UWI grad dedicates degree to late mother

As Shante Lewis sat intently watching her virtual graduation ceremony last Thursday from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, she could not shake the feeling that her mother should be present to share in the celebratory moment.

Her mother, Vandora McCubbin-Lewis, passed away in April 2018, just four days before Lewis was to sit her first-year final exams. Lewis said that she initially lost the drive to continue her studies, as her mother was her source of strength.

"I questioned myself many times along the journey, if it was meant to be, if this was for me, if I would make it through. Mommy's death didn't only impact that season but has been impacting me ever since. I have learned and vowed to use the loss as my motivation rather than to give up on my dreams. I now honour her in all my endeavours; I do it for her," she said.

Lewis, who received her degree in physical therapy, transitioned to UWI after she attended The Hampton School when the family moved to St Elizabeth. But though she was initially accepted into the highly sought-after bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery programme, her parents were not able to secure the J$3.1 million tuition. But her passion for physical therapy was soon recognised after her grandmother, Ballzoon McCubbin, suffered a stroke and had to be placed in a physiotherapist's care.

Gut-wrenching phone call

All was going fine and at the end of first year, Lewis was scheduled to sit 12 exams, as well as complete her cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. However, the gut-wrenching phone call about her mother's passing rocked her world. She would either have to do the exams or resit the year.

"The latter of which was not up for debate. I was not going to sit out a year because I didn't know where the money was going to come from to fund it, plus I was already this far," she said.

Lewis said she persevered, with the support of relatives, friends and lecturers. She had to help with funeral preparations, making trips between home and Kingston even while studying.

"We buried her on Mother's Day, May 13, 2018; three days after my 21st birthday. I had an exam the following day. I walked into that exam 28 minutes late with only my ID. I hadn't studied and I was nowhere near prepared for it. My friends gave an invigilator a pen and a pencil to take to me when I got in and I went to work circling answers I felt were correct. I sat all my exams in a mental and emotional state I didn't know existed," Lewis shared. But Lewis is grateful she did not give up as her mother always reminded her that "all I need to do is my best ... and that she was proud of me". I completed my journey for me but also for her," she said.