Special Education Week ends Friday, March 13, after a series of activities which brought together the Special Education Needs children from the various public schools in Anguilla. The week has as its theme “Our Challenges Do Not Limit Our Abilities”.
The largest gathering for the occasion was at Campus B where both the special needs children, and the regular class students, attended a mass assembly. The event was organised by Mrs Katherine Webster-Brown, Head of the Special Needs Department spanning both Campuses A and B.
The guest speaker was Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster, Mrs Webster-Brown’s brother; and the guest soloist – their brother – Evan Webster.
In giving examples of various international personalities who once experienced difficulties in their early lives, but eventually climbed the ladder of success to their highest potential, Dr Webster told the special needs children:
“These are the four words I want you to remember always: enthusiasm, confidence, preparation and persistence,” he advised the children. “You can succeed at almost anything for which you have limitless enthusiasm. So if you want to be a doctor, you can become one. If you are enthused about it, and what you think about when you go to bed, you will become that, no matter what the challenge. You can succeed at anything for which you have limitless enthusiasm.”
Dr Webster went on: “I want all of you to remember this: when God made you on purpose, for a purpose, He made you in His own special way and God smiled on his creation. So no matter what disability you may have, or what challenge or obstacle you may have, these are just stepping stones for you to achieve your greatest potential…Your challenges should not limit your abilities.
“Don’t feel sorry for yourself; do not be discouraged by others or by your own sense of being different – and don’t feel incapable. Abandon yourself to destiny and take charge of your life.”
Dr Webster, who advised the children to take advantage of all the services available to them, went on: “Nothing says it will be easy; but you will find real satisfaction and happiness, though, when you conquer your obstacles; overcome your challenges; achieve your goals and fulfil your purpose.”
He added: “Never let your challenges become an alibi. The sky is your limit and you can reach it. There is no finish line; you keep going and going until you reach the top. If you dream it, you can do it. So make your challenges your opportunities, not your disabilities.”
