3 weeks ago
18
Tobago Correspondent
For most 11-year-olds in the country, the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) provided the biggest challenge of their lives.
Sleepless nights of studies, extra lessons, rigid preparation and the pressure of expectations have heaped immense stress on children and even traumatised some.
For Scarborough RC student Ajani Atkins, the SEA in May carried the same stresses as any ordinary child. However, sitting the exam was just the latest in a litany of adversities that would weigh heavily on even adults.
In the last two and a half years, Ajani has had to learn to walk again after an infection in his leg left him disabled and temporarily out of school. The health complication came at one of the most difficult times of his young life as he was still grieving the death of his father, Trevor Atkins, who passed away from kidney disease in late 2023. To compound these issues, the skinny boy with the big smile was born with sickle cell, a disease that is likely to affect him for his lifetime.
Ajani has had to adjust to living with this disease, battling random episodes of severe pain. His immune system is also compromised, making him prone to infections. His blood count is also lower than usual, restricting him from running about and playing carefree like other boys his age.
His mother, Kemba Atkins, told Guardian Media, “He can’t be stressed as other people.”
Atkins said her son was very close to his father, and his death due to sudden kidney failure affected him tremendously.
“He was a lot closer to his father than to me and that age, boys tend to gravitate (to their dad).”
She said her husband’s death came as a shock to the entire family, leaving her as the sole breadwinner and parent to her son and daughter.
“Yes, he was ill, but we did not expect it. It was around Christmas time, too.”
She said Ajani was still processing the loss of his father when he was struck by a mystery illness in June 2024 that saw him rushed to the Scarborough General Hospital.
Doctors later diagnosed him with an aggressive bone infection, which saw him hospitalised for almost four months.
“He was out of school. He did not get to do his end-of-term exam. He had to do some surgeries to correct the infection.”
Atkins said her son spent his birthday hospitalised and was “homeschooled” by her during that time.
“If you ask them nurses, I brought his books to the hospital, so he had to do the homework. His teachers would send the schoolwork that they did. I basically became his teacher during that period.”
To make sure her child was not being left behind academically, she enrolled him into a private online class teaching Mathematics, English and Creative Writing.
She said when he was eventually discharged in September, he spent two further months at home as the infection left him unable to straighten his left leg.
“While children were doing their schoolwork, Ajani had to go to therapy once to twice a week.”
His return to school in Standard Four was not seamless as the institution was not wheelchair accessible. However, students and staff rallied around him and made his return as comfortable and fun as possible.
“The children, they became like protectors for him. When he was back at school, the fight was who gets to push the wheelchair. They didn’t exclude him from anything.
“In Physical Education, they pushing him on the wheelchair; they carried him to the bathroom. They were like big brothers and sisters to him.”
She said her son’s focus was renewed in Standard Five and he pushed hard with an unwavering determination to persevere in his studies.
She said the only concession he was given was being allowed to sit the exam in a quiet room and take breaks if he needed. Despite describing the Mathematics as easier than expected, Ajani said he was unable to finish the paper in time.
As the anxiety heightened ahead of the results, doubts began to creep in.
“What if I don’t get in, mammy?” he asked his mother, desperation in his tone.
However, she reminded him of the hard work he had put in and that doing his best was sufficient for her.
“I didn’t pressure him or anything because he cannot be under stress. I told him you don’t have to pass for your first choice, just do your best.”
She said she thought he would have fallen asleep by the time the results came out at 11 pm, “but as I went to the computer, he was right there behind me.”
Ajani passed for his second choice, Scarborough Secondary, his father’s alma mater.
In a brief interview, he said, “I feel excited regardless of the challenges I’ve been through. I feel glad even though I miss plenty of school.”
He said he is grateful for the support of his mother and to God for His mercy.
After so much time spent in the hospital, Ajani said he wants to return there when he grows up, but not as a patient.
“I want to be a surgeon to help other people,” he said.
English (US) ·