Daphne Williams, born without a left arm and with a hunchback writes in her notebook. She sews, washes, cooks and otherwise take care of her parents who are visually impaired. - Contributed
DRIVEN BY love and devotion, physically challenged Daphne Williams of Smithville in North Clarendon has been able to cope with her own condition and care for her parents who are visually impaired.
Born 30 years ago without a left hand, only a thumb on her right and a hunch back, Daphne has overcome her circumstances to be able to sew, wash, write, clean house, cook her favourite meals and do vending at the Smithville Primary School.
Daphne who lives with her parents, Colin and Veta Williams, says "it is a joy to take care of my parents". She feeds them, guides them to places they need to go and provides whatever financial assistance she can afford.
Mrs. Williams says Daphne showed signs of resilience and courage even as a child by going around and meeting people by herself.
Daphne says that she began to learn basic household skills at the age of 10, noting that many times, neither her parents nor her six brothers and sisters were around to help.
She attended the Smithville Primary School where she "learned to climb fruit trees, throw stones and pinch my friends".
"I don't consider myself disabled at all. I am usually physically fit, and I sleep well at nights," she declares.
Daphne says she received assistance from the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, under its Rehabilitation Grant Programme, to start vending at her old school.
She travels to the town of May Pen about 40 kilometres (25 miles) every Friday to purchase snacks and sweets to sell at the school.
Happy to be
self-employed
Although returns from sales are marginal, Daphne says she is happy to be self-employed and is currently seeking opportunities to increase her income. Daphne also finds time to be involved in a community club which caters primarily to young children with problems.
The group meets regularly to discuss emotional and other needs, to read stories, to conduct Bible study, and to socialise.
Daphne says there were frustrating periods in her life, particularly during the time her parents fell ill, but "I am a firm believer in God who has sustained me". She sings with a youth group in her community, and takes an active part in the Smithville Mount Olivett Baptist Church.
Daphne says she longs to become a member of a group of young people who are also physically impaired, so as to instil hope in them, as well as to pass on her domestic skills.
Help from Council
Programmes Officer at the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Valerie Spence, says the Council was established by the Government in 1973 under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to assist persons such as Daphne as well as to sensitise Jamaicans on issues of disability.
Miss Spence points out that at least 10 per cent of the population is classified as disabled.
The Programme Officer notes that there are three workshop centres located in Kingston, Clarendon and Hanover which focus on training and employment of disabled persons and also sell items produced by them.
Miss Spence also mentions training in computer skills which was introduced recently by Abilities Foundation, another agency set up by the Government to help the physically challenged.
She points out that the rehabilitation grant is given to persons who, because of severe disability, are neither trainable nor employable. These persons are given between $1,000 and $5,000 to establish their own small businesses.
Miss Spence says there are also income tax exemptions for persons registered with the Council, and that five per cent of the houses in new schemes are allotted to the physically challenged.
She adds that they are given assistance with prescriptions and identification cards for travelling on public transportation in Kingston and surrounding areas.
