I believe that the greatest gift that one person can give to the other is the gift of understanding, to be able to empathise with people who are less fortunate than oneself is the very pinnacle of human kindness, to be able with sincerity and not patronizingly say ‘THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I.’ 

Within the last year I have seen companys, individuals, the wealthy and the poor respond to the calls of children and adults who have sought their help with a fervour that instilled in me the confidence that Barbados is blessed with a wealth of human kindness that can be matched but certainly not surpassed by any other Nation in the world.

I would like to stop at this point and remember young Adrian Franklyn who was instrumental in the council being able to purchase our first bus, Adrian conceptualised the slogan ‘GET ON THE BUS’ and along with his cousin, Shawn. Adrian using his many skills ensured that we were able…through a series of boat cruises and the backing of his band POWER BY 4…to make the repayments of $112,428.90 in the remarkable time of ten months. It is truly sad that Adrian had to meet his untimely death in a bus on the way to the crop-over festival that he loved so much. I would like to acknowledge the effort of former President Cleveland Mayers under whose watch that venture was conceived and positively implemented

The council for the disabled would like to offer our sincere thanks to Adrian and to offer our sincere sympathy to Shawn and the family of this wonderful young man, may the angels of GOD be with you on your journey to his Kingdom, the members of the Council will always hold you in a special place in our hearts.

The response to our drive to replace one old bus was met with such enthusiasm by the donors that it made us all feel that we are doing something right, for when the business community as well as individuals can without being forced or coerced make such positive contributions our faith is confirmed and our direction established.
CONSUMERS GUARANTEE INSURANCE CGI
PEARL AND BUNTY LARA FOUNDATION
BARBADOS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
OPA GREEK RESTAURANT
KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL
STUDIO STUDIO
SCOTIA BANK

It would be remiss of me if I did not include ORIGO Graphics who have done the splendid work of artistically placing the symbols of recognition on the van, perhaps this may sound like a vote of thanks Kerri I do not intend it to be but to be honest I cannot help but feel an element of pride in these persons who really understand.

Mobility is one of the greatest challenges that the disabled community faces, things that are taken for granted by persons who have been blessed with the ability to get…unattended…from one place to the other will never fully understand the feeling of helplessness that attends one who cannot just take a drive to the city or enjoy a leisurely visit to Four Square Park for a picnic.

A bus may mean very little to the owner of a car or even a bicycle, but to the disabled it gives one a sense of independence that is hard to understand. On Friday I launched the service of a fully accessible bus for the disabled at Haynesville Children’s Home; within the next two to three months the Learning Centre will also be having a similar launch for their new bus, the disabled are coming into their own these are the first tentative steps, made possible by the generous donations by you the people who realize that it goes beyond corporate responsibility, but is enshrined in the desire to make things better for our total society.

This morning restarts a significant program the disabled communities drive towards a FULLY ACCESSIBLE BARBADOS  we will scale down the initial programme to start within a small and manageable area  and work our way outwards until the communities through habit and recognizing the importance of not marginalizing any one sector of the community will continue to work towards making this country a Nation that has dropped all walls from around the disabled; a society without boundaries, accessible to all.

As you are ware my slogan for my tenure is WE WILL BECAUSE WE CAN and you must believe it is through the generosity of you the persons and companies who have made the acquisition of this bus possible so that we can show the public and others what can be achieved if we the abled and disabled, the community, church and government as well as NGOs work together for the common good. No sector must be left out as the disabled move forward, having been given the opportunity to use their latent skills to ensure that this country reaches the millennium goals so carefully thought out by the many visionaries around the world.

The PURPOSE as set out in the convention on the rights of PWD Article (1) states clearly.

The purpose of the present convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Persons with disabilities include those who long-term physical, mental intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. 

Bunty and Pearl Lara you have given celebrity status to this mornings proceedings through you son Brian, we thank you. Brian your contribution to West Indies Cricket may one day become just a memory, but your kindness, your care for people your love of family will be the legacy that you will leave behind, it is interesting to note that the bus donated too Haynesville, the first persons who made a donation was Floyd Reiffer and the equally great Courtney Walsh this is the model that carries WEST INDIES CRICKET BEYOND THE BOUNDARY and into communities that nurtured those with the desire to do good to those less fortunate than ourselves.

The disabled community of Barbados and all those who are in any way attached to these special Barbadians we all thank you and hope that you will continue to use your resources to assist the disabled so that in turn the disabled will be able to make the contributions to this Nation showing  that they are fully equipped to move Barbados and the Caribbean forward; give them the opportunities and they will prove that they are competent willing and equipped to make positive contributions.

I want to make it clear that this is not to be restricted by boundaries whether created by the ever present bureaucracy that has been inherited with almost genetic competency from those who taught us, neither is it to be hindered by insularity, the disabled must be seen as an integral constituency throughout the Caribbean and their voice…even if spoken at a whisper…has the means to be heard and the power to make a difference.

The CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of PERSONS with DISABILITIES have been signed the disabled now have a voice at the highest level, it is imperative that those of us vested with the power for the time being, ensures that when the time comes and we are asked to report on what has been ratified and what has been implemented, the Barbadian and Caribbean disabled community with a common voice will be able to report progress; not only on paper but in a manner that reflects the tenacity and fortitude of people who have the skills and the desire to see this Nation, this Caribbean reach the goals set out, also see them where necessary signed into statute books of this island, an Island known for the desire to be fair to all regardless of class, culture, ethnicity or disability.