I am able: Cataract can’t stand in Jade Morgan’s way - Visually impaired man commits himself to teaching

It took just a few minutes to see how committed Jade Morgan is to his students at Kingston High School. Yesterday, when the news team visited the learning institution, the music teacher had just wrapped up one of his classes.

“We have children from very diverse background here, and although there are persons who may describe some of the students as being ‘bad’, I really don’t see it that way. My aim is to understand each individual, so this way I can know how to deal with them. I look forward to spending years here as this is a very grounding experience, “ he said.

The 24-year old teacher, who is visually impaired, was born in Frankfield, Clarendon. He shared his extra-ordinary story with THE WEEKEND STAR.

“I only spent a year at Frankfield Primary as I was later enrolled at the Salvation Army School for the Blind because of my visual issues. I suffer from cataract. That was where I stayed and got seven Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination subjects,” he said.

After leaving that institution, Morgan then attained a few Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination subjects at St Andrew Technical, before attending the HEART Trust NTA in Stony Hill, St Andrew.

“I did courses in Information Technology and when I completed that, I just went to The Mico University College, where I got a Bachelors in secondary education (music). When I graduated, I began working here shortly after,” he said.

NOT HAMPERED

Morgan said that his mother and five siblings suffer from cataract but says they do not allow their medical condition to put a damper on their lives.

“My condition is a bit worse than theirs, and some years ago, three of us went to Cuba to undergo surgery. The challenge that I am having is that I am not able to see some things that are (far) distances away. I have to make double or sometimes triple the effort to get some tasks done. I was never a victim of bullying growing up, and I am grateful for that. I was just taught to do my best at whatever I decided to do with my life,” he said.

Like the average 24-year-old, Morgan said he looks forward to starting a family but has a few more goals to accomplish first.

“I would want to have a family in the future, but I haven’t put much thought into it as yet though. In the near future, I want to pursue a Masters in talent management. There is a lot of talent at this school and I want to be able to help the kids manage their talent and achieve their goals,” he said.

Morgan is grateful that Kingston High has given him an opportunity to enrich the lives of students.

“I have a lot of appreciation for the principal as it is my understanding that persons who are physically challenged don’t gain employment easily. Mrs Andrea Gray-Dwyer has helped me to live my passion because teaching is exactly what I want to do,” he said.