“There is ability in disability,” is the favorite quote of 20-year-old teacher and international relations student Melieka Crawford; as someone who is visually impaired but embraces life fully, this quote is embedded in her everyday life.
Despite her disability, this bright and motivated young woman — who is proudly a teacher at the St Pius Primary School while she also studies at the University of Guyana — does not go about setting boundaries or limiting herself.
Her challenges first began at the tender age of six; at an age when many children are exploring the wonders of life, Crawford was diagnosed with congenital cataracts. Congenital cataracts is the clouding of the lens of the eye that is present at birth. The lenses of the eye are normally clear. The lens focuses light that comes into the eye onto the retina.
Crawford explained that her school experiences at East La Penitence Primary and St Roses High School were not the easiest. She said she was bullied throughout her school life due to her disability.
“I was unable to see on the board and I was unable to take part in activities that the other children were able to do,” the teacher said. She said she eventually overcame the bullying since her family always showered her with praises and encouragement.
She added, “Growing up, my family encouraged me to not listen to what people have to say and from there on I found myself and I know what I’m capable of.”
Years of bullying did not stop this determined young woman who said she is hungry for success and has a strong willingness to help others. It was this determination and a love for children that led her to the teaching profession.
She confessed, “I love children! They motivate me to always keep smiling.” Crawford particularly enjoys working with differently-abled children because it brings her so much joy.
Meanwhile, she said her biggest support system thus far has been the persons from the Guyana Society for the Blind.
“From the first day I went there, the persons have always motivated me and I was taught to not care what people have to say but to move forward and do what’s best for me.”
Her advice for persons living with disabilities is, “There are persons who are always going to say you can’t and you won’t achieve your goals but you should not ever limit yourself to someone else’s words; you’re who you are. Once you believe in yourself and you have faith and potential in yourself nothing else matters.”
She further stressed, “There is ability in disability. Not because you see someone with a cane or someone in a wheelchair you have to be scorn of them. We [persons with disabilities] deserve equal rights just like everyone else. At the end of the day we are all human beings and we have feelings. We all deserve to be treated equally. Do not even go around thinking that someone with a disability is scornful.”
Crawford hopes to one day become an advocate for other persons living with disabilities. But for now, she continues to be a teacher and a role model to differently-abled persons. When Crawford is not teaching, she enjoys dancing, singing and playing blind cricket with members of the Guyana Society for the Blind.
In the future, Crawford has no intentions of slowing down or allowing her disability to hinder her. Despite her difficulties, she remains thankful for all that she has.
It’s funny how people think we are superhuman because we have a disability but I don’t look at myself as different; rather I view myself as privileged for all the opportunities I would have gotten and all I’ve accomplished. What I need persons in society to understand is that regardless of what type of disability we have, we all have ability within that disability. We will not allow anybody to change that. I don’t limit myself because I strive for the sky and I strive for great things.”
