Down’s syndrome no handicap for this award-winner

from The New Age by Maryna van Wyk:

Sheri Brynard, a 30-year-old teacher’s assistant from Bloemfontein, who has Down’s syndrome, has become the voice of people suffering from the condition and a beacon of hope for parents of children with disabilities.

The pinnacle of her success was realised when she became the first disabled person in South Africa to have won in one of the categories in the Checkers Women of the Year Awards. She was crowned the winner in the category for youth workers at a prestigious event in Johannesburg, held on Saturday night, and received a standing ovation.

Susette Brynard, her mother, said yesterday the weekend was a very spiritual experience.

“I know miracles still happen when I look at her. She must be one of God’s favourite children because he gave her a responsibility to act on behalf of disabled people. She lives a daily life full of challenges and despite this, can contribute to the lives of others,” she said.

Shéri has set new boundaries for people with Down’s Syndrome when she qualified as an assistant teacher at Lettie Fouche School, in Bloemfontein. She is also a motivational speaker locally and abroad.

She’s the first and only person in the country with Down’s syndrome to have received a tertiary qualification, after she graduated from the technical college in Bloemfontein. She was also the first child with Down’s syndrome to attend and successfully graduate from a mainstream school, aged 21.

Shéri, who looked different from the other pupils, had to endure mockery and exclusion, but did not allow setbacks in her life to stop her from achieving her goals.

Competition spokesperson, Patti Quinton, said Shéri’s achievements had changed perceptions about people with intellectual disabilities. Because of her progress, schools are now more willing to give pupils with Down’s syndrome a chance in mainstream classes.

Shéri recently passed an audition for a role in the television series Binneland.

As part of the award, she won R30000 as well as R100000 for the charity of her choice.

Self Advocate Sheri Brynard's Accomplishments

From The Star:

During the 17th Annual Hamlet Foundation National Awards Ceremony held last week in Johannesburg, Sheri Brynard of Bloemfontein was awarded the President Award for her achievements and work she does in the field of mentally disabled South Africans.

The Hamlet Foundation was founded in 1954 by a group of parents whose children were exempted from normal schooling and today it runs a school for intellectually disabled children, a residential centre for intellectually disabled adults and a protective workshop for intellectually disabled adult workers. Annually, workers and people in the field of the intellectually disabled throughout South Africa are rewarded at a gala night, which also serves as a fundraiser.

Sheri has Down Syndrome and has excelled academically like no other person with Down Syndrome in South Africa. She received her National N3 Matric certificate and went on to complete her N4 and N5 National Diploma in Educare.

Her papers were set and marked nationally and nobody could help her in any way. She also received the highest prestige award from the SA Downs Association, for academic achievement by a person with Down Syndrome, from Hellen Zille.

Sheri has achieved culturally, by being the first person with Down Syndrome to achieve the highest honour in Provincial and National eisteddfods between normal learners.

She has done 90 motivational talks nationally and internationally. She changes people's perspectives of persons with Down Syndrome. She is the ambassador for all people with Down Syndrome in South Africa and serves on the international Down Syndrome board.

Sheri is the only person with Down Syndrome to have a National Educational Diploma where she can pursue her occupation. She is an assistant teacher at a special school.

She also facilitates the self advocacy movement in the Free State.

She has shown that with determination, a positive attitude and a very strong will, one can overcome many obstacles and still reach those goals you set out to achieve. “My mother and my father always expected me to do my best and they supported and helped me to stay motivated every step of the way,” says Sheri.

Sheri Brynard's Graduation Speech: