Starchild

by Michaela Foster Marsh

  A Rangers footballer and a Christmas angel

  EPILOGUE

  A Growing Legacy

  Starchild believes our school for the creative arts can have a significant impact on the lives of those it touches. International artists will learn a great deal from Ugandan arts and culture, which is encouraged and promoted through our program. We are optimistic that it will attract the attention of the international community and, as a result, encourage artists from all walks of life to visit the school, participate in activities, and inspire the children.

  We also hope some people might consider a scholarship fund or trust fund to help further the education of a particularly talented child who has no way of paying for further training in their subject.

  Starchild has artists from all disciplines ready and willing to work with the children. We hope this network will grow quickly. On top of the experiences these artists will bring to the students in an artist residency program at the school, the artists will participate in an exchange of talents and skills in the local community with local people. They will take back to their homelands what they have learned, equipped to build cultural understanding and act as ambassadors of peace and healing through the arts.

  Since opening the doors of our school, it has become apparent that the most marginalized and vulnerable, especially those with autistic spectrum disorders and physical disabilities, are still unable to access any formal or informal route of education in Uganda. It came quickly to our attention that due to misguided and inherited belief systems, individuals are still being shunned by their local communities and denied their rights because of their disabilities. The behavior of autistic children, in particular, is not understood by family members, teachers, and the community. This leads to fear and rejection.

  Most women who give birth to a child with a disability are abandoned by their husbands in the belief that the woman and child are cursed. If a mother has to go to work and has no one to help, she has no choice but to tie up the child when she leaves in case they wander off or are raped. Usually they are hidden somewhere so people can’t find them or even know about them. Many of these boys and girls suffer rape and ridicule on a regular basis sometimes by people in the community, sometimes by family members. It is not unusual for such children to be locked up or chained in dark rooms and left there for days, often stagnant in their own feces.

  The government of Uganda does have all kinds of positive polices for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. However, Starchild has seen little evidence of these policies actually being implemented, especially for the poorer in society. The number of advocates and local charities for people with disabilities in Uganda is growing and we have partnered with some of them. We recognize that many citizens have limited access to information and the necessary training to offer assistance and sensitization for these often hidden, marginalized groups, in particular those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  On my last visit to Uganda it became apparent that there is a need for a holistic center, particularly for these women and their children, but also for their families. They need a place where they can come together to share their fears and challenges and where their children can feel safe and valued. The misconceptions and feelings of isolation need to be addressed as a whole.

  Claes, Jessica, and Rony

  I have most certainly overcome my fear of head teachers and now work closely with a number of wonderful head teachers in local schools. One of those schools is Williamwood High School in Glasgow. Thanks to my dear friend, Angela Smyth, I was introduced to a unique service at this school called the Communication Support Service for Autism. Starchild has since developed close links with them. We have even made a short film with this remarkable group, We See the World Differently. Parents, teachers and pupils came together to talk openly about autism, the challenges, and the joys. The film was shortlisted at the Scottish Short Film Festival Awards. The pupils also produced a small book for Starchild where they wrote about how they feel. It is our hope that these tools will help us breakdown the myths about autism. These pupils also support a child’s right to secondary education in Uganda and have learned so much about what it means to be a “global citizen.”

  Starchild is now in the developmental stages of building a holistic sanctuary to help support families and children affected by autism and disabilities.

  Our holistic sanctuary is going to be called the Sunflower Sanctuary in memory of my darling Rony Bridges who died into the next life on July 14th, 2019.

  Rony loved sunflowers and children with autism.

  Three weeks before Rony died, Frankie came to me in a dream and told me I would soon be planting sunflowers. He said he would be holding my hand all the way. He hugged me very tightly and told me I was going to have to be stronger than I had ever been in my entire life. I knew that Frankie was telling me I was soon to lose the love of my life.

  A month after Rony died, much to my surprise, Jessica Norrby offered Starchild some land to build our dream sanctuary on the banks of the River Nile beside The Mango Tree School. I could hardly believe it. Rony and I absolutely loved it there!

  We hope over time, with more funds, our sanctuary could become a dedicated center, enhancing educational, vocational and social skills for this most marginalized group. Such a center could offer effective teaching and emotional behavioral therapists. If nothing else, it could offer some hope, some joy, and a break from the environment they are in. Most of these children love arts, crafts and music.

  With the right trainers we could potentially help keep families together by sensitization and breaking down the horrendous myths and stigmas. No matter the emotional, physical or mental challenges of a child, there are ways to find the star in every child and to help them to shine.

  As I write this, I am planning a trip to Uganda to scatter some of Rony’s ashes at the place where we plan to build the Starchild Sunflower Sanctuary in his memory. Our young Ambassador Cormac O’Hara who has autism has already gifted me sunflower seeds to plant in his memory. I was told these sunflowers would be “spectacular!” How could I expect anything else—my darling Rony most certainly was!

  If this book has found its way into your hands, and you feel you would like to help us to continue the work we do in any way, Starchild would love to hear from you. I hope you will have a look at our website and contact us at www.starchildcharity.org

  Acknowledgements

  I could have never written this book without the encouragement, support and love of my angel Rony Bridges. Every book needs a spine and you were it, babe! You fed me, poured me wine, talked, listening and read, again and again my scribbles until I finally shaped them into this memoir. I miss you every single second ,my beautiful angel. But I know you are creating Magic in the Universe.

  Lynn Campbell, there wouldn’t be Starchild Charity without you. Your support is invaluable. You are indeed my KMSB!

  Esther Jamieson, for reading the earliest of drafts and offering some generous editing assistance.

  Anna Ross, your Ferrero Rocher and wine will be forever appreciated, as are you my friend.

  Jessica Norrby, my soul sister on this earth! You are an inspiration to this muzungu!

  Helen Sedgwick, for being such a great first editor. Thank you for believing in me as a writer and encouraging me to change the title to Starchild. It was so obvious, I couldn’t see it!

  John Adcox, for suggesting I send my books to The Story Plant. The rest is history as they say! Here’s to—following your bliss.

  Lou Aronica, for believing my story should be heard and for your nurturing guidance.

  Candace Shafer, for being the loveliest of copyeditors.

  Catriona Savage, every book needs a cover and you got it so right!

  Bob Collins, for working on the black and white photographs in this book.

  Ian Rae, sadly, you crossed over before reading the final pages of
Starchild but I’m indebted to you for believing I was a writer when I didn’t believe it myself. Here’s to a chance meeting in Stornoway and an impulse to meet again in Paris. Both were divine nudges for sure.

  Debra Kolkka, for offering me a space in your beautiful home in Vergemoli, in the mountains of Tuscany. Casa Debbio is the place every writer should be!

  Anna Graham, Venafro, Italy will be in my heart and the pages of this book forever. The energy in Venafro was a blessing after Rony’s surgeries. It helped us both heal.

  Christina Manca, for walking beside me as I found my feet without my beloved Rony in Uganda and especially for counting the money!

  My brothers Frank, David, and Paul for embracing me as your sister.

  Aneez Jaffer, for my home away from home in Kampala. You are dearly missed.

  Moses Apiliga, for helping Rony and I navigate your country in the early days.

  Marian McCaffrey, for your constant support of my creativity over the years.

  Finally, I am indebted to the Starchild board who are more like a family. You each support the charity in your own special ways. I couldn’t do it without you all. It’s been a magical journey together and it’s certainly not over.

  And, to all my friends who accompany me on this incredible journey called life. There is not enough space to do you each justice, but know I appreciate you all.

  Michaela