CELEBRATING RENE- HER WORDS, HER JOURNEY

BEAUTIFUL HAPPY RENE LAMBERT TODAY

Blog written by Rene Lambert and Hilary Sherlock 

Formatted and message by Leslie Wan

Often a child will come to us accompanied by “we just know that Step Centre is the place for him/her” and so it was with Rene. Over and over again we have admired the way parents have made substantial adjustments in their own lives to, not just accommodate, but fulfill the special needs of their child. Rene was one such child. Individuals make a difference when working as a team, and as teachers, we are privileged to be able to know and work with children such as Rene. It is a delight to see them become strong caring adults as the years move on. This blog is a small chronicle of a student named Rene and her journey with us. She has become an exceptional young woman in spirit and drive, and for us, an affirmation that we have a part to play in any life we are blessed to contribute to.    

I (Hilary) first met Rene ( Age 4) when she came to us from “Haughton, not Santa Cruz” as she always insisted…….

Santa's helper Rene

Immediately recognizable were her determination to push herself, her understanding of her challenges and her intellectual abilities. It was a joy to help Rene. One did not have to teach her, only to watch her blossom. She was the epitome of a quote by Mark Van Doren, "The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery"

Rene and her buddy Sports Day  2008

 It became obvious after awhile, that Rene needed both a more inclusive school setting, and a comprehensive academic program. Though she might sacrifice access to physiotherapy and speech therapy by leaving us, we had to go where her mind was leading her. As much as we miss her, we wanted to expand her world while working her brain muscle in a more structured classroom setting.

While we have remained in contact with Rene across the years, we recently had the privilege of having Rene with us again. Before Rene left for new adventures in America, she visited with us for some days, and it was absolutely a delight to spend some time with her again. She is now a young adult. While together, we had long conversations about life and friendship. She has agreed that I could share some of it with you. Her insights into her challenges (perceived and overcome) and her ambitions, are a wonderful window on determination, conviction, goals and she is truly an inspiration to us all. 

We will begin with her thoughts about what it is like to be a young adult with cerebral palsy (Rene has the athetoid type of C.P.).

Rene: Cerebral Palsy makes it hard for me to do the simple things in life. Even typing this document takes me longer than a typical person. It can be hard when going on the road, because here in Jamaica, there aren't many places that are “disability friendly”, so we have to plan ahead of time. Sometimes it’s frustrating for me. For instance on Sundays, I want to go to Church, but my Mother is usually tired so I end up having to stay home. I understand though, my mother works hard for both of us and wants the best for me. Another instance is when I desire to go out with my friends, I need someone to take me. Typical persons take it lightly that they can get a drink of water for themselves, but in my case, I have to rely on someone to get it for me. Due to cerebral palsy, it can also be a challenge for me when I am eating. Cerebral Palsy affects my muscles. I sometimes get annoyed when I want to pick up something, or put down something, and my hand is all over the place. At the same time it teaches me how to be patient.

HILARY: WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR TIME AT STEP CENTRE?

Rene: I remember the first day I came to STEP, you interviewed me. I felt like I was going to be a comfortable place where I could learn.  Mummy was working in the country, Tammy (my sister) was going to University and we lived in Mona.  

Rene (on her move and the school journey after STEP) : I wanted to move from STEP Centre because I had the desire to learn more about the world around me. Also, I wanted to get exposed to what normal children were exposed to …… I knew that I had more inside of me to get out. My former principal, Auntie Hilary (Sherlock), had a friend and her name was Auntie Suzie (Williams). She was the principal for Liberty Academy at the Priory School. Auntie Hilary begged her to give me a chance at Liberty and she decided to give me a shot. I started out in the Special Needs Department. I completed Grade Two and Three in the Special Needs Dept. and then they decided to move me up to the normal Prep school. In the summer before the first term of Grade 4, I had a seizure. My Mummy decided to keep me home for one term because she didn’t know what was happening. I did not have any more seizures after that. The next term at school was a bit hard because I had to catch up on everything, but I decided that I was going to do extremely well that term with the help of God and those around me. That term I would have to sit the grade four literacy and numeracy exam.  My teacher Auntie Toni, my shadow Auntie Karlene, and my family helped me to get ahead. (Shadow is the person who helps the child with special needs in a regular classroom setting.) It was kind of difficult because Auntie Karlene was not that good at school work. It was amazing to me how I, with God’s help, got ahead in every subject in that exam and I didn’t get the full support from my shadow. During that time, Auntie Suzie looked out for me and since she knew Auntie Hilary, I knew both had the best intentions for me…. the best intentions.  (Our hearts overflow at this point) When I was at Liberty School from Grade two straight up to grade 10, I grew spiritually, academically and socially.

My school life has always been like this, but with the passion and the zeal that I have to be good at everything I do and to SUCCEED, I won’t stop fighting! 

Rene (above) presenting her story at Step Centre at our teen symposium for World Cerebral Palsy Day 

Hilary : AFTER GSAT RENE BRIEFLY ATTENDED ARDENNE HIGH BUT THAT WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO ALL OF RENE'S NEEDS....

Rene : I didn’t stay there basically because it was too crowded, and for me it was draining – the big classes, and through my school life at Liberty I had a shadow who could assist me and at the other school they didn’t know how to help me. My shadow at Liberty Prep understood me. At Liberty High I didn’t go upstairs, my teachers had to lift me upstairs and my Principal helped to push me.

Hilary:  WHAT EXPECTATIONS AND CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT YOUR MOVE TO THE U.S.A.

Rene: My expectations? I want to get more therapy and a better education and I want to be able to be more exposed to other places. I want to find a good Church that I can go to and to get more friends. My friends are mostly big people. I don’t like to hang out with people who are small minded and the only thing they care about is how they look. I mostly hang out with big people.

Hilary:  WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO IN YOUR FUTURE?

Rene: I want to be a theologian and an astronomer. I want to mostly be a theologian because I like to give people hope, and people need that today. And, I want to write books that encourage people and build them up.

Auntie Hilary, You have helped me to be a person who wants to go somewhere and even from when I was a baby! Thank you! 

Final thoughts via Leslie Wan

Young Rene and my Christmas gift made by STEP  

We understand that all our students will not be a "Rene", ....but we are blessed over the years with seeing progress in our students in so many ways. We set goals for our students and we see them blossom as they open up or accomplish their individual challenges and goals. It is an ever changing landscapes of smiles and struggles. What I marvel at on a regular basis and what the teachers and staff seem to understand, is that special is an individual and worthy process (and progress.) Where the children end up is far different than where they began, and what they have given to us in lessons in perseverance and determination is immeasurable! I have known Rene from her youngest days with us. This was a celebration in the making, as she moves on in her journey. 

Good luck and cheers Renee!! You are a star!