'I pulled through, so can you'

Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer

The title of Dionne Wright's upcoming autobiography is also a statement that fully encapsulates the inspiring journey of a strong mother and a gifted daughter.

Outlook got a chance to meet and catch up with Wright and her three-year-old daughter, Nicole Nadya-Li, at the Kingston Book Fair held on the lawns of Devon House two Saturdays ago.

Wright, a past Miconian, started pursuing her degree in information and communications technology at the University of Technology in 2003. But in the middle of her studies, she took a leap of faith, choosing instead to progress her professional life and journey to France on work experience.

This leap of faith presented many challenges, one of which was finance. She struggled to find a home in a foreign land and to make ends meet. But she fought back with a vengeance, using her thirst for knowledge as her main weapon. That thirst has gained her certification in Jamaica and France in a number of areas which include graphic design, math, science, computing, fireman training, and a master's in information and communication.

Like mother, like daughter, three-year-old Nicole Nadya-Li is certainly no stranger to advanced academia. 'Gifted' is the popular word used to describe her, but her mother says, "She is just Nikki." While she was pregnant, she knew Nicole was different. "I felt her moving in my tummy as early as eight weeks, and by 21 weeks, she became a very active baby." Born at eight months, when Whyte went home with her new baby, something didn't seem right. "She appeared to have some breathing problem, which I thought would disappear over time. But it started getting worse and she began passing out for a few seconds at least once every day for three and a half weeks. The doctor told me that she had been unconscious during those periods. She spent three days in the hospital for observation, and they did not find anything wrong, nor could they find any explanation."

Extraordinary achievements

But Nicole got past that and has been making leaps and bounds ever since. Her documented developments have been remarkable to say the least. At one week old, she turned on to her side on her own; at three weeks, she took up and held her favourite toy, and at three months, she was sitting upright unassisted. At six months, she was able to stand by holding on and taking steps. At eight months, she was drinking from a cup, and at 11 months she was walking on her own.

Her development continued to progress. When she was only a year old, she said her first word - car. Her passion and fascination for cars and trucks have led to her knowing the make of most cars. At two years and six months, she could recite and trace the alphabet, and count from one to 10 in both English and French. She could also identify colours, and knew animals and their sounds. By then, she was also fully potty trained and, by the time she was two years and eight months old, she had mastered using the computer. Before her second birthday, she could count up to 27 as well as type her name on the computer.

Wright returned to Jamaica in 2011, a master's in one hand, and Nicole in the other. But despite her qualifications, she faced the same problems plaguing a lot of Jamaicans - she couldn't get a job. A trained teacher, Wright decided to dedicate her time and energy into home-schooling her child. Now at the age of three, Nicole is already proficient in English, Spanish, French, mathematics, general science, information technology, art, music, social studies, geography, home economics, food and nutrition (baking her own cake).

Nicole's passion for art resulted in the compilation of her first book - Art at 3. The book depicts the artwork of an artiste beyond her years, showcasing abstract pieces and impulsive photography. So proud and inspired was Wright by her daughter's incredible artwork that she decided to not only document and create the books for her daughter, but to write her own - her language book titled English is Easy, French is Fun, and published by Sangster's Book Stores. Her books were on display at the Kingston Book Fair, with the likes of reggae artiste and Jamaican actress Cherine Anderson visiting her tent and expressing genuine interest in a language book designed for the primary level. "My aim is for Jamaica to learn a new and innovative language, using a book that is readily affordable for parents and can be easily understood by children," notes Wright, saying she saw the need for a language book that had not really been prevalent on the Jamaican market, and hopes to get the book mainstreamed into the local educational system.

Nicole loves the outdoors and was like any other three-year-old playing a game of catch with her cousin, playing with bubbles all the while highlighting fascinating objects to her mother. Her mastery of various languages came to the fore as her mother would scold her in fluent Spanish and her reaction indicated that she knew exactly what her mom meant.

Future plans

Wright plans to continue home-schooling her daughter, honing her talent and expanding her knowledge.

She will also continue writing while her daughter exceeds expectations. She displays the same thirst for knowledge as her mother, showing no fear experimenting with everything in reach. Nicole is living proof that great things really do come in small packages.