Devrone Connor talks life and family

Interview with Devrone Connor

What area are you from?

St. Paul’s

What schools did you attend?

St. Paul’s Primary School, Sandy Point High School now known as Charles E. Mills Secondary, and Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.

You won the car!!! Did you ever feel in your spirit that you would win or were  you surprised?

I know my chances of winning were very high, but I never thought I would have actually won. To be qualified for the raffle you had to spend $30 or more in KFC purchases.

What was a) your reaction and b) your mom’s reaction?

When my name was called as the winner I went completely numb in disbelief. All the years of struggling and getting around, flashed before my eyes. As for   Mom, she was more excited than anything to receive such a blessing. After I was announced the winner, Mom call my sister who came and drove us home in the  car.

As a son of a strong black woman, what qualities/traits does your mom have, that you would like to share with the public?

Selfless, Confidence, Independence, and Positivity.

How have those qualities, shape the man you are today?

As I am living with a disability, those qualities did a lot for me. She taught me to be strong and look beyond my inabilities. Sometimes we focus so much on what make us different that we lose sight on the difference we can make in the    world.

What would you say to young men who have no respect for their mothers? Any advice you can share?

Respect and love your mother no matter what because there’s no love like a mother’s love. Only a mother can love you  beyond your faults and disappointments.

How do you stay strong?

Basically, having positive people around who keep the positive vibes flowing. You have to surround yourself with people who are going to make you feel superior rather than inferior. It gives you that boost you need knowing you have the ability to do anything others might think is impossible.

Questions posed to Merlene

What would you like to share with the public?

Being a mother of a child living with a disability you have to have a thick skin and also a lot of patience. It’s really not an easy task especially if you don’t have a strong support system to stand beside you.

What is your advice to other mothers?

My advice to mothers especially mothers with kids living with disabilities (as there are too many cases of mother neglect associated with disabled kids). It’s a tough job that continues to get tougher, but with strong faith, strength, and patience you’ll conquer all. It makes no sense bringing a child into this world and then have to later neglect the child because he/she doesn’t fit your expectations. Many sacrifices will have to be made but as a mother do what’s expected of you and do your best to nurture that child.

Read his mother’s article here: Queen Merlene shares her journey as a mother of a son who had challenges

This article first published in Caribbean Vybes Magazine