Thursday, July 27 2006

PLEAS were made for parents to spend time with their children during a graduation ceremony at the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) held at San Fernando City Hall on Tuesday.

Debbie Dieffenthaller, programme manager at the NCPD, as well as guest speaker, Mikkel Trestrial, made the call as they said parents are responsible for ensuring their children reach their full potential.

Trestrial, who went blind at the age of 11, sat the CXC examinations in which he attained grade ones and he also did his GCE exams.

At Advanced Level, he excelled receiving two grade As and two grade Bs. Trestrial told the graduates that “success is not defined by money but true success is discovering who you are and being true to yourself.”

The 33 students wrote and passed National Examination Council evaluations in bookbinding, garment construction, horticulture/ agriculture, office practice and woodwork. The NCPD honoured their students who excelled in their field of study but top prizes went to Pauline Bovell and Keston Le Gendre who were both awarded the Joseph La Touche trophy for trainee of the year.

Despite their disabilities, the apprentices at the centre participated in various sporting activities and some have even been drafted into national teams for the Special Olympics.

Students Nicholas Mohammed and Krystal Huggins were presented with a challenge trophy which was donated by SM Khan. Mohammed and Huggins were recognised as the NCPD sports personalities of the year.

Valedictorian, Renese Jardine, said though they (disabled persons) have to face more obstacles than the average person, they keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel and that makes the journey worth it in the end.

She also thanked members of the public who lend their assistance to her on a day-to-day basis.

She was paralysed by a stray bullet during Carnival celebrations a few years ago and reminded the audience, that the disabled are also human and have emotions just the same.