'I am so proud of my son'
Published:Saturday | February 4, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
THE POPULAR saying "whatever the mind can conceive, it can also achieve" is probably what motivates 12-year-old Johnathan Francis, who, despite his deformity, is an outstanding academic achiever at Robert Lightbourne High School in St Thomas.
Born with the soles of both feet turned up (upside down), which was later corrected with surgery, and with both arms near the wrists twisted in an arc, this student has defied the odds and is now not only the most outstanding performer at his school, but also the most outstanding performer in mathematics.
"I am so proud of my son! God has really blessed him, and the time spent with him and assisting with his studies is paying off," said Colbert Francis, Johnathan's father. "He was born with the disorder, and although we managed to come up with the money for the surgery, which corrected the deformity in his legs, we are not yet able to come up with additional funds for the necessary operations to be done on his arms."
First operation
According to Francis, the first operation was done some years ago at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and was deemed a success. But despite correcting that problem, he was forced to send his son to Hope Valley Experimental Primary and Infant School in St Andrew for two years. The father said shortly afterwards, he was advised, based on signs of his son's brilliance, to place him at Trinity Ville Primary, which was closer to home.
Since then, Johnathan, who is well loved by the entire Trinity Ville community, including his peers, has performed way above expectations, especially in the area of mathematics.
"I love math and my ambition is to become a banker, and I am determined to make this dream come true," he said. "My idol is Usain Bolt, who I admire very much. However, my favourite sport is cricket. I love school, and I get along with my friends and teachers at my school."
Recently, Johnathan was awarded for being the the most outstanding overall performer at Robert Lightbourne High School and also the most outstanding performer in mathematics during a special awards ceremony put on by the United States Embassy at Titchfield High School.