Lloyd Griffith, from headmaster to blind advocate

May 18, 2008 News

By Yannason Duncan

He describes himself as “friendly and easy to approach,” but 59-year-old visually impaired Lloyd Griffith, of Suddie Village, Essequibo Coast, is a firm believer in the common term, “there are some things in life that cannot be changed”.

One of these things is his blindness.

I recently caught up with my former headmaster, and obliginly he welcomed this interview. He recalled the year 2000 and said that he would never forget it. It was a year, he said, that he realized his worst fears after a visit to his ophthalmologist in Georgetown.

Prior to that visit he experienced blurry vision. According to Mr. Griffith, he underwent a routine eye check, which involved staring at a bright light. He saw the colours of the rainbow, instead, and he knew then that something was wrong. He said that, months later, all hope disappeared when he became blind and was forced to retire as Headmaster of the Bartica Government Secondary School.
According to Lloyd Griffith, immediately he became disillusioned, totally overwhelmed with feelings of anger and bitterness.

Mr. Griffith said that he resented becoming dependent on people’s constant assistance. People had to do almost everything for him. However, his sorrows were soon replaced with the strong support of his wife of thirty-one years, Mrs. Norma Griffith — who is the Headmistress of the Taymouth Manor Primary School — their four children and friends.

Mr. Lloyd Griffith was born and raised in Johanna Cecilia, and began his early education at the Johanna Cecilia Methodist School, which is now called the Johanna Cecilia Primary School.

After his primary education, he did a stint at the Anna Regina Post Office, where he worked as a part-time postman two days a week. He wouldn’t remain a postman for too long, and in 1965 he opted for a teaching job at the then St. John’s Anglican School, which has since been renamed the Suddie Primary School.

Being ambitious and having a love for knowledge, he attended the Government Training College in Georgetown, between 1969 and 1971, and secured a Certificate in Physical Education. He also became the proud recipient of two degrees from the University of Guyana, one in Business Administration and the other in Education.

This warm-hearted and outspoken individual was to hold positions as Deputy Headmaster and Headmaster of various primary and secondary schools countrywide over his 33-year teaching career.
Today, despite being blind, Mr. Lloyd Griffith approaches life with much enthusiasm and zeal. He serves as Chairman of the Guyana People’s Organization and is also a committee member of the Community Based Rehabilitation Centre.

In 2005 Mr. Griffith and two other members approached President Bharrat Jagdeo in the quest for a centre, which became a reality the following year. He also works as a facilitator and volunteer. Mr. Griffith said he is constantly involved in training sessions and workshops, and at present he is training advocate to disabled persons in Region Two. He is encouraging persons not to laugh at people with disability.

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Lloyd Griffith, from headmaster to blind advocate

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