21st September 2024 – See full programme here.
Gina has been a Foundation member since 1989. She and her husband Bobby (Ishmael) drove from Point Fortin to St. Helena Village, Piarco, for our monthly meeting. Her sister Lana and a friend also attended meetings and Lana became a member of the executive in 1991.
They were involved in all our events, for example, Christmas Parties and Family Days. Later on we organized weeks and then months of awareness activities. Now, the only autism walk is held in Point Fortin during April.
Gina has attended and made use of the training workshops since 1999. These have been facilitated by autism experts from the USA, Canada and the UK.
This prompted her to start the The Life Skills Centre in 2003. Sadly she lost her husband in 1999 and then her son, Rance in 2015 but continued what many called “Gina’s school”. She became Centre Manager a few years ago. Her other son, Rainier volunteers while his wife Reshma is a Tutor at the centre.
Gina contributed to our 20-minute DVD which can be found on our website and on YouTube: “Autism: a silver lining” which won awards locally and in the Caribbean.
In 2008 we started a week-long day camp for the children and adults with Camp Director, Sara Stephens, OT who has since left Trinidad. Gina was the Assistant Camp director. From 2010 she became camp director and now she organizes camps at Point Fortin.
In 2014 the Certificate programme started, facilitated by Kari Dunn Buron, and Gina has the Advanced Certificate so she has the expertise to conduct autism training. She is the Resource person and representative in the St. Patrick area.
In 2016 with the support of the Soroptimist International (San Fernando branch) she and the staff at ASTT’s Point Fortin centre assisted in monthly sessions in San Fernando.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we appealed for help to get smart devices so that we could continue to support our members virtually. We even organized online camp sessions in 2021 and 2022.
The Annual Autism Walk to increase awareness and acceptance of autism takes place in Point Fortin in April. The entire community supports this event.
On behalf of the Board members and the families of ASTT, I wish Gina good health and a happy retirement. Just the other day she was asked to meet a family to listen to their concerns about their child, so I know that she will continue to be our autism resource person in Point Fortin and environs.
I don’t think any of us can truly “retire” from helping others understand and cope with autism!
Best Wishes – Tere (President,ASTT)
Here are some tributes from ASTT
From RoseAnna (our Treasurer)
I first met Gina when Rebecca and I joined ASTT in 1994. Whenever we went to any get together or outing, Gina and her husband Bobby, were always there with Rance in their big motor car. Rebecca loved to climb into the car and play with Gina’s husband’s beard and he was always so patient and kind with her. Gina and her family made us feel very welcome and part of the society.
After Gina’s husband passed she and Rance continued to drive from Pt Fortin to attend all our gatherings.
Gina was a great support to our families in South especially Mrs Copeland and Gabrielle her daughter who started the South Support group. Eventually Gina decided to start a school in Pt Fortin so families from the area would have support that was closer to home.
She continued to serve on the executive of ASTT and attended our monthly meetings arriving before everyone else even though she came the furthest. Gina stopped driving but still took public transport to come to all the executive meetings held in the North at Autism Place, something that always impressed me and still does to today.
Even after Rance died she didn’t stop. She continued helping others at her school and all over the country, whenever and wherever there was an ASTT function Gina was there.
Gina thank you for being one of the founding members who never stopped serving and supporting families. Because of you ASTT is what it is today – A nationwide support for autistic persons and their families. May you enjoy your retirement but please never leave us.
From Amoy (Centre Manager at Autism Place)
Gina has been a source of strength, and hope to many. She became my rock as I started my journey coping with having a young son with autism, and we would spend hours talking daily into the wee hours of the morning. Whether it was guiding parents through the early days of diagnosis or helping them to become empowered, you have been a lighthouse in what can sometimes feel like stormy seas. Your work has never been just a job; it’s been a mission, one filled with compassion, patience, and boundless love.
From Nichol(former GM at ASTT)
It’s truly an honor to stand before you today as we celebrate and reflect on the incredible work and career of Gina Mohammed, a person who I love dearly and admire totally; whose dedication, patience, and compassion have touched the lives of so many, including mine. A founding member of the Autistic Society of T&T, The Life Skills Centre and a devoted mother, aunty, teacher, friend, and mentor.
When I think of what it means to be a teacher of persons with disabilities and autistic children and adults, I think of someone who goes beyond teaching subjects or skills. I think of someone who opens doors to new possibilities, someone who sees potential where others might see limits, and someone who gives their time, heart, and energy to make sure that each student feels valued, supported, and understood. And Gina, you have been all of that, and more!
For 34 years, you have been a guiding light, helping autistic persons and people with disabilities and their families navigate challenges and celebrate victories, no matter how big or small. You’ve shown patience when it was needed most, creativity when the traditional ways didn’t work, and resilience in the face of obstacles. You’ve shown all of us what it means to believe in every single person, regardless of the barriers they face.
Your centre is not just a place for learning. You have built a safe haven, where students and their parents could feel at home away from home, a non-judgmental space, to learn how to make friends and find support, express themselves, grow in knowledge and confidence, and discover the joy of learning in their own unique way. You helped people find their voices, advocated to for their human rights and taught them to do so as well, then you empowered them to thrive in a world that often doesn’t give them the recognition or support that they deserve.
It would be remiss of me not to mention, the support, friendship, love and comfort you gave to Edith and Jervan! May they both rest, united in perfect peace! You never turned your back, even when the challenges they faced seemed insurmountable, that is just who you are!
Beyond the centre, your influence has been just as remarkable, to the community of Point Fortin and beyond. The partnerships and networks you have built with families, friends, donors, small and big businesses, the mayor and mayor’s office, the police service and religious ministries; and of course, the awareness of autism that you have been instrumental in creating. Truly phenomenal!
You’ve been a mentor, a trusted colleague, a friend, and a mummy to so many of us. The lessons you’ve taught your students will remain with them for a lifetime, but the impact you’ve had on your peers is just as enduring.
As you step into this new chapter of your life, I know you will continue to inspire, to nurture, and to uplift those around you—because that’s who you are.
On behalf of us all, and especially the countless students and parents whose lives you’ve transformed, thank you. Thank you for your tireless dedication, your wisdom, your kindness, and the lasting legacy you leave behind.
I wish you all the joy and fulfilment in your retirement that you’ve brought into the lives of so many. You’ve certainly earned it. Congratulations Gina, you deserve to thoroughly enjoy this new phase of life!
From Jonas in the UK
Dear Gina,
You are a foundation stone. An immovable influence. Gently you yield to the many stones that come after you, so everything has you at it’s heart.
We are, all of us, placed with gratitude around you.
Jonas (Torrance) Behaviour Management Specialist
From Marilyn Moore (Speech & Language therapist) in Canada
Oh Gina….coming to Pt Fortin was always so much fun. Going to the grocery store and the bank with all the students and later on to the gym and the library. Your community outings are one example of your support and advocacy for your students.
I’ll never forget all the beautiful places I saw with you or how you “DROVE” me around. And let’s not forget the food!!
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. Look forward to seeing you again.
Cheers and may your glass be half full
Marilyn
Many of our training workshops were facilitated by Kari Dunn Buron, now world famous,-books include the 5 Point scale, When my autism gets too big, and text books on Autism
From KariDunn Buron -Autism Resource Specialist
Oh my goodness! Gina was one of the first people I met in Trinidad in 1991. From the first time I met Gina, she was one of my most consistently present students, and a devoted friend. Her laughter was contagious and always welcome in good times and the rough times. She was able to find humour everywhere and that is not only an endearing trait, but also the foundation of her resilience. As a founding member, Gina worked tirelessly to advocate for her own child and all of the children and adults of Point Fortin. She built a school and tirelessly worked to see it succeed. I was always pleasantly surprised to see the outcome of her work in the successes and friendships between the students. Gina gave her heart and soul to the school, as well as all of our training efforts over the years.
Gina was always a great host for visiting dignitaries like me (ha ha). She has been so much a part of my Trinidadian experience that it is hard to think about what life in Trini would be without her. Gina always has an embarrassing story to tell others about me and they are almost always true. I assume she will still be laughing and available for a visit when I get myself down there again.
Love and a much deserved Congratulations to Gina!
Kari
Hi
I am attaching a social story I wrote about retirement you can print and give to Gina at the celebration. What a momentous day!
Joyce Santo-Autism Resource Specialist
Social Story from Joyce Santo
Mixed Emotions
Sometimes people can feel happy, sad, worried and excited all at the same time. This is called having mixed emotions. It often happens when someone is facing a big change in their life. It happens to a lot of people.
Retirement is usually a time when people feel mixed emotions. People often feel happy and excited about all the time they are going to have to enjoy the things they like to do or try out new things. Most people enjoy being able to stay up late to finish a great book they are reading or movie they are watching and not have to set an alarm clock. It can be a wonderful feeling to look at a calendar filled with blank pages to fill with whatever one wants to do. Retired people also sometimes feel sad thinking about missing all the things they enjoyed about their job and the wonderful children, families and colleagues they worked with.
It’s O.K. to feel all of these emotions, one at a time or all at once even if it gets to be overwhelming at times.
- I can try to remember to take a deep breath and feel the feelings.
- I can try to remember that I have great memories to relive and enjoy, at least until I am really old and lose my memory but that’s another social story.
- I can still connect with colleagues that have become friends.
- I can try to be the best retired person I am meant to be.
My old friends will help me by being good retirement models and providing individual consultation if needed. We are here for you!
Santo 6/7/24
The persons from Point Fortin who spoke were
1) Clifton Thompson
2) Constable Bertrand
3) Suzette Neptune Fortune-parent and Board member
4) Quincy Joseph
5) Gemma Pierre
6 Uncle David
7) Christopher Peiping- Business man