4-y-o enjoying life without arms

When Abigail Blake was 17, the joy of welcoming her baby boy Qwayne Brissette into the world was initially short-lived.

That's because Qwayne was born without arms, and at the time, Blake was shocked and confused.

Her mother Angela Stephens said her daughter ran to her in panic but she was able to calm her down after speaking to the nurse.

"I follow her go by the hospital. When she do the delivery, she run out and said 'Mommy, mommy, the baby don't born with no hands'. I said to her if that is the problem, that is no problem. I followed her back in and called a nurse and asked her if she had a child like this, what would she do, and she said she would not do anything because he is okay, it is just that he is born without limbs," she said.

Growing up, the family noticed that fingers were growing where Qwayne's arms should have been, and even though doctors presented the option of removing them, the family declined.

Stephens told THE STAR that she ensured that her daughter and grandson feel loved and have the support they need.

Now four years old, Blake said Qwayne is very vibrant at home but is reserved in public. His enthusiasm could be heard over the phone as his mother spoke to THE STAR.

Wanting a chance to talk, Blake allowed him to speak to the news team.

When THE STAR asked him how he was doing, he replied: "I am fine, thank you."

She said that he attends the Cornwall Gardens Basic School in Mount Salem, St James, where she resides, and she is grateful for the children who are around him daily.

She said many times the children are excited about helping him and ensuring that he is well.

"The kids dem always help him. When mi go school for him, dem seh 'Qwayne mommy, see him lunch kit here or see him bag here, a me feed him today, enuh'," she laughed. "They always play with him and mek him feel alright man."

No bother

Qwayne replied in the background; "Mommy, me and dem play rough, me run fast wid dem."

Not having arms is no bother to young Qwayne, as his grandmother explains that he is able to do things on his own without being taught.

She said for a while she got the impression he did not realise he did not have any hands.

"We don't show him how to do anything. He just grow up and know what to do. Him eat and drink with his feet. I was even thinking that he didn't notice that he didn't have any hand. It was last week he said to me: Mommy, when mi get mi arms, I am going to stop using my feet and use me arms. And we start telling him Qwayne you have no arms and he said 'Father tek the case and give me the pilla', she laughed.

"Mi always put blanket inna him bag so when a writing time, they put it out and him sit down on the ground and write," Blake said.

Stephens said they tell Qwayne daily that he is loved and that he is a normal boy.

"He prays a lot as well when he is going to his bed. Wi tell him all the while that nothing is wrong with him and we love him and he is fine and he is like 'okay', said Stephens.