AT times, several factors stand in the way of people being able to achieve their goals. These include limited access to resources, or even health- related issues. Sickle cell disease has been a major obstacle to many people achieving their goals since they have had to be very careful; the disease can be fatal or even shorten the life span of an individual. However, fear of the worst did not stop 34-year-old William John Harris form making a major impact before he died. William was the first-born for his parents, William and Penelope Harris.

William’s mother Penelope Harris, who is a retired principal and now training consultant, spoke with the Guyana Chronicle giving an insight into his incredible journey; she stated that she wanted to use his story to inspire others to understand that they too can achieve any dream they have set their minds on. Harris described William’s story as inspiring, saying, “He was such an amazing child, he did so well. He was a nice person to meet and interact with; everywhere he went he made friends.”

Harris stated that at nine months old William had been diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Sickle cells block the blood-flow to organs and deprive the affected organs of blood and oxygen. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person’s parents. In sickle cell anaemia, blood is also chronically low in oxygen. This lack of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves and organs, including one’s kidneys, liver and spleen, and can be fatal.

Harris explained that since her son’s diagnosis, she had been always cautious about his health. She stated that although herself and family worried about William’s condition, he never allowed his condition to define him or the goals he could achieve.

William at the time of his death had been able to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, as well as his Master’s Degree in Regional Development. But that wasn’t all he had achieved: the young man also served as the Public Relations Officer as well as the President of the Sickle Cell Association in Guyana and used his journey as a way of encouraging other persons who have the disease, that they have the ability to achieve great success if they put their minds to it.

According to his family members, William “did remarkably well” academically and socially and was a leading thinker in family circles and among his peers. Harris stated that after his birth, William along with her and his father had migrated to Poland where they pursued higher education. He subsequently returned to Guyana at the age of two where he would spend the next five years with his maternal grandmother Agatha Hinds.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that William always showed great academic promise, attaining a place at the Bishops High School after attending St. Margaret’s Primary. While at school, William continued to not let his disease hinder his growth and passion to become a well-rounded individual, even getting involved in sports and he developed a great love for cricket and attended many cricket camps and matches.

According to her while he continued growing, William made sure he aligned his life with God and was baptised at the Newtown Assembly of God Church where he became a member. At the Newtown church he served in the Audio Visual Department and the Youth Department. William was a dedicated Christian and wholeheartedly supported his parents on their assignment to pastor the outstation of Newtown Assembly in Sophia. There, he served as a deacon and secretary of the board for several years.

William, who was by then an International Relations student, always showed a love and appreciation for other cultures and languages, and was fluent in French, Spanish and Portuguese. Finally, it was Portuguese that would ultimately engage his attention and would prove most important as he decided that he wanted to reside in Brasilia. From the very first time he visited Brasilia on one of his university trips, William fell in love with the country and decided that he wanted to move there. Consequently, he became a staff member of the Embassy of Brazil in Guyana– his first full- time job– after graduating from the University of Guyana.

He worked at the Brazil-Guyana Cultural Centre and the Embassy of Brazil in various capacities between 2010 and 2014, including Secretary of the Cultural Centre, Administrative Assistant and Administrative Officer of both the embassy and the Ambassador’s residence.

He was posted to Brasilia in 2017 as Second Secretary in the Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Brazil. He served in that capacity until his demise on October 8, 2020. He played a significant role in the organisation of GULAC (Group of Latin American Countries) and organised many cultural events and activities among diplomats of the nation states.

Harris stated that William’s life should be an inspiration to many that despite setbacks and even a life-threatening illness, one can achieve significant things, touch lives and leave a legacy.