I WANT NOTHING

Hurting from claims that she is seeking financial rewards on the back of her son’s heroics Shepherd- Stewart yesterday visited the South Bureau offices of Newsday saying she wanted to clear the air on the issue. She admitted that the past few days were bitter-sweet for her in that between her joy at her son’s accomplishments, Shepherd- Stewart has had to live with stares and whispers behind her back as talk spread that she was seeking enrichment from her son’s fame.

Akeem Stewart captured gold in the Men’s Javelin final at the Paralympics and breaking the world record - which he set - in the process. Later at the games, he won a silver medal in the Men’s Discus finals. Speaking with Newsday yesterday, the Los Bajos woman said she is hurting because since her son’s achievements she is being accused by certain persons of wanting to cash in on his Paralympic success.

“And that’s not true because I want nothing. I am not looking for anything from Akeem,” said Shepherd- Stewart who is a community activist. “It real hurt me when I heard what is being said about me.

Like everyone else in the country, I am very happy with his achievements because I know what he has been through.” Shepherd-Stewart said although Akeem grew up with his father in Tobago, she was always part of his life. “He will always be my son.” Akeem was born at the San Fernando General Hospital and lived with his parents and siblings in Los Bajos which is located on the outskirts of Siparia.

Shepherd-Stewart said that not too long after Akeem was born, her marriage ended and following numerous court battles, at the age of two, he (Akeem) and older siblings Ashley and Akeel moved to Tobago to live with their father Wayne, a soldier, who would later become Akeem’s coach.

Shepherd-Stewart recalled the many times she journeyed to Tobago “just to see them (her children) while they were growing up. “It hurt me last week when on a callin radio programme I heard someone say I was never in Akeem’s life, but I am okay now because God knows the truth.” The hurting mother scrolled through pictures which she said Akeem had sent to her on her mobile phone whenever he was abroad competing.

“I never gave up on my three children who lived in Tobago,” she insisted. Shepherd-Stewart claimed she was the one who signed for him to sit his Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations.

Whenever Akeem came to Trinidad to compete, she said, he would always contact her. However, Shepherd- Stewart admitted she never attended any of his meets in an effort to, “avoid confrontation.” “People in Los Bajos are proud of Akeem because is there he born, right in a Baptist Church in the village he got baptized and everyone knew him as a child before he went to live in Tobago.” Shepherd-Stewart told Newsday she celebrated her son’s success just like the rest of the country. “It was a good feeling and I wish him all the best in the future.