'Your abilities are stronger than your disabilities'

NEW BOWENS, Clarendon:

Growing up, Vinette Cowans dreamed of working as an office administrator, but she has since shelved those plans to run her own business.

After leaving May Pen High School, Cowans went in search of a job. However, she was not taken seriously because she is confined to a wheelchair.

Her many job application letters had a recurring theme, "We don't have a place for a disabled person." Cowans said she finally gave up and decided to try another route to help herself.

"To pass time, I did a course in floral arrangements and I discovered that I loved everything about it," she shared.

Cowans developed a love affair with flowers, which drove her to being a part of the National Youth Service empowerment programme for persons with disability.

While there, she was sent to Angels Funeral Home and Decor Service, where she learnt about the business.

"And after, my boss said that I was good enough to start my own business and I took him at his word," she said on her foray into her company - Floral Oasis Designs, started early last year, where she does artificial and natural arrangements, corsages as well as wreaths.

Cowans said that there have been bumps in the road, but she is determined to press along

She noted that she is accustomed to challenges, as she has spent her entire life dealing with them. What makes them easier to overcome is the solid family support she has.

Born and raised in New Bowens, Clarendon, where she still resides, she said it was tough growing up, but her father Devon instilled confidence in her.

"Whenever I had tough days, I would remember one of his many sayings, 'Kerry, being different that is what is going to take you places'," she reminisced.

 

First-hand experience

 

Cowans said her older sister took her to The University of the West Indies and showed her disabled persons walking about on the campus.

"She wanted me to see that persons who can't walk actually go to college, work and live a normal life," said Cowans, noting that that was a confidence booster for her.

As she focuses on her business, she said her ultimate goal is to show others like herself that their abilities are stronger than their disabilities.

"No matter what anyone says, as long as you believe in you, you can reach the mountain," she said.

For Cowans, she would love to see Clarendon businesses, and rural entities on a whole, being more friendly to the physically challenged.

"We (disabled) want to have jobs, we want to impact workplaces, we want to make a difference," she said.

If there is one glitch on her road to success, then it surrounds the chair she uses to get around.

"I would love a motorized wheelchair. It would be a great help in me delivering products and I wouldn't need so much assistance," said Cowans, sharing that not everyone is willing to assist her into the wheelchair when she goes about her business.

"You would be surprised how many times that happen to me," she said.

rural@gleanerjm.com