Karlene Rickard - He Speaks

This week sees the annual celebration of International Women's Day on Thursday 8th March. There will be a number of events held across the world to remember and acknowledge the contribution of all women - past, present and future.

Over the month on the OBV website, we will be profiling a number of women, some who will have a high profile, others less so, but all with a story to tell. Today, we speak to Karlene Rickard, who has experience working with young people and parents across different continents. She has also battled paralysis and other personal issues but has survived to tell the story of her life in her autobiography 'He Speaks'.

Rhona Asmah spoke with Karlene about her life experience, inspiring other women and also gives her thoughts on the young people of today.

What has happened to our kids?’

That was the question on everyone’s lips during the riots last August which saw mainly young people take to the streets, appearing to show disregard for the law and taking part in wanton looting. Countless experts and politicians have had their say regarding the reasons behind the unrest. Earlier in the year, David Lammy MP unwisely implied that the youth who took part in the riots did so because of a lack of physical discipline at home.

Another school of thought is the lack of cultural awareness and faith in God amongst today’s youth. Author Karlene Rickard, who is also a parent facilitator, trainer and counsellor with over 20 years experience of working in the UK and abroad, believes this could be one of the reasons why today's youth have a lack of disregard for authority, especially the police.

Rickard recently published her inspirational memoir 'He Speaks', in which she details how she overcame many challenges and survived the trauma of sudden and total paralysis from the neck downwards.

Speaking on the issue on the young people of today, she said,

"There needs to be a setting of standards and boundaries. With technology and media it’s becoming increasingly hard to monitor your kids and what they are exposing themselves to through these forums. Also children need to be going to Church. In my generation there was a big emphasis on God that seems to have been lost in this generation."

Rickard is a big believer in the power of role models, saying that parents should make children aware of individuals from the Black community and the positive contribution they have made in both their communities and across the world.

She added,

“Parents should communicate effectively with their children, setting boundaries and play an effective role in their education.” Rickard revealed that she had been writing down her ideas over a period of time, but not with the intention to publish a book. Her faith in God to lead a fulfilling life despite her setbacks prompted her to put her thoughts and notes into a book."

He Speaks is a memoir charting the many ups and downs of Rickard’s life. From moving continents to raising a child to losing use of her legs and raising her son: these all make up the many personal stories of this book, whilst the essence of it still remains universal. With tales of success, sudden change, loss and family life, her book has something for all of us and has already had the desired effect on at least one reader.

Rickard recalls a story about someone she met who was facing difficulties in her quest to become a psychologist.

“She was studying to be psychologist to make a contribution to her community but was finding the process extremely stressful. But after reading the book and hearing how I had to deal with paralysis and still managed to train as a teacher encouraged the lady and she decided to pull through and continue her studies.”

Rickard has had a tough but fulfilling life, and lives by the following rules, ‘To pray, to reflect, not to be haste and listen and give time to our children.’

Rhona Asmah