of you who opened your hearts and checkbooks and helped us begin the year with donations in all kinds of ways. We have personally thanked many of you, and many of you just want to know WE and the children appreciate it, and that is all the recognition you need. We appreciate it not only for the contribution, but because it has renewed our spirit that so many believe in our children and in what we do. We start our year knowing that our physical therapy for the children can continue and by the grace of one of you, we can now pay a speech therapist again to work with the children. By these donations and all the donations, we feel more confident that our teachers and staff this year will get paid regularly, as they should, and we have resources to use to stimulate the students. Meeting the needs of our kids is a dance that requires us to keep dancing even when we are weary. We also will have resources for special needs that we have hoped for for years from an online membership resource, and from Amazon.com. These will help stimulate, teach and engage our students. I could go on at great length about the wonder of you, our readers, and the blessings you have given us to make it through another year, but the smiles of our children and the commitment of our staff say it best I think. Hilary and I were discussing how the feeling is so much lighter and happier as this year starts than at the end of the last year. BLESS YOU.....BLESS YOU......Bless you ....for believing in us and in the importance in the value of children who need all the support they deserve, just for being one of God's creations.  

VERY GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.

 1.  The Kingston Rotary Club has selected the STEP Centre to be a part of their school "Early Act" program.  Early Act - "  EarlyAct™ provides young students the opportunity for gaining an increased awareness and knowledge of their community and the world. At a young age, all students can easily be encouraged to be caring and helpful. Their minds are open to recognize the dignity and worth of each individual which builds respect for others."  

The significance is that they have made a decision to be inclusive to the special needs community and make the special needs community a part of their mission. In our minds it is HUGE and gratifying that they have decided to venture into the world of mentoring and supporting a community that is "differently abled", and have chosen US! We have elected officers from our students and we have had the installation ceremony at the school. What is not to love about the fact that this is one more opportunity for our children to be a part of the regular world of children and acquire the leadership, responsibility and compassionate tools to be a part of their community. Yes, we take this very seriously for ALL kinds of reasons and we are very grateful to Kingston Rotary Club. We are the first special needs school to be selected in this district to be in the Early Act program. We will work with them and sometimes with the other 2 able-bodied schools also selected from the district. Our students beamed as they were honored and made officers on the day. 

President Brandon and Vice President Gianni

Our officers with the Kingston Rotary Officers: Noel Osbourne, Yasmin Chong, Mureen Thomas, Steven Hudson and Father Louis Grenier S.F. ( blessed us on the day)   

Steven Hudson, Yasmin Chong, Noel Osbourne, Peta-Rose Hall (Board Chair) and Hilary Sherlock (Director of the school) and the children   

"Team shot of the day" -Our officers and Rotary of Kingston Officers. 

World Cerebral Palsy Day - Autonomy for the Teens

2. It has been a mission of Hilary's for some time now to give her teenage students and all challenged teens, some autonomy and knowledge of their place in the world and their potential for growth. It is often hard to remember that students with special needs do grow up to be teenagers, and with all that entails for that period in their life. Often those students have goals that are far different than the goals of parents. They want some autonomy in their lives and to be able to make decisions about their lives. In order to have this goal and this sense of "self",  they need information about themselves, their conditions, and their future possibilities. As such, a day has been arranged at the school which will coincide with World Cerebral Palsy Day. It is at the school, but it will be a forum co-hosted by STEP Centre and Jamaica Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. Included on the day will be students from STEP Centre, Liberty High, Genesis Academy and JAID - associated schools. We will have speakers from 4 different areas. Dr Dayanana Sawh (orthopedist), Dr. Abigail Harrison (Lecturer UWI and Adolescent Medical specialist), Dr Paula Dawson (U.S. Board certified physiatrist) and Dr. Judy Tapper ( pediatric neurologist). Just for students (no parents) and a forum for them to ask any questions they may want to ask from professionals who understand their needs and desires!! The intent is to help them plan their futures, voice their concerns, practice their autonomy and alleviate their feelings of isolation and loneliness among students just like themselves, facing a future as adults. We have repeatedly said that we see outreach to the special needs community at large, important to our mission. Just them at school on that day and on World Cerebral Palsy Day - a day dedicated just to them - whoot. Soon come......................

What is not to love about these two things? Our children will work towards becoming who THEY want to be and being included in the greater world around them. We feel sooooo blessed. 

You our readers matter to us! All special needs children, matter to the world.  

Leslie's message for you today...... 

Wake up tomorrow with a belief that what you do in this life matters.  

Have faith that if all you have to give to others are kind words, those words will give so much to someone who needed them more than you will ever know. Believe that whatever small grace you show to others, will ripple out and become a powerful wave as it washes through from one life to the next.