P.O.W.E.R.

STANDS FOR
           Pride
             Optimism
              Wellness
                Excellence
                  Resilience

I have recently become fascinated by the word POWER simply because the average human being seems fascinated by the benefit that is attached to having POWER, without for one moment recognizing the responsibility that comes with POWER.

Madam Chairperson, the disabled community in Barbados must be constantly reassured that the system is not working against them, simply because from time to time they are of the opinion that they are left out of the decision making process that plays such a significant part in their lives. It is fine for a senator to be appointed, but that is a high profile position that many aspire to, but few believe that it is within their grasp.

But I ask, what about boards of management of schools and statutory organizations, the disabled community is fully competent of sitting on these boards and chairing the unwritten rule which we see as custom and practice sees a member of the union on these boards to champion the rights of the unionised personnel, a member of the church, social workers, members of the returning nationals, a member of the government ministry that the board falls under, but never a member of the disabled community, the statement I make is that this must change sooner rather than later.

But it goes even further, they are thirty District Emergency Organizations in Barbados, I speak under correction but I do not believe that the disabled community is represented by a disabled person on any of these boards. Yet, the Barbados Council; For the Disabled has developed a training program for fire and police officers, some of these sessions are conducted by physically challenged persons, who understand the needs of the disabled and have been given positive reviews by the participants with the fire service asking that they be included in their normal training program.

What the disabled need is a POWER base from which they can articulate their needs, it is not about the Minister or the President, it is about the disabled, yet we find that the media who set the pattern for news seldom seriously has as the priority the disabled even when attending disabled functions. We need a reporter who is disabled who can understand the intimately the articulated needs of their peers.

The disabled is not only asking for an assuaging voice or an opportunity to profile either one party or the other, they are looking to take their place in an environment that for to long have seen them as opportunities for conscience satisfying escapades in philanthropy, the disabled are seeking to be achievers who can contribute to the needs of the abled aristocracy, who still see the disabled as THEM and THOSE a categorisation that is perpetrated by some organizations who have been mandated the authority to speak on behalf of the disabled.

Madame Chairperson, I have been asked to welcome you the wonderful, forgive me if I say children but I do include adults as well, but truly believe that this morning the emphasis must be placed on children who have gathered here to witness the launching of these simple but profound symbols of integration of the ABLED into the world of the DISABLED, the Barbados Council for the Disabled is aware that change can only be accomplished if it starts with the children. We can only make change if we bring our children on board in the fight, if we do not do this then deeply implanted attitudes will remain unchanged and the lessons unwittingly taught by parents who are not unsympathetic to the disabled but do not see them as partners in a struggle, will dominate the minds of malleable children and even young adults.

As an introduction to my presentation or should I stick to the word welcome POWER is the word that I used and it has been broken down by much wiser minds than my own in the following manner designed to heighten awareness.

Pride
Optimism
Wellness
Excellence
Resilience

This morning I am asking the children to look upon the disabled children and adults with whom you have the special privilege of interacting, to view your friends with PRIDE walk with your differently abled playmates in a spirit of OPTIMISM, constantly keep them in your prayers asking that their life will be shielded under the veil of WELLNESS that you will strive to assist these challenged children to reach their level of EXCELLENCE and  teach them that faced with the challenges that they will inevitably encounter, they will show a RESILIENCE in adversity that will allow them to reach their goals if allowed the opportunity given to them not by us but by a GOD who knows no boundaries, neither does he see disabilities.

May GOD be with you and may challenges be seen as GOD'S way of telling all of us: