Pressing along - Seizures won’t stop young woman from pursuing her dreams

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

For 23 three years, Vicar Davidson has endured the mental and physical scars associated with her epileptic episodes, but her optimism towards a better life and a formal establishment of her crochet business has never waned.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of one, Davidson has had to place many aspirations on hold in addition to omitting even the very thought of engaging in some activities. But her illness, in part, has come as a blessing in disguise, allowing her to hone a skill admired by many.

"This condition has affected my life in several ways. My ambition was to become a nurse, but because of my constant seizures I cannot pursue this career. I cannot be left alone or allowed to go anywhere on my own, and my social life is also affected. While attending high school, my cousin visited my home and she taught me how to crochet," Davidson told Rural Xpress.

Though she may take a longer time to complete her pieces, with practice, Davidson has gradually perfected her craft and can even make some designs by simply looking at it, without the use of instructions.

"Some of the things which I have made are handbags, phone cases, headbands, skirts, baby booties, church hats, shoulder bags, scarves, and bathing suits. My clients are community members and my church family," she noted.

SUPPORT FROM CHURCH FAMILY, FRIENDS

Davidson not only receives support in the form of purchased items, but also the moral support and admiration of her church family and friends.

"Vicar has a fighting spirit and is a very dedicated and helpful young lady. There will be days when she has multiple seizures at church and a few moments after you will find her volunteering her help in some form of activity taking place there," said her friend Rowena Xymines.

She added: "She is part of the children's ministries' directorate, and there was one Sabbath when the team was to take the children to visit with kids at the SOS Children's Village. It had been a rough week of seizures for her, and that Sabbath morning had been no different. Yet, no matter how the other leaders tried, they could not convince her to forgo the trip that week. At the location, they had to be constantly reminding her to take it easy. She is the definition of resilient. Though her mental and physical capacities have been significantly reduced, you will never come to church and know that this is a sickly young lady unless she is having an attack; you can count on her always being involved in one way or the other."

While Davidson hopes to have a seizure-free life, her greatest wish is a boom in business. "I would love to have a growing market for my business. Not only will this allow me to become more established in the industry, but it will help with the high costs associated with my medical condition," Davidson told Rural Xpress.

With a fearless spirit, she noted that her mother is her motivation.

"My strength comes from God and I gave my life to Him at the age of 10. My family is also a tower of strength to me, especially my mother. As a child growing up, I was very brave. I usually love to sing, especially at church. Currently, as a result of my illness, I am at home with my mother, who stays home to care for me," she lamented.

Every day is not a great day for Davidson, but she wakes up with a purpose and a drive to fulfil that purpose.

To contact Vicar Davidson on how you can access her pieces, call (876) 589-2616.

rural@gleanerjm.com