Patrick Gamatis: ‘Inspirational story of overcoming hearing impairment’ |25 October 2021
Patrick Gamatis – ‘a reliable co-worker who uses his special qualities to always offer a helping hand to anyone’
Every day when he clocks in at the Seypec LPG Filling Plant, the working day that starts for Patrick Gamatis looks anything but ‘normal’. The reason is that Ti Pat, as he is affectionately called, was born deaf or to put it in more contemporary jargon, he started life with a hearing impairment. He must make an unnaturally forced effort to communicate with his people every minute of his life. So far, so normal, but life is anything but ‘normal’ for this lively 45-year-old hard-worker and lover of life.
For the past 20 years, Ti Pat has enjoyed every moment when he drives up from Point au Sel to join his colleagues at Seypec and the questions are always the same for him: how do I enjoy one additional day, how will my impairment affect those around me, how to avoid the minefield of deafness to cross on the territory of affection and understanding?
Obviously, through his devoted attitude to work and his incessant drive for excellence, Ti Pat has conquered the hearts of everyone at Seypec. “I guess things have been made much easier with the support and the solicitude of all my working mates. This feel-good factor has given me an incredibly sense of purpose and confidence. This is the biggest gift my work at Seypec has offered to me,” he says.
The unanimous testimony of his colleagues is just a glimpse of the role model Ti Pat has become within the company.
“He is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment to our community as he did not simply dwell on his perceived disability or limitations,” says Oliver Camille, Seypec inland distribution manager.
Ray Hoareau, general manager operations and technical, is full of praise and admiration for Ti Pat. “He has been an exemplary worker and I cannot recall any complaint towards Ti Pat from his colleagues. Actually, it is a blessing to have him as a member of the Seypec family!”
The LPG plant supervisor, Don Anacoura, admires his sense of professionalism and work ethics. “Patrick is reliable and rarely takes sick leave. He has many skills that he not only uses at the LPG plant but is always eager to support other sections with renewed motivation.”
And as Roger Cedras, the senior LPG technician puts it, “Ti Pat is a reliable co-worker who uses his special qualities to always offer a helping hand to anyone.”
The ever-smiling Gamatis has also enjoyed an exhilarating social and sporting journey too since his days at the School for the Exceptional Child. He has been a dynamic and active member of the Seychelles Special Olympics Football Team, upholding the colours of his country with honour and pride. He reflects on his life as a gift to others less fortunate than him and humbly offers a poignant piece of advice for those who are still doubting about themselves.
“I believe diversity is meaningless without inclusion. I felt like my disability really did not make a difference, the important part was whether I showed the right job skills and mental abilities to perform the work my colleagues were looking for. Everyone has a possibility to appear on the Wall of Honour depending on the motivation and self-will we input all the time. There is no other secret for a happy life!”
“Seeing members of the disabled community achieve success is the most empowering message we can send,” Unice Romain, general manager, corporate and human resources, says. “Seypec has not been shy about expecting excellence in the work of our dear Ti Pat and this makes him a valued member of the team. As a standing policy, we embrace all abilities and value the talent in all our employees.”
The recent turmoil in the workplace caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has made Ti Pat even stronger in his life as interaction with his colleagues requested a new approach. “Before the pandemic, deaf employees of all trades faced barriers and challenges, which have now become magnified by the major workplace and life changes imposed by the response to Covid-19. Yet deaf people like me have seized the opportunity to be more flexible, staying optimistic, and remaining resilient.”
As Ti Pat starts a third decade in his career as an operator at the Seypec LPG Filling Plant, he wants to be more inspirational to others. He is relentlessly eager to savour life up to the last drop and wants to have a family and share his love for his partner.
Patrick Gamatis has not looked back ever since. His strong will power and the unfailing support of his colleagues and family will continue to help him secure another merit of life. As a passionate fan of football, he knows that the second half of his life will be as thrilling and mouth-watering as ever!
Contributed
