Trinidad and Tobago: If Corporal Maurice Williams had his way, he would make the world an all-inclusive one full of embrace, support and love, particularly for those who are seemingly overlooked, undervalued and neglected.
For the past six months, Cpl Williams has been mentoring 18-year-old Daniel Gulston who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome is a syndrome in which baby is born with copy of the21st chromosome which causes physical and mental disabilities, developmental delays.
Gulston, however, always had an affinity for animals and dreams of becoming a mounted officer within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
With this in mind, the Down Syndrome Family Network (DSFN) and the Executive of the TTPS, began Gulston’s ride to his dream with a mentorship programme, in which he learned to groom, feed, walk, and bond with horses – crucial skills for any horse rider.
During the sessions, Gulston interacted with Police Horses Hamlet and Ichabod, who are warm bloods with a very calm temperament.
Though this was his first mentorship of such a kind, Cpl Williams have over the years trained citizens on the do’s and don’ts of horse riding and care.
Of his 19 years with the TTPS, 16 were at the Mounted Branch where he trained police officers of all ranks to become “competent” police mounted officers, including senior officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force to take charge of the Independence Day parade while mounted on a horse. The corporal also trains civilians who participate almost daily in the riding programme.
“I think disability or Down syndrome awareness should be introduced into the training of a police officer, therefore increasing the understanding and appreciation for those with disabilities and down syndrome,” Cpl Williams said.
He added, “However, at this juncture, it would be very helpful if police officers from every division, section and branch be lectured to and informed about down syndrome and all other disabilities, to achieve a high level of professionalism in executing their duties and make the world a more inclusive one as it comes to our fellowmen with disabilities or down syndrome.”
Cpl Williams, who is “fully” supported by his “beautiful” wife, Camille, said his favourite part of working with Gulston was “seeing Daniel happy and hearing him laugh.”
A father of two, Sydney, 16, and Prince, 10, he revealed, “I used my fatherhood skills during this mentorship programme to also instill morals, values, respect for others and a better appreciation for life, especially during the pandemic where the death tolls were so high.”
“When I was chosen to facilitate the mentorship programme by Superintendent Hospedales, who I also trained to become a competent horseback rider, I was very excited about this new programme, which I believe can only empower youths.”
Saying there were “no challenges” with the mentorship as he had a “very, very supportive team at the Police Mounted Branch,” he said, “Here, we are each other’s keeper and we have unity, which is our strength.”
