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Amazing Grace Foundation ............Light of Hope |
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Remarks made by Mr Clarence E. Pilgrim, the Chairman of the foundation, at the First ever workshop on the Health Care & Welfare of Disabled Children held on the 13th January 2005 As the organiser of the workshop, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following outstanding speakers for their dynamic presentations:- Dr. Patrick Matthew, Joan Gomes, Gerald Price, Dr. Thomas Martin, Dr Gregson Williams, Avit Laville and Rev. Edmond Greene. Also attending and giving considerable support, were ministers, Colin Derrick, Hilson Baptiste and the Honourable Winston Williams. Full praise is also extended to Lucia Baptiste, supervisor of the home, Eden Weston, vice chairman of the Board and Desiree Weston, secretary of the board, our office assistant, Ms Mackenzie and Ms Norris, the chairlady a benefactor of today's proceedings The other board and staff members of the home are also to be commended. In many countries around the world, services for children and adults with developmental disabilities have come about because of the efforts of organisations made-up of a variety of committed individuals and groups working in partnership. In this, as in many other respects, developing countries, particularly within the Caribbean Community, have not been at the forefront. This may be partly because a larger segment of the population is confronted with other social issues, which forced the sector of disability, low on a national developmental priority list. It is therefore essential that we continue our advocacy efforts to highlight the plight and concerns of those who are disadvantaged and impoverished There is still much ignorance and shame about disability because sectors of the population at large have not been exposed to relevant and accurate information. There is a need for a co-ordinated policy for professionals working with developmentally disabled children in Antigua & Barbuda. The primary components which are missing or inadequate seem to be the lack of services to families at crucial times, such as at diagnosis, at school entry, adolescence and later adulthood. Let us be honest, the rights that are automatically accorded to the non-disabled child are not automatically extended to the disabled child, even at the individual level, in some homes by their own parents. There have been reports that the rights to basic services such as health care and transportation are frequently denied to mentally retarded people who are regarded as low priority on the index of national developmental needs. The list of situations that discriminate against persons with disabilities, through ignorance or otherwise, appear to be long and includes many aspects of everyday life, such as access to buildings, schools, transportation, housing and even in their own home. This educational workshop, was born out of the realisation that mobilisation and training of parents, care providers and educators is not only desirable for sustaining services to children with disabilities, but is extremely essential if our "special" children are to have a solid foundation to becoming productive contributing citizens in their own right - to our society. The overall participation of a child's family is believed to be a crucial aspect to the success of any home-based educational programme for a child with special needs. Parents or responsible members in the family circle, as partners in the effort, help to provide an on going "safety net" and "learning system," which assist in the reinforcement of the effect of the programme while it is in operation, and, for a better part provides sustainable development. There is a popular belief in managing behaviour problems - that is children who are unruly and may be considered as rude - is embodied in a saying, which states "spare the rod and spoil the child." Now this is the belief that administering some degree of corporal punishment or "blows to the backside" help to be a deterrence to unwanted behaviour. Now how does "sparing the rod and spoiling the child" apply to a child with a disability, especially those who have problems in learning? Intentionally or unintentionally, it seems very likely that they will receive punishment even more frequently because of their slow learning and general disposition. Sadly they will be written off as a future investment; thus their value as an individual will be lessened- condemned to a future of basic existence. Care providers must guard themselves against inflicting unnecessary pain, in the form of corrective punishment. They must abstain from any act, which is physically, and emotionally damaging to the child. Another danger to the developmental and care process specifically relating to childhood disability is over-protection. This may occur because of a variety of reasons; however, this tends to lessen the child's desire to become independent. Such parents may be very loving and provide excellent care, but there is a point at which we should try to satisfy all, not some, of the developmental needs. Opposite to over-protection is that the child is neglected and discriminated against. The financial circumstance of a family may play a role in this. Also, unfortunately, prejudice and denial towards the child's disability can have an effect. It is our hope, that a child's problems may be identified before it reaches a crisis stage. It is my hope that this workshop will be a catalyst in helping in the overall development of its participants. Finally let me welcome you again, and wish you a successful learning experience. Thank you. |
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