Miraculous - Roshane Foster defies the odds of his mental condition on road to achievement
Published:Saturday | February 15, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Tamara Bailey, Gleaner Writer
KNOCKPATRICK, Manchester:
THE DOCTORS said all hope was lost. His mother endured the unbearable news of having a child that would not be able to walk, talk, and lead a normal life.
But miraculously, 20-year-old Roshane Foster, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, sought to prove the medical practitioners wrong, moving from inactivity to full locomotion and from just being a regular, special-needs student to being enrolled at university.
Foster, the last of six children, missed early childhood education and began his formal education at age eight at Woodlawn School of Special Needs. At age 10, Foster's dream to leave his wheelchair became a reality, and he started walking.
After graduating from this institution, Foster's life gradually improved. His mother, Gennie Facey, wanted more for him and knew this could not be the end of her son's academic journey. It was here that she sought the tutelage and mentorship of youth advocate Keitho Nembhard, who, after meeting Foster and hearing his story, was only too happy to facilitate the dream of this young man.
"He was extraordinary, persistent, determined, and intellectually above par, and I was drawn to him. I first visited the Ministry of Youth and Culture to lobby on his behalf, but there was not enough provision made for people with special needs. I then took this up personally and liaised with a friend of mine, Mr Courtney Johnson, regional field officer at the National Youth Service, to have Roshane on the placement programme, an initiative which puts individuals in an environment for moral and professional development," Nembhard told Rural Xpress.
Foster was successfully placed at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in the Department of Behavioural Sciences. There, he worked and interacted with students, deans, and coordinators. When the programme ended, Nembhard was not pleased that Foster was now left to ponder what would happen next and so continually sought avenues for his growth.
The Rotaract Club, of which Nembhard was district governor, took on Foster and he became the only Rotaract member in the Caribbean with that level of special needs. Foster even inspired their theme 'Embracing Humanity ... Inspiring Hearts ... Changing Lives'.
Foster, who was not content with being stagnant, moved on to complete Level II in Business Administration at HEART Trust/NTA.
Gratitude and pride
With an unparalleled zeal to achieve the utmost, he was over the moon after having his request to study at NCU granted in November 2012. He is currently pursuing a special degree programme, tailored for him, in information technology.
With nothing but extreme gratitude and pride in her son's achievements, Facey said this has surpassed her dreams.
"I had a lot of challenges with Roshane. Being a single parent and having to leave my job to assist him was not easy. I cried for him and I fasted and prayed. Now, Roshane is walking and doing everything for himself. I have to thank God for Mr Nembhard for working with him. I could not dream of seeing Roshane at NCU, and I'm just overwhelmed with joy. I have a special love for him and I expect God to do more," said an emotional Facey.
A humble spirit, a heart of gold coupled with a cheerful presence and an infectious laughter are the reasons why so many are drawn to Foster.
"... He has come so far amid the odds. it's for this very reason former prime minister, Bruce Golding, at a Prime Minister's Youth awards, alluded to him as the epitome of triumph over adversity," said Nembhard.
"I hope to graduate from NCU and own my own business. in my situation, I don't really want to work for anybody. I want to also employ people who are physically challenged because I know it's hard for them to get a job because people look down on us, and I want to provide for my mother and have a family," said Foster.
Fosters's final words were to people in similar situations: "Never give up. It may look dark and as if nothing will happen, but something will happen one day."
PHOTOS BY TAMARA BAILEY