Achievement Through Perseverance!

[Liesel James]

 Women of the Year 2012 Down Syndrome Sheri Brynard visited LSEN School, Marine Primary School and Noordhaven Montissori school in August 2012.

 

She gave a moving speech about her challenges and struggles in trying to fit into society.   She faced failure on numerous occasions but never gave up until she achieved her goals of qualifying as an assistant teacher.  The content of her motivational talk evoked many different emotions in the adults and learners.  Her struggle for acceptance struck a chord with the LSEN learners as they too struggle daily to be accepted by society.  The learners in the senior class were inspired by Sheri, who said that despite the report from the doctors that she would not live long; she went on to have many achievements. “I felt good and inspired that despite the disability, you are able to achieve goals” was mentioned by one LSEN School learner.

Liesel James founder of Creating Change met Sheri during the Shoprite Women of the Year 2012 nominations. Liesel who was a finalist also facilitates the Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots Role Model programme at Marine Primary School. She invited Sheri to the Peninsula to give hope and inspire and motivate children to be the best that they can be. “There is no excuse for anyone who is able to reach their full potential. Sheri is a messenger of light and she is here to teach all of us, not just the disabled,” says Liesel James.

Safiya James a 7 yr old from Noordhaven Montissori told her granny afterward that “I felt tears in my eyes and did you know, the women of the year said we must just do our best and not compare ourselves with anyone else.”

Creating Change, The Ocean View School for LSEN, Association for Disable People, Marine Primary and Noordhaven Montissori all would like to thank Sheri Brynard for addressing their learners on meeting the challenges of a person living with Down Syndrome.

Sheri told all present:  ‘I now know that my life has meaning in spite of the fact that I have Down syndrome.  I will thank the Lord that he made me JUST the way he did.” 

 

Sheri 30 years old is based in Bloemfontein and visiting Cape Town to open the International Down Syndrome Conference at the CTCC.

End

1 September 2012