The Ministry of Social Development dedicated the
week of November 27- December 1 as "Disability Week" in
TT. But apart from the few moments of recognition that
the differently able receive at special time like these
they are usually a forgotten group within our community.
This attitude is even transferred to the many athletes
who bring fame to TT at the Special Olympics and other
events that are specially designed for the disabled.
One of the most accomplished differently able athletes
that has come out of TT is Ancil Niclolas Greene who is
categorised as a "slow learner." This TT talent has a
gold and silver medel from the Special Olympics World
Games in 1999 and gold at the 1995 games among his many
achievements. But according to him "my disability does
not keep me back, everyone has a disability in some way
or the other, it's just that you will see some and others
are hidden. That is no reason to treat people
differently."
Greene says that he was one who was never attracted to
academics and it was only when he attended the National
Centre for Persons with Disabilities in San Fernando that
he was turned onto the path of sports.
It was by chance that he entered the swimming
competition at school and well, the rest is history.
Greene is an accomplished swimmer and triathlete that has
been representing TT for approximately the past 15 years
with his most recent adventure at the ITU Triathlon World
Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland in September. And
although that competition was of a very high standard,
Greene was disappointed by the lack of support that
special athletes receive from governmental bodies who
constantly make empty promises.
In fact, the triathlete explained how the team's
financial needs had to be accommodated by one of the
player's mother who just happens to have a substantial
bank account.
He adds that it was due to the delay of finances form
the government that resulted in the team missing the
parade of nations at the event and not being equipped
with a translator in the European nation. But such
instances do not prevent him from wanting to the do his
best even if he has to borrow a bike from another
athlete, which he did on that occasion.
The road to success has been and continues to be a
struggle for Greene who has to constantly dip into his
own finances for gear and other necessities in his quest
for athletic accomplishment and says that the lack of
support does affect his determination since unlike the
more developed countries that mold their athletes from
day one, many of the local sportsmen only receive that
momentary appreciation when they attain great
accomplishments and not much is done prior to this
point.
Even when an athlete reaches his or her career end
there are not many viable options for them. For now being
a swimming instructor at the St. Michael's swimming pool
in San Fernando is enough for Greene who only this year
became a recipient of a Unit Trust Corporation 2006/2007
sports scholarship.
Greene adds that although some may not see sport as a
viable investment it has the ability to create discipline
and strengthen bonds among the youth and build a better
society with well-balanced and motivated individuals
Source
www.newsday.co.tt
