Football tackle changed Damarie’s life

Damarie Thomas was concentrating on utilising his skills to keep possession of the football when he felt a hard tackle from behind that hurled him to the ground. His world changed in an instant.

Damarie was 12 years old when he suffered that crushing blow. Although his injuries did not result in paralysis, they were extensive enough to drastically affect his movement. It was the last time he would play football.

Now 19, Damarie uses a wheelchair to travel distances. He proudly claims that he can now take five steps unaided. He calls them "mountain steps". There was a time when he could only take two steps.

Limited resources have curtailed his physiotherapy, but Damarie is hopeful that he will be able to resume soon.

Experiencing trauma such as this would have broken many an adult, but not this young man.

"It's not what happened, it's how you go back from it," he said philosophically.

After his injury, Damarie did well in his primary school exams and gained a placement at Jamaica College but he attended Cumberland High School, which is near his home in Greater Portmore.

Damarie is now enrolled in an Information Technology course at Abilities Foundation, proudly proclaiming his improving abilities in learning coding.

Under the guidance of executive director Susan Hamilton, the Abilities Foundation strives to empower persons with disabilities through skills training and is one of the partners in the RISE Life Enabling Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Project funded by the European Union. The multi-disciplinary training centre provides for Damarie an opportunity to chase new dreams.

It has been a long journey to get there even though Damarie speaks positively.

"I have no challenges, I have motivation," he said.

Like an old soul in a teenager's body, he spoke passionately about not allowing people's opinions to influence him negatively but there are times when you sense that it isn't always easy for him.

"I do not want them (society) to see me as a poor thing because I have a disability. We are all human beings. What happened to me could happen to you. So, with every breath that you take be grateful."

In fact, the ambitious teen is looking towards the future with optimism. He is adamant that he wants to start a business that can help to empower other persons with disabilities as he feels that entrepreneurship is an area that inner-city communities need additional support.

"I see myself making a change in the world, I want to start a foundation called UPRISE, to break down some of the barriers society has placed on them because of their address or their disability. They (people) see you in a wheelchair and they use that stigma to put you one side," Damarie said.

He is keeping his options open as far as a career is concerned, but readily admits his passion for law, motivational speaking, and real estate.

Damarie's optimism is intentional and infectious. He professes to be deliberate in surrounding himself with people who have a positive energy, like his friend Trishanna , whose free spirit he admires and his uncle who also has a disability.

"He is my role model," he said softly, "I never see that man down." In that moment you get a glimpse of his vulnerability. After all, he knows he still has to make his own way in the world, roadblocks and all.

You "cyaan tek it off and put it back on", he points out, referring to the permanence of most disabilities. And so, with his back straight in his chair and jaw set firmly he gave some word of advice.

"Accept persons with disabilities for who they are and put their skills to the test. Give them a chance to prove themselves ... to support themselves and their families. Vision 2030 of Jamaica being the place of choice to live will never be accomplished until we become one nation," the 19-year-old said.