Build a ramp for Giovani and others…

By Fr Dwight Merrick

Doctors couldn’t or wouldn’t tell his parents a name for years. And before they knew it, it was time for Giovani to get to pre-school like other little children his age. His condition was still not diagnosed definitively, yet it was clear his legs and waste removal systems were not normal.

The Morvant Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Centre was a blessing! They had toilet facilities for him and excellent teachers to get his education started, reported his mother.

Just when everything was going great, it was time to find a primary school for him. None of those in the Morvant area could take him since they did not have the facilities needed. Shirnell, his mom, was destined to leave her job and begin his home schooling—a fight worth fighting for their little boy but made so much easier because he was hitting his milestones faster than expected.

Clearly, his brain was working just fine. Wheelies and racing in his little tricycle showed he was hardly a fragile or timid paraplegic.

Soon enough, it was the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam. Unaccustomed to such a restricted environment for hours, he  chose to play midway through the exam. Unsatisfied with his results, he wanted to repeat. Off to St Anthony’s College and he had both the students and staff on their toes. The principal and staff were busy getting everything down to the ground floor for Giovani.

His father and grandfather built the toilet for him, while he had his baptism of fire learning to socialise with other boys in his class and year group. But he was no softie! He was tough, resilient, and still topped his class at the end of Form One with ‘The Best Academic Performance’ and several subject prizes. Form Two was more of the same. Fully settled into his school where, as he reported, “my friends all respect me and support me,” he again won most prizes offered and was top academic performer in his class.

Too ambitious, too bright, too disciplined, too determined was Giovani. At the recent prize day activities, Giovani got 1st place in French, Integrated Science, Information Technology, Mathematics and Spanish, as well as best academic performer in his class, Form Two.

So here comes the problem, he wants to do sciences for the next two years in Forms Four and Five, but the laboratories are all on the second floor.

What are the options now? Disheartened, Giovani was already thinking he may have to do something else that doesn’t entail laboratories. The principal and staff are scratching their heads thinking how laboratory sessions could be brought downstairs to meet him. But here’s an outrageous idea: Build a ramp!

Just think of how few secondary schools have ramps for wheelchaired students. And how many wheelchaired students attend our secondary schools? Being confined to a wheelchair is not a statement of one’s intelligence! Then, where are our physically challenged students? Wasting away at home, deprived of an equal education, as is their lawful right in developed countries.

To date, our education system does not believe that disabled students should contribute to society. Sorry if I offend, but actions speak louder than words! No facilities mean our disabled students do not count; they don’t really matter.

Mr and Mrs Renwick were told as much when they inquired about the secondary schools Giovani could possibly attend.

Hats off to those ECCE centres catering for disabled people. Hats off to Carl and Shirnell Renwick for their efforts to get Giovani where he is today.

Sad and disgraceful for all for those disabled children who are deprived their right to an appropriate education. Shame on those who continue to exclude our disabled students by simply not catering for their needs at the nation’s schools.

In the spirit of inclusivity, it is incomprehensible that minority groups are fighting for inclusion and getting through, while the disabled students who have been with us forever, are still deprived of their right to education.

I wonder whose constituency includes St Anthony’s College? Maybe he could put in a good word? In any case, Giovani has already proven his efforts are more than worthy of admiration and respect.

Now where are the leaders who would match his commitment and determination? Build that ramp before September 2025 when Giovani needs to get to the labs.

Maybe we need a GoFundMe or an old fashion ‘March for the Ramp’.