Simmy on the Spectrum
That’s the gap we’re missing: Music, art, sport – these are the areas many children with ADHD excel in. In the school system, there's little room for children to explore these areas properly.
Breaking down barriers by example
The newer social model for persons with disabilities supports full inclusion. I want to be able to break down barriers.
Growing into the challenge of Prader-Willi syndrome
Lee-Ann has been to physiotherapy, developmental specialists, speech therapy and the latest (briefly) occupational therapy. All of this was done out of pocket as the waiting list back in 2009 at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex was long.
The Ancestors had a saying…
For two months my OBGYN knew I had a dead foetus in my womb, yet saw it fit for me to go to the facility every day for those two months to retrieve specimens of blood.
Adjusting to new challenges
"Will my children grow into self-sustaining, independent, productive and beautiful humans?" - Lyra Thompson-Hollingsworth.
“You have to make it happen.” The challenge of child assessment
"Homework became an epic battle, filled with tears and screaming. I kept thinking in the back of my mind, this shouldn’t be so hard."
Our children are angels
Above: Nahlini Maharaj and her son Joseph photographed in Santa Cruz. Makeup by Shenelle [...]
A New Normal
"As I reflect on his life, I cherish the memories of watching him grow from baby through puberty and into the handsome young man he has become."
Love is her Superpower
Every time I deploy my Kevlar it changes me, gnawing away at my humanity. I’ve become hardened somewhat, with very little tolerance for those who choose to discriminate against my son.
A system for managing hearing loss
Born Hard of Hearing and with a capability to excel, I have faced bullying, discrimination and limitations placed on me because I wore hearing aids and have a speech impediment.
Crystal’s Method
Take the time to ask a question or simply just listen without judging. A lot of people that I meet, often tell me they feel sorry for me, honestly, there is no need to feel sorry for me.
My pragmatic approach to seizures
"I started The Seizure Support Network in 2017 as a safe space for other survivors. Having lived it, I know firsthand the challenges they continue to face; among them are barriers to education and employment."
Learning and working with the misunderstandings of autism
The state needs to work on developing legislative and other supports that are more Autism friendly in our schools and to help with transitioning young adults with Autism into work opportunities.
We want to work
We want to work, we want a better future. We are not satisfied with this grant and we want opportunities to be sufficiently financially independent.
Finding my voice
"I hold a deep concern for the mental health of our children and adolescents. They are a large fraction of our society that are voiceless and therefore most vulnerable."
Understanding my autism
"I’m pretty good at making eye contact because when I’m speaking to someone there’s a whole side conversation in my head about how long I should look at the person, when I should look away..."
A chance to work
By the time I was 21, I became restless and bored with being around only toddlers every day. I knew that there was more that I could do.
The Fight to Learn
Above: Salome Shammai Jordan photographed at the Student Life and Development Department,UWI. Photography by [...]
Easing the struggle
Lillon Ryan-Dick, photographed at the Association of Lillon Ryan-Dick photographed at her therapy space [...]
To help, at home in her heart
Rynelle Boyce photographed at her therapy space at the Academy of Special Needs in [...]
Therapy in a place of bliss
Karen Stollmeyer-Matthews with a therapy animal at Horses Helping Humans on the North Coast [...]
A desire to deliver service
Hannah McSween photographed at her Petit Valley home. Makeup by Shenelle Escayg, photograph by [...]
Appreciate the smallest gains
Jeanne Sabga-Aboud photographed in the children's play area of Pizza Boys, Glencoe. Photograph by [...]
No fairy dust here…
Donella Rodriguez Laird photographed at her Woodbrook office. Make-up by Shenelle Escayg, photography by [...]
Caregiver to special needs children
Carey Phillips, photographed at her Woodbrook office. Makeup artist Shenelle Escayg, photography by Mark [...]
Standing tall for Special Olympics
Candilla Berment-Harper photographed at the St James offices of the Special Olympics Committee. Make-up [...]
Learning from her students
Aliya Drakes photographed at Opal Kids in St Anns. Makeup by Shenelle Escayg, photograph [...]
Working with families in Autism therapy
Sirlon George photographed at The Speech and Language Holistic Therapy Service in San Fernando. [...]
From Photoshop to special needs
Meghan Waterman photographed on the trampoline at The Academy for Special Needs in Maraval. [...]
Managing bi-polar disorder
Nicole Cowie in her family library at her Tunapuna home. Makeup by Shenelle Escayg, [...]
Fighting for change and a chance at equality
Michelle Mendoza Pierre photographed at her home in Paramin. Makeup by Shenelle Escayg, photography [...]
Finding joy along this Journey
Sara Stephens photographed at the St James office of Therapy Works. Makeup by Shenelle [...]
Be of caring service
Lesley Garcia, photographed in the training room for Occupational Therapy specialists at the University [...]
“He’s going to be a doctor!”
Michelle Foreman photographed at the Yoga Centre, Woodbrook Community Centre. Makeup by Shenelle Escayg, [...]
Adapting and advancing
Shamla Maharaj photographed at the Faculty of Agriculture, Frank Stockdale Building, UWI, St Augustine. [...]
At war with the perception of disability
Tracy Hutchinson Wallace photographed at her Habitat for Humanity office in El Socorro. Makeup [...]
Double the challenge, doubly special
Jacqueline Scott-O'Brien photographed at her home in Four Roads, Diego Martin. Make-up by Shenelle [...]
45 years of service on Calvary Hill
Margaret Adams Roberts photographed in a classroom of the Servol Special School, Calvary Hill, [...]
A Mother’s Story: Cerebral Palsy would not hold her back
Chandra Maharaj photographed in waiting area of the Faculty of Agriculture at the Frank [...]
We will do anything for our children
Sofia Figueroa-Leon in the ball pit at the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization's [...]
The challenges of Cerebral Palsy
Crystal Jones in her office at the Cerebral Palsy Association's El Soccorro Headquarters. Make-up [...]
25 Years Later: Still Holding on at Immortelle…
Jacqui Leotaud photographed in The Sensory Room of Immortelle House in St Anns. Make-up [...]
Gutsy, Generous, Gracious
Laura Pierre-Escayg with her children Isaiah, Phoenix and Roxy. Photograph by Mark Lyndersay, make-up [...]