Postby TriP » November 8th, 2016, 9:58 pm
People of Trinidad and Tobago ~ Shamla Maharaj
Shamla Maharaj 30, has cerebral palsy. She has a degree in Agribusiness Management, a Masters in Marketing and Agribusiness and has just started her PhD.
“My father left school at 9 to labour in the cane fields so he could help support his family. When he and my mother had me they knew nothing about disabilities or cerebral palsy. 30 years ago in rural Trinidad, you never saw anyone with disabilities.
My parents gave me so much love and support and did the best thing they could have done- which was to treat me like anyone else. My father would always say “my daughter has to get an education”.
When I was 4, he started taking me to the Princess Elizabeth Special School in POS. He would leave me there and I would return home every 2 weekends. I would cry and it was hard on all of us.
I remember on one of those long journeys, a bus driver took my dad and I off because he said I couldn’t sit on my father’s lap but it was the only option because if I sat on a seat I would have fallen.
My thinking, my understanding, my thoughts, my mind , are just like anyone else’s. My disability is purely physical.
I don’t have control of my left hand and my legs. I think I can do anything because that’s how my family treats me.
My two younger brothers tease me, rough play, like they would any sister. When I was younger and instigated mischief, my mother would say “Shamla you’re the eldest, you should know better”
We are a developing country and people with disabilities have a long way to go to be understood, to be treated with dignity. The more we are out and integrated in everyday life, the more society will empathise and treat us as any other.
For example, when I transitioned to Secondary School at 14, children were curious and asked questions because it was the first time interacting with someone like me and that was good because they understood that I was just like them mentally. I made friends, did well at school.
People ask if I will go abroad to live but I have no wish to. I want to live work and have full independence in my own country. I want to be part of that change here for all people with disabilities.
Two years ago, my father finally retired when he turned 60. He had an aneurism without any warning and died suddenly. He didn’t get time to enjoy his retirement. He worked so hard for us. We miss him all the time and each day we would bring in conversations while going through our daily lives.
I work full time at Saudia Holdings Ltd in Barrackpore where I get full support from my boss and colleagues. I remember being asked if I was quitting work while I did my Doctorate. Really?
Then who would pay for my education? I have to be independent and support myself. Having a disability does not mean dependence.
Day by day, I am trying to become as financially and physically independent as I can because one day my mother won’t be here and I will have to take care of myself (even though my brothers do).
I don’t want to live on a disability grant.
Disability is all about the mind, and severity is determined by external forces. If people treat you like you have a disability, you act like you have one.
If they treat you normally, you act like you are normal…. that’s who I am.”
-
Attachments
-
