Born on August 5, 1946 with deformed legs, Sarah Newland-Martin never cared that she was disabled, and for 75 years she showed Jamaica that a physical disability was not an impediment to excellence.

Her outstanding achievements grabbed national attention in 1965 when she was named Jamaican Sportswoman of the Year for being the only woman with a disability to complete the ‘Cross The Harbour’ race — a two-and-a-half-mile swim in Kingston Harbour that proved a challenge for many able-bodied people.

Newland-Martin died Wednesday after a brief period of hospitalisation, leaving a void that Jamaica will struggle to fill.

In her tribute to Newland-Martin, acting general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU), the Rev Merlyn Hyde-Riley, noted that she had committed much of her life to raising awareness and providing education about disabilities.

“She was chair of the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities Committee, up to earlier this year and spearheaded a project which saw the Jamaica Baptist Union producing a handbook entitled Church of All and for All, which speaks to the need for integration, inclusion and interaction as we engage with people with disabilities…

“She was also very involved with the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, a programme of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and was registered to represent the JBU at the upcoming WCC Assembly,” added Hyde-Riley.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding said Newland-Martin’s untimely passing had come as a shock to him personally and a great loss to Jamaica, noting that she “literally grew up in my father’s hand”.

“I have known her since I was a child when she was already an internationally competitive swimmer. In later years, we served together in support of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre (formerly the Mona Rehabilitation Centre), and after he passed in 1996 she played an important part in helping to ensure the sustainability of that institution,” Golding said in a press statement.

Golding, who extended sincere condolences to her family, friends and the community of persons with disabilities”, was joined by Opposition spokesperson with responsibility for special abilities, Senator Lambert Brown.

“She was the face of the poliovirus vaccine advocacy across the region for decades and a lovely individual who always encouraged from the sidelines. Sarah was a committed and passionate Jamaican; she loved her country deeply. We have lost another true nation-builder,” said Brown.

Mike Fennell, former president of the Jamaica Olympics Association, eulogised her for her “tremendous contribution to Jamaica in sports for athletes with disabilities”, noting that she had paved the way for the current paralympians.

“At the Stoke Mandeville Games which preceded the Paralympic Games in England, Sarah won numerous medals in swimming after establishing herself as a local and international competitor for her country,” said Fennell.

He said she had gone on to spearhead the well-known swimming programme which produced many locals swimmers and helped in the rehabilitation of many young Jamaicans at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

He described her as an incredible human being who had given great service at great personal sacrifice.

Family members confirmed Newland-Martin’s passing, saying that she had suffered a heart attack not long after undergoing surgery at the Kingston Public Hospital. It was believed that the surgery was successful, however, she suddenly took a turn for the worse and was rushed to the intensive care unit where she succumbed.

Newland-Martin, whose husband predeceased her a few years ago, was also famously known as the first woman secretary general of the Kingston YMCA, becoming the face of the organisation in the post she occupied up to her passing. She also chaired the committee of Friends of the Mona Rehabilitation Centre.

Fennell, a long-time friend of Newland-Martin, disclosed that her passing came within a few hours of the 102nd anniversary of the YMCA, June 7. Two years ago she had invited him to chair the committee she established to celebrate the centenary, before the plans were scuttled by the novel pandemic.

Senator Brown said Newland-Martin had dedicated her life to help transform the lives of at-risk boys and is best remembered for her work with the Kingston YMCA… which is also well known for its aquatics, taekwondo, summer camp, formal and informal counselling programmes, and referrals.

“Newland-Martin became the first woman general secretary of the YMCA and her more than 30 years of service to the organisation was recognised by the State, which invested her with the award of the Officer of the Order of Distinction s(OD).

“Her life’s work made her a veritable giant among the community of persons with disabilities. She was a truly wonderful and courageous soul who served selflessly in many roles and capacities,” Senator Brown said.

— Desmond Allen contributed to this story