Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

Family man Courtney White and his wife Hannah-Kay spend some quality time with daughters Courtney-Ann (second left) and Courtney-Kay.

When Courtney White's wife Hannah-Kay was pregnant with her fifth child, his prayers of having a daughter were answered. But Courtney's dream later turned into a nightmare when one-year-old Courtney-Ann was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

While Hannah-Kay tried to be strong, it was Courtney who shed the tears. He was heart-broken, devastated.

"I broke down in tears ... because is my first daughter and I was touched (by the news) knowing that they said she has a slight brain damage ... I couldn't eat or anything," he recalled.

Cerebral palsy is one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination.

Hospital to blame?

In Courtney-Ann's case, no one knows for sure what happened to her, but her parents blame procedural irregularities at the hospital moments before their daughter was delivered.

Hannah-Kay said, "The doctor buss mi head water (with a pair of scissors) ... and mi always buss mi own head water." She said the doctor was very rough and impolite as he worked away with the sharp scissors. It all seems strange because after Courtney-Ann, another child, Courtney-Kay, was born, and like Hannah-Kay's first four children, she is a normal child.

Courtney-Ann, now three, has serious mobility challenges and does not talk, leaving her parents with their hands literally full.

Both parents play their part in Courtney-Ann's development, but it is her father who is the beacon, staying up late at night with her, being super patient in trying times, every step of the way. When Hannah-Kay comes under stress, Courtney is there to support her.

For a while Courtney-Ann's disabilities might have torn some parents apart, they have in fact stabilised the once rocky relationship between Courtney and Hannah-Kay. Courtney, who once stayed out late, is now acquiring the colour of the walls in his house because he's at home most times now; home because he loves her dearly; home because she needs him completely. Gone are the once-frequent domestic squabbles, as the couple unites for Courtney-Ann's sake.

Around his daughter, Courtney is very alert. Even the way in which Hannah-Kay treats Courtney-Ann is closely scrutinised.

"Him watch mi wid har, you can imagine with the helper ... him come a de window every minute and peep. If him inna him sleep and him hear she scream out, him jump up and come out deh peep," Hannah said.

Because of Courtney-Ann's mobility challenges, her father has to be constantly bending his huge frame over to assist her. This has resulted in some serious back aches, a small price to pay for the most precious thing in his life.

And Hannah-Kay has nothing but praises for her husband. In looking into her husband's teary eyes, she said, "Him a the best father mi ever see. The best father in Jamaica. Anything my baby want, him is there for her ... if him in him sleep and mi say sugar, sugar reach ..."

But why does he bother, when some other men would simply throw up their hands and leave town?

"I bother, because is my child and a love har ... is a spirit in me to just do mi best fi har," he said. "Life is fun with her ... she has an attachment with me that is so warm, and so loving ... and if I come lif har up, she hold on so tight ... when I put her down, she break out in tears."

Though Hannah-Kay would like her daughter to walk and talk, she is not worried that she might eventually not. But Courtney is still hopeful.

He said, "Mi pray every day fi har, every day as I open mi eyes mi pray fi har ... when I put down my head, mi pray fi har because mi know God is able."

In reaction to the recognition he recently got for his involvement with his daughter, he said, "Because they see the interest I take in my child. I'm always there for her. I take her to school (and back). I'm patient with her. I walk her when she need to walk."

In May, Child Month, the Early Stimulation Programme, an agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, voted him the most outstanding father.

Courtney, who has a son from a previous relationship, has a message for Jamaican fathers who would have doubts about going all the way with a child who is physically challenged.

"Dem wouldn't know what dem missing, because God never do anything that you can't handle ... it is just how to put out the best."

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Superintendent Jennifer Brown-Bonnick of the Elletson Road police presents Courtney White with the most outstanding father award in the Early Stimulation Programme, in May. - Contributed photos

Cerebral palsy