Phillip Whittle
Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
PHILLIP WHITTLE was the fourth child born to Denville and Sonia Whittle on January 19, 1982. He appeared to be normal at birth but when he was six weeks old his intermittent crying became a concern, so he was taken to the doctor where he was diagnosed and treated for an ear infection.
Little did his family know that this would be a life-long experience.
They began to observe that he was not responding consistently to simulation. On his first birthday he was taken to one doctor who examined him, then referred him to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Her assessment revealed that there was no hearing in Phillip's left ear and only 25 per cent hearing in his right ear.
Mrs. Whittle said she felt as though she was crushed. She had been wounded and even recalling the incident brought tears to her eyes. She sought desperately for answers. It may have been German Measles or other illnesses she suffered during the early times of her pregnancy.
Phillip was referred to the Jamaica Association for the Deaf. Here he was tested and recommended for hearing aid, which was fitted on April 5, 1984. He cried when he wore the hearing aid but it was, "attributed to the new experience".
However, Phillip was taken to the doctor who saw him first. This doctor said his ear canal was blocked and surgically removed an "object", at the Princess Margaret Hospital. The hearing aid was in once more and there were no tears. The family felt at ease, but another problem was to develop.
Fluids flowed from an ear and further examination showed that a hole was in the eardrum. This time his visits to the doctors were almost weekly and stretched over a six-month period. At the end of session the hole was reduced to the size of a pinhead.
Education
At age four and a half Phillip was admitted to the residential facilities of the St. Christopher's School for the Deaf, in Brown's Town, St. Ann, and stayed there until he was 12 years old.
His mother made a journal of his progress and one of her entries read: "He seems to be doing well, he draws pictures of people, trees, eats chicken and he can use signs and gestures to say thank you. And he asks kindly for things to drink and he takes part in the Christmas programmes as well."
At age six he entered the National Equestrian trial at Chukka Cove (a therapeutic programme), and did well.
At age seven his prowess in the arts was evident as he entered an art and literacy competition and came away with top prizes a trophy and cash award for his age group.
Extremely stressful
At every possible holiday break, two or more family members would take turn to go for him but it proved extremely stressful because of the poor public transportation, which they said, resulted in an all-day experience. So he returned home only on major holidays.
Phillip was the last of four children to be in school, so when his brothers and sister started to prepare for school each new term, this was an indication to him that it would soon be time for him to leave.
Members of the family became acquainted with sign language but his sister was formally trained to communicate with him. His secondary phase of education was at the Lister Mair/Gilby High School for the Deaf where he was in residence for five years, and travelled alone for one and half year from St. Thomas to Gordon Town in St. Andrew.
His mother admitted that she was "extremely concerned for his safety" and would go after him when he left the house. But he would calmly stop her, she said.
Clara Ricketts, Principal for the Lister/Mair Gilby High School, told Outlook that Phillip is multi-challenged, has difficulties with the language and changes in mood, however, she said, he "is a lovely person".
He did Art in the Caribbean Examination Council and was successful.
He is now a student at the Edna School for the Visual and Performing Arts in the School of Arts section. This is a dream come true for him. His mother said when he would drive pass the college prior to his acceptance, he would sign to her that he would go there. His former teacher, Ms. Tamara Edwards, helped him with his interviews by signing for him. However, he and his family now face the challenge of autism, the definition for which is: A mental condition characterised by great difficulty in communicating with others and in using language and abstract concepts.
Although he is the fourth hearing impaired student who has been admitted to the college, none has had autism so this is a new challenge even for the college, sources there say. But Karen Siyanbola has come to the rescue and has been able to give his lecturers insight of his autism, so they can understand his situation and make adjustments to his course after consultation with his mother. Mrs. Siyanbola said that, "there seems to be a number of students who have autism but (that) is taken as deviant behaviour."
Despite this problem, however, he does excellent landscape drawing, oil painting and figure painting.
Rozi Chung, his tutor said, "he is extremely talented and in one exhibition he was given good reviews".
Hope Wheeler, another tutor, said: "The nature of the art seems to heal without your knowing...and he loves it here." She went on to say that certain facilities are needed for effective learning and it is the Ministry of Education that has to put them in place.
A letter outlining Phillip's case was sent to the Ministry of Education.
Phillip has developed his skills in the arts, has a strong sense of independence, and knows what he is about because of the strong support of his siblings, parents and the educational communities.
