GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, June 5th, 2009 - It was from the foundation of the world that a plan was in place for a baby boy to be born on June 5th 1987 who would lack the sense of sight. This was manifested in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, nearly twenty-two years ago when Steven Stubbs came forth into this world. One can only imagine the excitement of his mother and father as they anticipated the birth of God’s gift to mankind, a baby.
This week, over two decades later, Steven shared his life story with some students of the Helena J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk. He was eager for the opportunity to go out and share with others, and confident that he will be able to touch the students' lives in a positive way.
On arrival to the campus, watching eyes and welcoming faces were standing at the doorways and peeping through the windows as Steven is guided to the classroom. There, the students were delighted to finally have the chance to sit and chat with him, the first interaction with a blind person - for many of them.
The conversation begins and Steven shares with the students after being welcomed by them, “Good Morning, my name is Steven Stubbs. I was born in Providenciales on June 5th 1987 and three months later my mother died, this is what I was told. I was born blind and grew up with many different people - my grandmother (now deceased), my father and others,” he informed them.
Steven noted that although he was born blind he is able to tell the difference between darkness and light. “I can’t see any images, unlike some other blind people who can see shadows, but I do know the difference between day and night, cloudy days and sunshine”.
As a young boy Steven would spend the day at the PATH Center in Providenciales where he began to learn to read in Braille and would colour and learn some other skills. He enjoyed hanging with his cousins and young friends, playing wrestling and video games. “I learn fairly easily by repetition, sound, and memory. You teach me the basics of a video game, whatever, and I learn to master it by repeatedly doing the task and listening for feedback from the machine,” he told the students.
In 2006 ten years after receiving a scholarship to a school for the blind, Steven finally was allowed to travel to Ontario, Canada where he was enrolled for two years at the W Ross McDonald School. “It was an awesome experience, I wish it could have been longer than two years. I learned more about Braille, I was on a wrestling team, I learned so many other life skills and became a lot more independent. It is there that I learnt more about being a DJ. I had spent some time at Radio Turks and Caicos before I left for Canada with one of my favorite personalities, L32, and always wanted to learn more,” he said joyfully.
After returning to the islands in 2008 Steven had hoped to secure some sort of employment with Radio Turks and Caicos (RTC), but was informed by new management that finances did not allow the station to employ him. “I felt crushed because I was very hopeful to progress in this area and prove that persons with disabilities are useful and can contribute positively to society just as persons without disabilities. I have come to learn and accept that life is tough, and I just wait for another opportunity to prove myself in our islands”
Since returning from Canada, Steven has resided at the Alexandra Home in Palm Grove, Grand Turk, a government owned and operated facility. Steven longs for the day when he can become even more independent by earning his own, and someday owning his own home. “I still desire to be a professional DJ. I would love to rent my own place someday or even own a home. I want to get married, have a family and life a God-fearing and respectable life in my country,” he affirms.
Steven informed the students that they can make life more comfortable for persons with disabilities by not being mean to them, not teasing them, and by just treating them as normal people and accepting them for who they are. He encouraged them “Take advantage of this opportunity to learn, stay focused, and always know that you can achieve what you put your mind and heart in.”
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