By Tieanna Jordan
Teacher, cricketer and disability advocate Ackila Smith created history at this year’s Miss Emancipation Pageant, held on August 14 at the National Cultural Centre, when she proudly represented her community as the first person with a disability to participate in the pageant.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, the 24-year-old said it had always been her dream to participate in a pageant to give representation to the disabled community. Ackila, who is currently pursuing her studies at the Cyril Potter College of Education, is visually impaired and also has a deformed right hand. She has what she describes as “web-fingers.” Her disability is what builds that drive within her to be a voice for others like herself.