I was born Karen Anne Hall to a wonderful family comprising of my mother and grandmother and uncle and assorted number of friends and relatives.who accepted me as I am. A child born with a congenital disability.

The life journey was stormy, often riddled with eruptions of volcanic proportions. Hemmed in from every side all I could do was wade through until I find a flickering light. Change was my constant, here today,and there tomorrow.

My flickering light was education. Free education I embraced then struck out paid ones I could not afford. Acceptance in society was limited and sporadic just like that flickering candle in the wind they were short and quickly burned out. Many scholarships I applied for until one was approved.

Ear to the ground I listed for opportunities. Ones people told people never me though. viewed as half a woman- a spoiled identity ignored when it truly mattered.

Volunteer a bit here and volunteered a bit there -labour in exchange for training and work experience. Slowly and painfully struggled to carve my path through the the tsunami of discrimination, ignorance and segregation.

Today I stand before you a qualified educator, an advocate and a warrior for social revolutions where I join with like minded souls to scroll back the waves of poverty and lack of equity as it dissipates in the face of determination, self assurance and endurance.