Blind Hope, Bright Vision: The Stanleys Story Revisited
Written by Special Foundation
Once in a while, we are reminded of the incredible resilience of the human spirit. We hear stories that give us a sense that no matter our predicaments, there’s always a way to rise above them —albeit with some help. One such inspiring story is the story of the Stanley family.
A Father’s Pride
“I have three beautiful children,” Mr Stanley says, “the first one is Testimony. The second is Prudence. The third is Providence. But…” he pauses in the Tales of Hope video documentary. “I have not seen them with my eyes.” Mr Stanley, father of two of The Special Foundation’s beneficiaries, Testimony, eight years old and Prudence, five years old, is visually impaired.
Both he and his wife, Victoria, have been visually impaired since they were children due to measles. Despite their impairment, they are both hardworking individuals. Victoria graduated from a computer school and acquired computer acquisition skills. Mr Stanley is a talented gospel musician and instrumentalist who can support his family through church gigs and performances.
A Typical Family
The Stanleys are your typical family unit. One might expect that in a home with two visually impaired parents and three kids, the constant presence of eternal helping hands would abound. The opposite is true. By their admission —and those of neighbours and friends— both parents can do almost every mundane thing about keeping a home functioning.
The only thing they often need assistance with is walking on the main road, a task their eldest daughter, the young Testimony, is always eager to assist. “She started helping out when she was four,” Mr Stanley states. “Even when she helps her mom out, she’s the one who signs signatures.” He added with pride. Testimony often goes beyond helping her parents walk on the road. She is known for coordinating with her siblings and helping with their homework.
The Covid Disruption
The Covid pandemic was disruptive to everyone, including the Stanley family. Movements were restricted, which meant that Mr Stanley’s visits to perform at churches and events were restricted, too. As independent as they are, the Stanleys are the first to admit how important the kindness of those around them offers sustenance. However, after the pandemic, it became important for them to prioritize their children’s well-being.
“We were at the verge of asking them [the children] to hold on,” Mr Stanley explains, “because, for them to feed first, talk less of to even go to school was difficult.” Despite the importance of their children’s education, survival was more vital. This is usually a decision that parents from low-income communities grapple with daily. It’s a difficult choice marked by how little of a choice it offers.
A Teacher’s Initiative
One thing that was always important to the Stanleys was their children’s education. Being aware of this and their situation, an administrator at Bridge International Academy, one of The Special Foundation’s partner schools, decided to act proactively for the Stanleys. Having noticed their unusual delays in paying their children’s school fees, she was moved to take action on their behalf.
“When the idea of scholarships came up from The Special Foundation, I filled the form, and by the grace of God, it was granted,” Mrs Grace explains. That little proactive act of kindness began the relationship between The Special Foundation and the Stanley family. Courtesy of the Inspire Scholarship, the school fees and other academic requirements for Testimony and Prudence are covered to this day.
Blind Hope, Bright Vision
Testimony wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Her favourite foods are shawarma, fried rice, and chicken. One of her teachers rates her as one of the brightest in her class, always eager to work. Prudence, her younger sister, is described as quiet and intelligent by her teachers. Both girls are doing very well in their studies, and their parents are eager and present to ensure this every step of the way.
The Stanleys epitomize true resilience despite their disability. Through the simple act of proactive kindness by an administrator at Bridge International Academy, the lives of two children, Testimony and Prudence, are poised to be transformed. And by the sheer bravery of their visually impaired parents, we are reminded that the absence of sight isn’t the absence of vision. Donate to us or get involved as a partner or volunteer.
Remember:
Every child is your child, every child has a right to dream.
