Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School has had Mr. Randy Hodge as its guest speaker for Special Education Needs Week.
Wheelchair-bound, he was shot and injured by an attacker several years ago but, although a person with special needs, he has bounced back and is gainfully employed in the Anguilla Public Service.
He told the students: “Once ago I was up on my feet walking but now, as you can see, I am in a wheelchair. About six years ago, in the month of February, someone attacked me in The Valley where I was at an event standing outside with a friend. A car drove by and opened fire on us. I mean gunshots. Someone shot me. I was shot four times. One of the bullets entered my side and damaged my spinal cord and that’s why I am in the wheelchair.
“In spite of what happened to me, I am forging ahead. I drove myself here because I ordered a part I can hook up to the car that allows me to drive. I am thankful to God for everything He has given to me. I have a job. I work at the Public Library and some of you might know my face there.
“God is good. In spite of whatever you might go through, you have to allow God to use you. That is what I am doing – allowing God to use me. I gave Him my life. In the midst of my ordeal, when I was under attack, the only thing that I could do at that time was to call on Jesus’ name. I shouted out to Jesus and asked Him to keep me alive. By the grace of God, I don’t know if it was just that, or something else, but I am here and I am so happy to be here.
“I have an 11-year-old daughter, Rashanda Hodge. She is going to be entering high school in September. It is so nice to see young children going to school and being good kids. You all have to be good. Listen to your teachers and do the right things. Be model students to other students who might not be on that path. Show them that they can be as good as you are. Always give your best and God will do the rest. Put everything in His hands and He will guide you.”
Randy was loudly applauded by both students and teachers. The Principal of the school, Mrs. Joyce Webster-Stuart, who addressed the students, told them that, like Randy, they should endeavour to strive towards surmounting whatever challenges they might have.
She continued: “For just a moment, I want you to think how your life could have been different had you, in coming here, would have been unable to walk on your own; or, once you came here, you couldn’t hear or see. Although you may have had some challenges, you might have found a way to work around them just as Mr. Hodge did. He has challenges regarding his ability to walk but he has not let that limit his ability to be here. He found a way to come anyway because God is faithful – and if you are in need He will help you to figure out what you need to do to get yourself up and moving.”
The Principal addressed the students on the theme for Special Education Needs Week: “Our challenges do not limit our abilities.” The focus this year is: “We receive and it is time to give back.”
The students were also addressed by Deputy Principal, Mrs. Melsadis Fleming, who joined in encouraging them to work towards overcoming their challenges; and by Mrs. Katherine Brown, Head of the Special Education Needs Department.
