Imagine yourself for a moment, waiting for the bus to arrive. It's a regular day, filled with the harmonious noise of Kingston, Jamaica. As the bus finally comes into view, the line of patrons comes into focus, and among them is Therese, sitting in her wheelchair. The crowd is a diverse mix, but one figure stands out—a woman whose inexplicable resentment towards Therese is palpable.
This confrontational stranger berates Therese publicly, questioning the legitimacy of her reduced fare. With an air of superiority, she proclaims to the entire bus that Therese pays the same fare as children and couldn't possibly be a teacher. The atmosphere grows tense, and the bus falls into an uncomfortable silence.
However, the silence is broken by a single, powerful response from the confident woman with the wheelchair beside her: "You're behaving as if (a) disability is something you go to the store and you buy and then you realize you can't take it off, so you're stuck with it."
Shifting the scene to the elegant ambience of the Pegasus Hotel, you hear a security officer's words cutting through the air as he addresses a blind man, dressed for an event: "You know where you are? We don't allow begging on this property."
The blind man, inherently assertive, reacts strongly, igniting a scene that ripples through the atmosphere of the Pegasus. Staff members rush to mediate, offering apologies and reassurances that this was not their intended course of action.
In these two scenarios, a common theme emerges of the challenges and adversities faced by people with disabilities. But amidst it all, certain individuals rise above, inspiring us with their resilience and challenging our preconceived notions of what it means to live with physical disabilities.
These exceptional individuals include Daemion McLean, who is visually impaired, and Therese Braham, who battles cerebral palsy, a group of disorders affecting balance and posture.
The Jamaican Population Census defines disability as “any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or the range considered normal for a human being.” Both Daemion and Therese fit the category of physical disabilities.
Daemion's journey unfolds against the backdrop of a close-knit McLean family that never treated him any differently due to his visual impairment. His life took a significant turn when he moved to Kingston at the age of six to attend the Salvation Army School for the Blind (TSA School for the Blind), an institution catering to blind and visually impaired children, including those facing additional challenges.
Today, Daemion is a UWI graduate and serves as the Chair of the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB). The JSB offers advocacy, support for adapting to blindness, eye care, and social services to the blind and visually impaired population.
Daemion's unwavering passion lies in making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities, particularly those who share his visual impairment. His driving force is the belief that he has an obligation to provide opportunities for others based on the opportunities he has received.
He explains, "Based on the opportunities that I've gotten as a blind person in my life to improve myself, I think it's an obligation really to try and present others with opportunities that they can do for themselves, you know, and do even better than what I am able to do." This philosophy fuels Daemion's work and advocacy, propelling him to make a significant impact in his community.
The Abilities Foundation, an educational institution, plays a pivotal role in the lives of individuals with disabilities, including those like Therese, who has cerebral palsy. Not only is Therese a former student of the Abilities Foundation, but she also serves as an instructor for Data Operations.
Advocacy organizations like the JSB, TSA School for the Blind, and Abilities Foundation stand as champions for the rights of individuals with disabilities. They play a crucial role in advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities, addressing the historical stigma surrounding disabilities and raising awareness about the rights of individuals with disabilities.
According to the World Bank, approximately 200,000 Jamaicans live with a disability and fewer than one per cent were employed in 2018. To address these challenges, Jamaica has taken steps to combat the stigma around disabilities.
In 2014, Jamaica enacted the Disability Act to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and it became effective on February 14, 2022.
Jamaica is one of six countries in the Caribbean region with specific legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities.
The Act promotes equal rights, prohibits discrimination, and addresses rights to education, employment, healthcare, and access to public passenger vehicles.
Therese acknowledges the progress in recent years regarding the rights of persons with disabilities in Jamaica. She comments, "I first must say we must give thanks because we have actually moved into not just having a policy but having a law that has a little more tooth looking out for the rights of persons with disabilities."
Although the legal framework is not without its challenges, it represents significant progress in the fight for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
In Daemion's perspective, government support in Jamaica is essential but not as proactive as it could be. He notes that most government actions result from advocacy by individuals and organizations representing people with disabilities.
While he acknowledges the progress made, he believes that real advocacy is essential to drive meaningful change for individuals with disabilities.
Therese also agrees as she noted that there are individuals who remain unaware of their presence and their capacity to make valuable contributions.
She believes that as people with disabilities, it falls upon them to actively demonstrate through their actions and achievements.
Therese also emphasizes the critical issue of accessibility, urging architects and builders to adhere to building codes that prioritize accessibility for everyone.
She highlights that ramps and other accessibility features benefit not only persons with disabilities but also parents with strollers and individuals with temporary impairments. These considerations are pivotal in creating a truly inclusive society.
For Daemion, life is a constant process of decision-making and recalibration. As a visually impaired person, he must consider every aspect of his daily life carefully, from seeking assistance at an ATM to navigating unfamiliar spaces.
Despite the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) offering reduced fares and special provisions for persons with disabilities, these services are limited and have restricted operating hours. This highlights an infrastructure gap in public transportation and building plans that affects accessibility.
Reflecting on his journey, Daemion recognizes individuals who have inspired him with their achievements. Figures like Deacon Arthur Taylor, Arville Grant (President of the Caribbean Council for the Blind), Gloria Gough (Director of Combined Disabilities Association), Lola Morrison, and Barbara McCoy (social workers), among others.
Whether in leadership roles, social work, or other areas, these individuals have demonstrated the power of determination and hard work for Daemion.
Therese draws inspiration from a network of mentors and trainees who have triumphed over their own obstacles.
She highlights individuals with disabilities who have excelled in various fields, such as Gloria Gough (Director at the Combined Disabilities Association), Vivian Blake (from the Ministry of Education), former managing director for the Abilities Foundation, Wilbert Williams, among others.
Her trainees, in particular, serve as a source of motivation, reinforcing her belief in the potential of every individual with a disability.
The stories of Therese Braham and Daemion McLean shine a light on their remarkable journeys of resilience, determination, and success. These stories underscore the challenges that individuals with disabilities face daily, from transportation obstacles to societal prejudices.
They serve as poignant reminders of the importance of inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure, and the elimination of biases, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to society.
DD