JAMES... my years at the Salvation Army School for the Blind have been most rewarding

ILLNESS prevented her from attending Monday's awards ceremony to collect her Badge of Honour for almost 40 years' service to the visually impaired, but 68 year-old Sheila Evangeline James was pleased to be among the 130 persons honoured for significant contributions to Jamaica's development

"I am very appreciative and thankful to the people who suggested and selected me," said the retired teacher, who is regarded as a beacon of light to her blind and visually impaired students at the Salvation Army School for the Blind.

For 38 years, James had taught grade three as well as piano, recorder and singing lessons at the school.

"I was in her singing class for a year. She was an excellent teacher," said Sidney Thorpe, keyboard player for the popular local band, Fab Five. "She always had information available when you needed it."

According to Thorpe, James had also taught Grub Cooper -- lead singer and drummer for Fab Five -- as well as another band member and keyboard player, Donavon Palmer.

"She taught all of us music and regular school subjects. We all sang in the choir and she was instrumental in that. In fact, the choir also won medals at festival," Thorpe said. He named a few other former students -- Henry Robinson, keyboard player; and Kingsley Boyd, drummer -- who were members of another popular band, the Unique Vision.

"She used to find some interesting songs for us. All of us love Miss James. I still keep in touch with her," said Thorpe.

James told the Observer that her love of music had impelled her to try and introduce students to music.

"Singing was part of the curriculum, but recording and the piano I used to teach after school -- part of the extra-curricular activities," the soft-spoken teacher said. "I tried to introduce as many of them as possible. Many were introduced to the piano and if they had the talent they went further."

She spoke proudly of two students who had gone on to the Jamaica School of Music at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

"My years at the Salvation Army School for the Blind have been most rewarding," she said. "I am grateful to other members of staff, students and members of the administration who have assisted me in many ways and made my stay enjoyable."

James, who is also a recipient of the Golden Torch Award from the Jamaica Teachers Association for over 35 years of service, encouraged persons with disabled children to take advantage of special facilities for them.

"It is my hope that more parents take advantage of institutions formed to educate and train people with disabilities such as the Salvation Army School for the Blind or the Mona Rehab. Parents should not keep their disabled children at home," said James.

James, who is also visually impaired, was diagnosed with Optic Atrophy at age seven.

"When I started school at that age, they noticed that I used to sit close to the blackboard. When I went to the doctors, they said that it could not be fixed. I can see a little bit, though," she said. This, however, did not deter her from pursuing her ambition of becoming a teacher, following in her mother's footsteps.

She attended regular classes at the Salters Hill Primary, Duncans Primary, Westwood High School and Shortwood Teachers' College.

James used a noiseless typewriter from high school onward to record her information and was assisted by the generosity of fellow students and teachers who read to her.

It was also during her high school years that this determined young woman began to learn Braille, a system of writing and reading for the blind.

Now retired, since 1998, James said that God was integral to her success.

"I am thankful to God for providing so many people who have enriched my life," she said. Though not physically well, she continues to sing on her church choir. She also enjoys reading and listening to music.

The veteran teacher continues to encourage others in their personal pursuits. She insists that, "no matter what kind of limitations a person may have, there is a way to cope with it and experience success, joy and fulfilment", she said.

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