A visually impaired author, who is also a former broadcaster and a former drug and alcohol addict, both Dominicans who have achieved significantly despite the odds, have shared their compelling testimonials with some 65 men, in an effort to inspire them.
Steinberg Henry and Bonti Liverpool told their life stories at the second Phenomenal Caribbean Men Symposium, which was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Morne Bruce on Saturday, 15th November 2014.
“I fitted when I was a child, I stuttered, I fractured my leg, I lost my sight,” Henry said.
As a result of his loss of vision because of glaucoma, he could not complete his PHD and he is still haunted by the thought of not being able to see.
He explained that he had to learn braille, learn to type and use the computer for visually impaired people and shared how he had to go to and from work with a crane using the pavement for guidance.
He told of the accidents he suffered, the pain, the anger and the tears before his failing vision became worse.
“When I began to lose my sight, I became extremely angry,” he said, “My thoughts descended into self-hate, regret and shame.”
He said this almost destroyed his life and to make matters worse, he added, he was not in Dominica but in Georgia in the United States of America.
His failing vision became acute at the age of 55.
He said it took a while to dust himself off and stand up as the sense of regret and anger slowly became less and less.
“I am here as the first movement of my global reach into motivating others to move,” Henry said.
Today Henry is an avid writer and counsels and works with PHD students whose first language is not English, by editing their work using screen reading technology.
The former teacher, broadcaster and press secretary in the Dame Eugenia Charles administration now holds a PHD in Media, Policy and Communication and a Masters in Communication and Social Justice, both from the University of Windsor Ontario, Canada.
He would have had a PHD in Sociology but he never completed due to his blindness.
The age of 55 was also a defining moment for former drug and alcohol addict, Bonti Liverpool, who said he took his first alcoholic drink at the age of eight and his last at the age of 55.
At the age of 17 Liverpool said he “moved up the ranks” to smoking marijuana, to using crack and then to “speed.” He said he was well known as the biggest “crack head” in Grand Bay.
He told the story of always being more drunk than sober in school, getting into trouble and being used as a lesson by even the smallest children in his community.
He said he acquired his house, vehicle and other material things early in life, “but I also lost them very young.”
But he was able to become executive officer and a head of department in the ministry of Finance, department supervisor at Whitchurch Supermarket, founding member and manager of the Grand Bay Credit Union as well as a keen sportsman. He is currently a basketball coach.
Today he is the Executive Director of Wisdom To Know (WTK) which is a “half-way” house that has provided a safe haven for some 120 recovering drug and alcohol addicts.
The facility was founded seven years ago when he came out of his addiction and is currently being housed at the old scout’s headquarters in Roseau.
Liverpool is the holder of a certificate in Public administration from the University School of Continuing Studies, holds an associate degree in Criminal justice from Monroe community college, did a foundation course in Counselling at the University of the West Indies School of Continuing studies.
He is also a secretary in the Caribbean Male Action Network (CARIMAN) among others.
An emotional Liverpoool urged men to pick and choose the testimonial which best pertains to them and work on it.
Reading this article made my day. It reminds me of Job. May the almighty continues to bless you both. Wow
I wonder what LL would say to you Mr. Henry. You don’t seem to be on your perch like he says.
A vortex of Outrage by the D/can people should be shown to the DFP strays who infiltrated the Authentic DLP after the death of two of it’s most recent stallwats.
Just as there was a vortex of UWP outrage an easydoor was shown to Ronnie there should be a nation outrage and the easydoor to SKrit et Al.
ex-President Aristide look alike. Congrats Stein ,I always think of you, moreso when I listen to DBS news and hear Curtis Mathew read LOL ! heaven help DBS recover from it’s losses of the 70′ and 80’s.
I am a critic for getting reed of those who do not cut it.
It’s really understanding of the expression “All men were not created equal” contrary to the creed All men were created equal.
Curtis Mathew needs to be reassigned.
I was thinking the same. I believe he said this in terms of support system. If u are home , everyone is around with u , u are never really alone, but in the us people go about their busy life everyday.
Bonti Liverpool should be proud of himself for using his life experiences to help keep other young boys from the trap of illegal drugs and alcohol. These days, alcohol is being promoted so much to our young people that it will take strong systems to keep them from becoming addicts.
May God help us.
It was useful for Stein to share his story of going blind while in his 50s. Generally, people think one is born blind but the fact is anyone can become blind at any age. If this is understood, the level of greed, jealousy and selfishness that has gripped this World would lessen.
Afterall, money cannot buy sight when it is gone.
Stein , God’s grace is sufficient for you THE LORD in his wisdom and mercies has made you through your infirmities a Blessing and Inspiration to others . May God Bless, guide and keep you always.
Steinberg Henry is one of Dominica’s most articulate and brilliant sons. Monty is a positive role model for our young distressed men.
So proud of you Stein ,you never gave up .I know you also learnt to play the guitar
We can all call them The Overcomers. I remember camping with Steinberg in the 80’s What a nice person this man is. People when someone comes to your mine it`s time to seek God on their behalf. Some years ago I was wandering where have all those good people gone? We really enjoyed camp in our youth. Thank God you did good Steinberg. Bonti is another blessing. More Grace to both of you.
Stein, my former teacher and friend in Possie where we call you Stain. It’s nice meeting you again. Courage brother courage.
The Silver, I am very impressed, you have overcome the worst, the beauty of it all “Fred Henry” your father is that you are not sitting there asking why me, feeling sorry for yourself.
Had it not been for the place of your birth, you would not be blinded by glaucoma which is a treatable disease, surgery could have taken care of the problem it is early stages. Incidentally, your father had a similar problem, he had an eye stigma which rendered him color blind.
If you have taken all of his smarts, Fred was a very brilliant man, as well as your mother, when they attended Secondary School, in those days only the very best of the educationally could go the high school. Your father, and Simon Richards, our nations first Ambassador, when they would return to Wesley during the end of the semester. The would meat at the four Conner where the police station is now located.
They would take turn reading from various newspapers, crowds of people who attended service from both the Methodist and Roman Catholic church would congregate, stand there for an hour or two just to listen to them read, and explain what they read in the papers. I was fascinated with how they present and articulated themselves.
Hence, we affectionately called father ” F. A.’ our Coldburg, which his father James Henry called him. In any event, Fred and Simon became the roll model for the majority of the youths in the village in that era, and time, we all wanted to be like them. Something from your father rubbed off on me, and he discovered it when he said to me one day I am impressed with your English; perfect, I responded ” I took that from you.” A few days later Arnold Telemaque say me reading a novel, and ask me to let him see it, I handed it to him, he went through a couple pages and handed the novel back to me, and said “you are going to make it” whatever he meant by that, I figure something good, no need to say after he spoke those to me combined what you father said to me I began to crave education.
I can safely say your dad Fred Coldburg Henry, Simon Richards, and Arnold Telemaque, also Vincent Derrick of Antigua, one of there owners of Observer Radio, who once said to me “what is the difference between you and I”, I worked with him, and one day he asks me to do something, and I told him I was not capable of doing what he was asking me to do, he motivated me, hence the path I traveled since is history. Today I boast two bachelors in science degree in the field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, along with an Associate in Science (AS ) in Electronics, and an Associate (AA) in Arts, in the Liberal Arts.
I wish you all the best in life, and by the way you are an image of your late father.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Stein and Bonti you both are miraculous
God controls our destiny but we have a big role to play in our lives.
God’s guidance my brothers.
I concur! God has out destiny in mind but we can easily short circuit it. But God is a God of chances. We can also accomplish what God has predestined for us by living according to His will for our lives. Most often our MESS can be turned into a powerful MESSAGE. Don’t forget Moses was a murderer, Paul was a serial killer and David was dismissed and looked down upon. God is an awesome God!!
Congratulations on you overcoming your drug addiction Mr. Liverpool. I know it’s hard but you will overcome. You were actually my first boss at the Grand Bay Credit Union and despite everything, I always admired your knowledge. There’s hope for my brother…thank God!!!
There is so much in that name Steinberg Henry. Precious name. So much that resides in just one man. We need Stein to impact our young men some more. Well done Mr Henry. Welcome back.
“He said this almost destroyed his life and to make matters worse, he added, he was not in Dominica but in Georgia in the United States of America”
From reading this small excerpt, I’m not sure how that made matters worse. But , I would dare say, thank God you were in America where you could learn to read Braille, type and use the computer for visually impaired. Your outcome may not have been the same given the same circumstances if you were in Dominica.
ALL I CAN SAY GODBLESS THEM
Oh Stan .. Courage never knew you were going through such pain.. Just remember Job in the bible.. This should at least give you some strength. Your friend….. And also your DBS fan
I am so proud to call you my friend Steinberg . Cannot wait to link up when you are back. More blessings my brother.
Both gentlemen are an inspiration to others.
Note to D
I have heard Bonti Liverpool’s many times before and I call my children to hear it every time. That such extraordinary strength, fortitude and goodness can reside in one man, I cannot believe.