{"id":677,"date":"2012-12-04T01:59:24","date_gmt":"2012-12-04T01:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swahainternational.org\/shc\/?p=677"},"modified":"2021-03-30T14:51:16","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T14:51:16","slug":"from-despair-to-strength-peace-alanas-an-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swahainternational.org\/shc\/uncategorized\/from-despair-to-strength-peace-alanas-an-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"From despair to strength, peace Alana\u2019s an inspiration"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

From: Trinidad Guardian
\nPublished: Sunday, November 11, 2012
\n– Michelle Loubon<\/p>\n

It was 9 am at Swaha\u2008Hindu College, Coalmine Road, Sangre Grande, on October 30. Wheelchair-bound business teacher Alana Gajadhar was teaching a group of Form Three students. Gajadhar shot to national prominence when she graduated with a postgraduate diploma (Dip Ed with distinction) at UWI\u2008Spec Auditorium, from St Augustine Campus, on October 27.
\nSitting serenely, Gajadhar cut a beautiful picture with her well-coiffed hair and almost perfect makeup. Pausing from her lecture, Gajadhar, 37, spoke of overcoming the disability sustained in an accident (September 30,1991) to pursue a successful career in teaching. Gajadhar was attending St Augustine Girls\u2019 High School when, at age 16, following the accident, she lost all sensation in her legs and became a paraplegic.
\nHer charges listened with rapt attention. They were drawn from rural catchment areas like Toco, Manzanilla and her hometown Sangre Grande. Gajadhar\u2019s students made the trek to the designated Business class on the ground floor. In 2001, she first taught English at Swaha.
\n
\nBasking in her academic success, Gajadhar said, \u201cI was a little flustered when I\u2008began the education programme. Not many people would do it. They do not have the capacity or the energy. They may be downtrodden or feel a little discouraged. There were times when I\u2008wanted to give up and throw in the towel. I would say, \u2018This is too much work. I\u2008don\u2019t know how I\u2008could manage all of this.\u2019\u201d
\nAmid the challenges, Gajadhar was determined to pursue tertiary education. After A-levels at SAGHS, she read for a BSc Degree in Sociology and Management in 1997. Her passion for education and teaching was boundless. \u201cIt was a challenge. But I knew I\u2008wanted to succeed. I\u2008could not stand by and watch the world go by. In the end, I\u2008found inner courage and sheer determination. \u201cThis a challenge I\u2008would be willing to take forward and influence other differently-abled people. I want to contribute positively to the growth and development of T&T. I\u2008am seeing this as part of my role as a teacher.\u201d\u2008
\nReverting to the fateful day of the accident, Gajadhar said she entered a bewildering world of changes. \u201cI\u2008was 16. We were in a maxi taxi going home on the Valencia stretch. A large truck was trying to overtake another vehicle. I was unconscious. I\u2008did not remember the accident. It could not overtake properly and that\u2019s when it hit. One girl (Naila Mungroo) died from it…it resulted in my physical condition today. I am paralysed. My spine was crushed and it never recovered. \u201cI\u2008wondered how I\u2008would deal with it. I could not understand what was going on with my life. I just knew I\u2008could not walk.\u201d\u2008
\nThe worst experience<\/strong>
\nGajadhar confessed to having suicidal thoughts. \u201cIt was the worst experience in my life. Thoughts of suicide swirled in my head. My mother (Naindra) died in 2001. I still\u2008miss her. But the accident was extremely traumatic, I\u2008can\u2019t explain what it was like to know you are walking one day and the next day you can\u2019t. I\u2008was not able to feel any sensation in my legs. No one wanted to come out and tell me the truth. I\u2008had to take a year off from school.\u201d\u2008
\nHer parents Deodath and Naindra Gajadhar were struggling emotionally, too. \u201cThey had a healthy adolescent child. Suddenly they had to deal with a differently-abled child. My two younger brothers Brent and Dylan were devastated.\u201d\u2008
\nDuring her sabbatical, she sought a diagnosis at Toronto Children\u2019s Hospital, Canada. But the heartwrenching reality haunted Gajadhar. \u201cThey said I\u2008would never be able to walk again. I\u2008would ask God what kind of future was awaiting me. Why don\u2019t I\u2008die? It is better if I\u2008died. I\u2008went into a state of depression. I\u2008could not have gotten through that period without the love and support of my family and friends. They were looking out for me during those initial years.\u201d\u2008
\nSeveral of her students were curious about whether she felt intimidated. They even suggested schools be outfitted with elevators for the disabled. Gajadhar said at times she felt the brunt of insensitive people. \u201cBut thankfully, they are in the minority. They do not understand what it is to be blind or paraplegic or to have hearing difficulties.\u201d
\nYet she was optimistic the Government was trying to make positive interventions. \u201cPeople are becoming more aware of the needs of differently-abled people. Government is trying to educate people. People are much kinder and compassionate. There is the move toward inclusion.\u201d \u2008
\nTo date, Gajadhar has found the strength and peace to accept and deal with her life condition.\u201cI\u2008am comfortable with myself. You have to find happiness within yourself and then you could be at peace and share it with others. You would not find happiness by looking to anyone else.\u201d\u2008She has drawn support from her guru\/vice principal Pundit Ishwar Maharaj and his spouse Ambika Madoo Maharaj, her best friends Vidusha Singh and cricketer Alisa Mohammed.
\nMotivating students <\/strong>
\nTurning to her students, Gajadhar reminded them they too can surmount challenges. \u201cDo not think you have a world of problems and you can\u2019t achieve anything. You have to move towards a higher calling. Don\u2019t let anything or anyone deter you from achieving success.\u201d\u2008
\nShe challenged them to emulate Swaha\u2019s\u2008first national scholarship recipient (2012) Chelsie Ramsingh.\u201cChelsie put Swaha\u2008on the map,\u201d Gajadhar said.
\nDescribing teaching as her \u201cjoy and passion,\u201d Gajadhar vowed she would never quit. \u201cIt has been a great experience…good satisfaction.\u201d\u2008As the interview wound to a close, the students confessed to being proud of Gajadhar. Several of them\u2014including Gwendal\u2008Francis, Karl Chow, Javid Sookdeo, Kaylon Meyers, La Thalia Homer, Jaden Muhammed and Hema Parasam\u2014said they felt inspired by Gajadhar\u2019s story. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From: Trinidad Guardian Published: Sunday, November 11, 2012 – Michelle Loubon It was 9 am at Swaha\u2008Hindu College, Coalmine Road, Sangre Grande, on October 30. Wheelchair-bound business teacher Alana Gajadhar was teaching a group of Form Three students. Gajadhar shot to national prominence when she graduated with a postgraduate diploma (Dip Ed with distinction) at<\/p>\n

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