Physically challenged boy gets help to realise dream

Horace Fisher, Gleaner Writer

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAVID Saunders will not forget Christmas 2011. He became a police for a day at May Pen Police Station and wore a pair of shoes for the first time in his life.

David, who was born minus feet, three fingers on his right hand, and with his left hand fingerless, was highlighted by The Gleaner recently. He told our news team that he wants to become a policeman when he gets older.

James and Friends Education Programme (JFEP), led by Otis James, saw the story and decided to make David's dream come true. Arrangements were made for him to be a senior superintendent of police for a day at May Pen Police Station.

Commander of the Clarendon Police Division, SSP Dayton Henry heaped praises on the JFEP and described the education foundation as a medium for nation building.

"This is how we should build this country, by assisting the less fortunate among us. Today is a very busy day for me, but even if the day must exceed its 24-hour cycle, I will still have to find the time to accommodate SSP Saunders (David) and his sponsors today," stated a gracious host, SSP Henry.

"I am happy that the media is covering SSP Saunders' visit so that other people will see what Otis James is doing and will come on-board to support such an exemplary organisation. I think today was time well spent," added SSP Henry.

Meanwhile, businessman Garth Young showered David with a number of gifts, including a guitar and an undertaking to fit him with prosthetics. St Catherine medical doctor Clement Williams also signed a memorandum of understanding with JFEP to underwrite David's school-related expenses for the rest of his primary and secondary school years.

"The South African Blade Runner (Oscar Pistorious) represented his country in the Olympics, so why not David? He too can excel in his chosen field, but he needs the right people around to help him actualise his dreams. So I have made a commitment to stick by him as he progresses," said Young.

Williams, who journeyed from Portmore to see David, confessed to The Gleaner that he was quite surprised by the youngster's desire to be a crime fighter, notwithstanding, his physical challenges.

"I am really amazed at young David and it is a pleasure for me to play a part in his development, and I have a lot of admiration for Otis James for enlisting David in his education foundation," said Dr Williams.

An elated Pamella Kindal, David's mother, thanked SSP Henry, James, Young and Dr Williams for assisting her son.

"I am so grateful for all the assistance that I am now getting for David. It has been extremely difficult financially for me, but now I am sure that this will be David's best Christmas. So thank you all very much for everything," said Kindal, who recently lost her job.

rural@gleanerjm.com