AT THE start of Heritage Week, when we remember and salute our heroes, the nation honours some of the brightest and the best in the field of sport, exemplified by the 13 young men and women who brought glory to our nation at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
With their outstanding medal haul (two gold, one silver and two bronze) and their bright and winsome personalities, the team to Athens lifted the spirits of all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, and served to remind us that there is still much that is good and wholesome to celebrate, whatever the negatives which continue to afflict us.
Not to be forgotten are the Paralympians, the brave little band of four athletes, challenged, but not limited by disability. Their one bronze and one gold medal gained at the Special Olympic Games also held in Athens, is occasion for as much pride as the achievements of their physically-abled fellow citizens. It is good, therefore, that they are included in the official programme of welcome and recognition which is on this week-end.
Taken all together, these two groups of young persons symbolise the flame of hope which must never be allowed to die, the kind of inspiration which called our forefathers to remind us, as an independent nation, that "Hardships there are, but the sun shines."
In that spirit, we reflect, too, on the remarkable achievement of a young woman, born with Down's syndrome, who has been given the signal honour of the Musgrave Youth Award, presented by the Institute of Jamaica.
Roxanne Daley has been hailed not only for her creativity and courage in dance but for her indomitable spirit in the world of "the abled".
Thankfully, these days the move is away from negative attitudes towards persons with disability, ushering in a new era of consciousness where every effort is made to give them equal rights and facilitation of a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.
While much remains to be done in this regard in our country, progress has been made and must be recognised and celebrated. Worthy of commendation are the institutions which fulfill that mandate. Miss Daley is a product of the School of Hope. The Paralympians come from that noted "stable," the Sir John Golding Rehab Centre, a memorial to one of the great pioneers of the philosophy of "enabling the disabled."
Taken all together, these young people who are challenging the concept of disability are the beneficiaries of the spirit of caring not pity which is to be found in the dedicated institutions and the persons who work to empower those who formerly existed under the designation of 'handicapped'.
In the face of the aberrant and destructive behaviour of far too many of our able-bodied youth, it is appropriate to hold up as shining examples, the character and characteristics of the young people whom we hail today, champions every one. They too are our heroes.
