Cape Town - Jason Richardson received no special treatment. This is what the University of the Western Cape (UWC) graduate, who has cerebral palsy, attributed to his success.
Richardson told the Cape Argus the fact that his family never gave him any special treatment gave him the drive to reach for his dreams.
On Wednesday, Richardson graduated with a BA in linguistics from UWC.
“I am the youngest of five children, but I was not babied because I’m the youngest and have cerebral palsy.
“My siblings and my parents always encouraged me to think for myself and to do things for myself and that has helped me tremendously in my life.”
Richardson, 22, of Summer Greens, attended the Vista Nova School and, while still at school, had the opportunity to attend a writing course in New York.
“I was accepted based on an essay I wrote in Grade 11. I got to work with a National Geographic writer, Simon Worrall. It was an amazing experience.”
He said the trip piqued his interest in journalism, a career prospect he might still consider. He has also started working as a tutor while he pursues his Honours degree in linguistics.
“I am the type of person who does not think out of the box, I tear up the box.
“I don’t think that having cerebral palsy makes me different. I see it as an extra characteristic.”
More than 4 000 students are graduating from UWC this week.
This includes 63 Doctoral degrees, 246 Master’s degrees, 599 Honours degrees, 2 716 undergraduate degrees, 375 Diplomas and 296 Certificates.
The institution is also conferring honorary doctorates on four candidates.
They are the co-founder and director of Brimstone Investment Corporation Limited, Fred Robertson, entrepreneur and executive chairman of Grand Parade Investments, Hassen Adams, director of the South African National Editors’ Forum and manager of Media 24’s Journalism academy, Mathatha Tsedu, and priest and social justice activist Father Alan Michael Lapsley.
At a graduation ceremony earlier this week where Robertson’s honorary degree was conferred, he said: “I am humbled, and I accept this extraordinary honour with great humility and pride.
“I promise to uphold the values of the institution and commit to being a selfless servant of the University of the Western Cape.”
Graduation is scheduled to conclude on Saturday.
Cape Argus
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