After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis at just 24, Joshuanette Francis turned her challenges into triumphs by founding Good Humans 268, a non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities in Antigua. With initiatives that promote accessibility and recycling, Joshuanette has become a beacon of hope for many, advocating for equitable treatment and social inclusion while navigating her own struggles with the condition.
Hiking Beyond Limitations: Joshuanette Francis’s Journey of Advocacy and Change
Hiking Beyond Limitations: Joshuanette Francis’s Journey of Advocacy and Change
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis at a young age, Joshuanette Francis transforms personal adversity into a crusade for disability rights in Antigua.
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis at 24, Joshuanette Francis is a living testament to resilience and advocacy in the face of personal and societal challenges. Following her diagnosis, Joshuanette, who feared losing her mobility by age 40, embarked on a mission to explore every hiking trail and beach on her native island of Antigua, documenting her journey on YouTube.
Despite her positive demeanor online, Joshuanette faced significant struggles behind the scenes, including job loss linked to her condition and the subsequent loss of her mortgage and aspirations for homeownership. However, her unwavering spirit has transformed her journey into a powerful advocacy platform, leading her to establish Good Humans 268 in 2023. This burgeoning non-profit aims to uplift those living with disabilities in a nation where access to necessary resources remains precarious.
Joshuanette's passion is driven by her personal experiences; she recognizes the compounded challenges faced by those with more severe disabilities. The organization's work encompasses a wide range of initiatives, from lobbying for an equal rights tribunal to combat systemic discrimination, to launching a recycling program that employs locals with disabilities.
The latter has succeeded in over 80 local schools and has diverted an immense amount of waste from landfills while creating job opportunities. Many have been inspired by Joshuanette's vision, including Kelisha Pigott, who credits her newfound confidence to the support from Good Humans and is now pursuing a degree in tourism management.
Empowering local voices, Good Humans also tackled infrastructure issues such as advocating for wheelchair-accessible facilities in schools. Joshuanette’s commitment to equity is emphasized by her insistence on creating inclusive environments. "People with disabilities must be able to do the same things everyone else can," she asserts passionately.
Future plans for Good Humans include expanding its recycling efforts to private households and establishing a dedicated center to further its mission. Yet, Joshuanette remains acutely aware of the challenges; navigating the urban landscape of St John's, where infrastructure often neglects accessibility, highlights the urgency for change.
Bernard Warner, head of the local disability association, echoes this concern, emphasizing the lack of enforceable protections under existing legislation designed to uphold the rights of disabled individuals. The societal apathy towards disability access, he remarks, leads to severe discrimination and exclusion from employment opportunities.
Joshuanette and Bernard's shared vision of a more inclusive society extends to educational institutions like the Victory Centre, where hopes are high for graduates to transition into fulfilling roles within Good Humans. They believe creating supportive pathways is vital to countering the bleak reality many adults with disabilities face upon leaving specialized education.
Mental health, as Joshuanette highlights, is an integral aspect of disability awareness. Even as she strives toward her goals, she battles personal challenges, including financial instability and the mental toll of her experiences. Yet, her invaluable work continues to inspire change as she encourages meaningful conversations around disability rights.
Joshuanette's journey stands as a reminder that even the toughest battles can lead to extraordinary progress, both personally and for a more equitable society. Her unwavering belief that change will come through conversations about disability and advocacy embodies her relentless spirit to fight for a brighter future.
