Kevin Powell continues to strive despite his disability

It's hard to have a conversation with the Director of Student Affairs of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), Kevin Powell, and keep a straight face.

The 36-year-old will have one doubling over with laughter at even the most serious of matters.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited Powell yesterday, he was preparing for a meeting but broke away for a few minutes to speak with the news team.

Powell was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition that describes congenital joint contracture (shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue) in two or more areas of the body.

"I had done a series of surgeries on my legs and hips until I was about age 11 because I was born with my legs folded and inverted," he said.

However, he did not let his disability determine his future and is currently pursuing his master's at the UCC, while lecturing and supervising a set of staff and students.

Powell attended the Hope Valley Experimental School in Papine, St Andrew. He later earned a spot at Calabar High School before attending the University of the West Indies.

Supportive environment

"I used a wheelchair for most of high school. I enjoyed Calabar and never once faced any form of bullying or discrimination. It was a very supportive environment and my friends used to fight to push me around in my wheelchair. There were days when I would sit around a regular desk and they would use it to run around with or play go kart or any other game with. Mi use to get a lot of beatings from my parents for allowing my friends to have my chair playing around with. The sixth form was upstairs so during that time, I had to ditch the wheelchair for crutches," he said laughing.

Despite being treated kindly and striving academically, Powell said at a point he suffered from self-esteem issues and would often question why he was born different.

"Everybody had their girlfriend a par with but I didn't have any girl. It got a bit easier when I became a Christian and that helped me to realise that I am wonderfully made and that my life had a purpose," he said.

Attending university proved to be a major challenge, however.

"I always tell people that I didn't know I was disabled until I entered university. It was a big challenge because the campus is very big and I was not able to move like anyone else. I was on crutches and while I never struggled with academics or finances, I had problems moving from class to class. Sometimes it would take me more than an hour and by the time I got to classes, I would be soaked with perspiration," he said.

He recalled a particular Friday evening at a bus stop.

"It didn't have any shed to protect from the rain. I remember just sitting there being drenched in the rain because the nearest shelter was far away. There was no point in moving and I remember crying for a while but those feelings were short-lived. I lived on Taylor Hall during my last year at university and the experience was really good," Powell added.

A member of the Grace Worship Ministries Church, Powell is often seen and heard giving his testimonies and blessing the congregation through soulful songs.

He blushes when he speaks about his marriage and family. The father of two daughters recently celebrated his 10th anniversary with his wife, Marsha.

"Bwoy, mi little girl dem spoil bad because me pet dem up. But even the act of marriage was a spectacle for a lot of persons. There were persons in the church who tried to discourage her from getting married to me. There were persons who came to the wedding uninvited who wanted to see the proceedings and if I could walk my wife down the aisle. They even thought that I could not get her pregnant, but two months after marriage she was with child. Then came another baby and we proved the naysayers wrong," he said sporting a wide smile.