Triumph without arms

OVERCOMING formidable challenges can speak volumes for the greatness of the human spirit. We could hardly think of a more remarkable and inspiring example of this kind of courage than Felicity teenager Veera Bhajan who, although born without arms, has emerged as one of the brightest and most promising students of the prestigious St Augustine Girls High School. Recently, the smiling 16-year-old got the good news that she had obtained seven passes in this year’s CXC ‘O’ Level Examinations. Veera earned distinctions in five subjects, maths, English language, English literature, physics and accounts. She also gained a grade ‘A’ in economics and a grade two in Spanish.

The genial SAGHS achiever has, in fact, performed far better than many of this year’s CXC ‘O’ Level students, several of whom have gained neither a distinction nor a full certificate. Indeed, while Veera was determined to succeed in spite of her severe handicap, many other students, not having to cope with any physical disability, have simply dropped out of school. The story of this teenager’s success and the strength of character behind it is, in our view, truly exceptional. Although without arms, she has not been granted any special treatment at SAGHS nor did she seek any, except with respect to her desk which had to be altered so it was placed below the level of her chair, enabling her to write with her left foot. And instead of bewailing her congenital handicap, Veera exhibits a liveliness of spirit and a determination to excel, achieve and realise her dreams that make her a role model for many another SAGHS student and youngster at Felicity where she lives.

During her examinations the only concession granted her by the Supervisor was an additional ten minutes in which to complete each subject. Her father has seen her remarkable results in the CXC Examinations as “just the tip of the iceberg,” adding that she had opened the doors to a bright future. Veera, who celebrates her 16th birthday on Tuesday, sees her next step as sitting the Advanced Level examinations or their equivalent, and then on to studies for a career in Law. The youngster, who had adopted a positive approach to life from early, did not want anyone to see her as being different. She found the answer in setting a vision for herself and working hard to attain it. “Once you place your belief in God,” she told Newsday reporter, Althea Pascall-Nicholas, last Thursday shortly after the CXC results were out, “look at all your obstacles as challenges and work toward overcoming them, you would be okay and success would be your end result.” It is advice that many a youngster and even many of the not so young who feel sorry for themselves the moment things do not go their way should follow, rather than end up victims of the dependency syndrome.