Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
‘I am proud of myself’
Yanique Mendez and friend Kemille Johnson at the Moneague College recently
News, North & East, Regional
BY RENAE DIXON Observer staff reporter dixonr@jamaicaobserver.com  
February 15, 2014

‘I am proud of myself’

Yanique Mendez not deterred by wheelchair

Being confined to a wheelchair is no setback when it comes to academics for 17-year-old Yanique Mendez who is enrolled in the pre-university arts programme at Moneague College in St Ann.

The famous quote from national hero Marcus Garvey, “Without self-confidence, you are twice defeated in the race of life”, is what guides this confident teen who believes she can achieve her goals despite being physically challenged.

With nine Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects under her belt, Mendez is looking to excel at Moneague College before matriculating to the University of the West Indies.

Having accomplished all she has despite these odds, Mendez said she is proud of herself.

“I am proud of myself; it makes me more determined to go for what I want,” she explained.

Mendez’s life changed five years ago when the then first former of Ferncourt High School was injured in a motor vehicle crash which left her unable to walk.

Although the teen’s initial response was one of disappointment at learning she would be confined to a wheelchair, Mendez has since put all of that behind her and is now working hard to make her dreams into realities.

“I felt anti-social but after going back to school I adjusted to the situation,” she told the Jamaica Observer North East.

Mendez said she was encouraged to continue school in Kingston where some facilities would have been better equipped for a physically challenged person. However, she wanted to return to Ferncourt High, a decision she has not regretted.

“There are a lot of persons who motivate me, my mommy Stacey-Ann Robinson, Mr Lenworth Sterling and Ms Donna Edwards motivate me,” she said, adding that she was also well supported by other family members as well as her school community.

She admits to wanting to be like Dorothy Pyne McLarty, a Jamaican whom she admires.

“My mentor is Dorothy Pyne McLarty. I want to be just like her,” she said.

She is now assiduously working towards her goal of pursuing a career in law and politics.

“I like arguing,” said the former vice-president of the Debate Club at Ferncourt High.

Her determination and hard work is a motivation to many.

“She is always positive, no matter what,” her friend, Kemille Johnson said in admiration.

“She is a force to reckon with. The wheelchair does not take away from who she is. She is a motivation to anyone. It seems as if sometimes she is not in a wheelchair,” Johnson continued.

She also explained that Mendez likes to socialise and, as such, has many friends.

Mendez lives an active teenage life, socialising with friends and attending school functions.

“I like reading and listening to music,” she said.

The teen who has matured mentally in dealing with her situation had this advice for peoples who may be physically challenged and are battling with accepting their reality:

“I would encourage them not to let physical or other challenges hinder them from accomplishing what they want to,” she encouraged.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Gas Prices up $.25, Diesel up $2.94
Latest News, News
Gas Prices up $.25, Diesel up $2.94
September 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Motorists should see an increase at the pumps in the price of gasoline effective Thursday, September 10, according to the latest e...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mt Pleasant edge Portmore 1-0 to move into joint second in Group B of Caribbean Cup
Latest News, Sports
Mt Pleasant edge Portmore 1-0 to move into joint second in Group B of Caribbean Cup
September 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Defending champions Mt Pleasant FA moved into contention for qualification to the next round of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup after ed...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Montego Bay Perimeter Road project paused
Latest News, News
Montego Bay Perimeter Road project paused
September 9, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Work has been paused on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road as the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), reviews its sa...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Norman Manley demolish Ardenne 9-0 in Manning Cup opener
Latest News, Sports
Norman Manley demolish Ardenne 9-0 in Manning Cup opener
September 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— A hat-trick by Demarco Bryan propelled Norman Manley High to the biggest win of the opening round of the Manning Cup, trouncing Ard...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘My boyfriend is AI’
Latest News, News
‘My boyfriend is AI’
Psychologist discusses potential effects of AI-Companion use
DANA MALCOLM, Observer Online reporter, malcolmd@jamaicaobserver.com 
September 9, 2026
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more intertwined with daily life, some models are being designed and advertised as companions, but psychologis...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Former JDF soldier and ex-wife found dead in Georgia apartment
Latest News, News
Former JDF soldier and ex-wife found dead in Georgia apartment
September 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A former Jamaica Defence Force soldier and his ex-wife, both 25, were found dead inside their Georgia apartment on Monday as US au...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
PSG thrash Slovan in Champions League opener, Liverpool down Atletico
Latest News, Sports
PSG thrash Slovan in Champions League opener, Liverpool down Atletico
September 9, 2026
PARIS, France (AFP) -- Holders Paris Saint-Germain made a smooth start to their bid for a third consecutive Champions League title as Ferran Torres sc...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Triple murder in Robin’s Bay: Gunman kills three in bar attack
Latest News, News
Triple murder in Robin’s Bay: Gunman kills three in bar attack
September 9, 2026
ST MARY, Jamaica — A gunman walked into a bar in the quiet coastal community of Robin’s Bay, St Mary, on Wednesday afternoon and shot three men dead b...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct