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Move to Integrate Disabled into Mainstream Society Gains Momentum

Contact: Claudia Monlouis
 

Dr.Brigitte Schuling

Monday, June 14, 2004 - A call has gone out for parents and families to bring to an end, the culture of hiding and isolating children with developmental disabilities. The appeal has come from Coordinator of the Child Development and Guidance Centre, Dr. Brigitte Schuling, who was the feature speaker at the historic launching of the “Respite” Care project launched in Dennery, on Friday, June 11th. Dr. Schuling reminded parents that early intervention begins at home with parents playing a key part as co-therapists in their child’s care and treatment.

“We still aim to improve opportunities and help everybody. Everybody needs to make a decision that we do not hide children at home, that we treat every member of the community with a warm welcome and respect just like we want to be treated, so everybody can make a contribution to creating opportunities for children with disabilities or a delay,” said Dr. Schuling.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Human Services and Family Affairs, Honourable Jon Odlum, said the practice of keeping differently-abled kids shuttered away must become a thing of the past, as transparency and visibility can only lead to the accurate data - a critical precursor to effective planning on the part of governments.

 

Professional therapist with a young patient

Honourable Odlum remarked: “Gone are the days when persons with disabilities were ostracised. Today St. Lucians can boast having a different representative in the senate. One who is differently abled. Quite recently, I attended the Caribbean Ministerial Conference on Disability in Jamaica, and one of the objectives of the conference was to formalise a unified approach by the Caribbean on issues, strategies, policies and programmes to effectively integrate persons with disabilities into our mainstream society”.

There are over 8,000 disabled persons in Saint Lucia.
 

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