Blind go-getter determined to be successful

Prior to 1997, the trajectory of Alicia Thorpe's life was headed in a dangerous direction, with little to no hope of success in sight.

Thorpe, who was born with glaucoma resulting in vision loss, was ignored by teachers at her St Ann-based primary institution daily, often having to fend for herself in the classroom.

"Me never did a learn, me just deh a school every day. Teacher nah pay me nuh mind because memba me can't see, so me nuh matter to dem. At age 10, I came to town and I started Salvation Army School for the Blind in 1997; a deh so my life really begin. That's where my teachers were focused on me. I learnt how to use the Braille [machine], how to adapt to being visually impaired," Thorpe told THE STAR. From that intimate connection at the specialised learning institution, Thorpe was able to transition into the public education system when she enrolled at the Dunoon Technical High School.

"I have to big up my teachers at Dunoon, they really looked after me. Even after school, they would sit me down and help me understand things. They were good to me, they spent time with me, they took their time. I had teachers who had my best interest [at heart] and I was able to get five CXC subjects," the 37-year-old said.

It may have been fate or just sheer coincidence that Thorpe has now ventured into the classroom, now being the beacon of change for others, shaping curious minds. She explained that the care and delicate tutelage she received in her childhood motivated her to find her footing in the classroom, even though her childhood dream was to be a lawyer or politician.

"I work hard and I try to teach that to the children now that life nuh easy out there as an adult. I tell them every day to focus and not to waste their time. I have been in the classroom for a while and I grow to love it; I love the children," she said.

Thorpe dubs herself 'Blind with a buzz', as she is not afraid of getting her hands dirty to provide for herself. Not only does she meet the educational qualifications for a teacher -- as she is armed with a diploma in primary education and a bachelor's degree in primary education from The Mico University College -- she has other qualifications.

"I went to the HEART Beauty College in 2013, just as I finished St Joseph's [Teachers' College] and did a course in massage therapy because me couldn't get no work. Me nuh want stay home and do nothing, me like fend fi myself. Me like work for my own. I enjoyed the massage course because it never have nuh much bookwork; it was fun," the grade two teacher told the news team.

"Then when I was at Mico, I finished in 2015 and I had the best batchmates. They looked out for me and I always proved to people that I belonged there. You would have people who would question why I was there, why was a blind person in the classroom, but I defended myself. I always did and I believe in working hard. I am not going to sit down and wait for anything," she shared.

Thorpe indicated that she has dreams of venturing into politics, pushing the agenda that everyone in the society should work hard and contribute to the growth of the nation.

"Everybody should have a work. I see it too much, where able-bodied people just nah do nothing and that's not good. I think if you nah work, you shouldn't have a passport, you shouldn't have access to certain benefits. I think if everyone works, there will be some balance between the able and the disabled, and a better society," she explained.