FROM the moment he positioned a paintbrush between his neck and shoulder and brought an image to life without any hands, Tyrece Johnson knew he wanted to study at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and pursue a career in graphic design.

That dream seemed attainable last month when the 17-year-old was offered a full scholarship to the institution. However, financial challenges have put his educational journey on hold. His family is seeking assistance to make his dream a reality.

His mother, Kameshia Jordine, told the Jamaica Observer that despite the generous offer from the tertiary institution, Tyrece had to defer his schooling until next year, holding on to hope that they will be able to secure the necessary resources for his transition from living in Manchester to Kingston by then.

“We went up there [Edna Manley College] and they said we should register him and everything, but one of the reasons why he didn’t start was because two weeks of classes had already gone and the campus was full. For him to rent a place in Kingston, and the back and forth and everything, it would be very expensive. Plus, we’re going to have to get somebody to stay with him — and that is very expensive as well — so he is just gonna have to sit out a year, and we try for next year,” said Jordine.

Tyrece was born without hands and with short legs. He was first highlighted on social media by his alma mater, Belair High School, which is located in Mandeville. The institution published a video that showed the 17-year-old painting. It was through this video that his mother said he caught the attention of a member of Edna Manley College, who made contact with the family.

The scholarship opportunity was a ray of hope for Tyrece, who could not continue his education at sixth form because he did not have a shadow. His mother explained that the shadow he had throughout high school was offered a new job opportunity, and they could not secure another shadow to take over from that individual.

With the scholarship, Tyrece is still optimistic he’ll be able to pursue his dreams.

“I’m really excited and hopeful about it. It has been a really big dream of mine all of my life,” he told the Sunday Observer.

He shared that from as long as he could remember he’s loved art, but the passion grew in high school. He recalled that in his animation classes he often drew cars, fruits, and other items, developing his skills daily.

“I don’t want to focus on just one thing. I like a wide variety of things…nature, still life, realism, and stop-motion…I love being able to put something on a canvas and make it seem alive in a way,” said Tyrece, who added that the completion of each piece gives him a sense of accomplishment and peace.

Tyrece Johnson (left), his mother Kameshia Jordine (centre), and sister Arica Montaque

While in third form he said he decided to pursue visual arts as a subject for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. He successfully passed seven subjects, his pride and joy, visual arts, among them.

Tyrece said his accomplishment serves as a testament that he can do anything he puts his mind to.

“Growing up, my grandmother used to always say, ‘Just try, and try, and try.’ I tried, and it just worked out. I figured out how to do stuff, and I’m proud of myself,” he told the Sunday Observer, smiling.

Tyrece said he only hopes he will have the opportunity to pursue his degree.

“It would mean a lot to me because it’s a big thing for me…I want to do graphic design and visual arts because it has a lot of branches. I could design clothes and so much more,” he said.

As she reflected on her son’s success Jordine said she is a proud mother.

“I just am very overwhelmed with everything. I am a proud mommy. I am very proud to know that he does not have his hands and his body is different but he stands out and can do things more than the ordinary child — because a whole lot of people can’t do what he does and they have their hands and their feet, so I’m very proud,” said Jordine.

A mother of three, with Tyrece being her eldest, Jordine said she works hard to put her children through school, relying on her minimum wage salary and the support of her mother.

As she eyes the new task of getting Tyrece to his dream school, she said she is not sure what the family will do. She said they have considered selling his paintings and might even move the entire family to Kingston to help her son, but she risks losing her job and having to find a new one in a parish that is more expensive than she is accustomed to.

“I really hope we can just get some assistance to bring him to Kingston to study,” said Jordine, pleading for assistance.