Barbados Association for Children with Brain Injuries Calls for Respite Care Facilities for Children with Disabilities

The children also went on tours and had special visitors at the camp.

“We visited the changing of the guards at the Garrison Savannah. Members of the Fire Service from Arch Hall, St Thomas, came up, and they did demonstrations with the kids on how to use the Jaws of Life, and some of the children got to go on the truck and blow the horn.

“And then, on Tuesday, they went to the airport, and they told me that they saw 18 planes coming in. That was exciting because it was the first time that a lot of them had been exposed to these kinds of activities. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go to the zoo, which was cancelled twice. So it was challenging, but it was a good experience,” Brathwaite said.

She indicated that another important feature of the camp was that the able-bodied children were taught the importance of respecting persons with disabilities.

The association president extended gratitude to the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Signa Financial, Manulife, Bank of Montreal, Massy Warehouse, Stokes & Bynoe, Flash Zone Bar, and Confectionery and Snacks.

“We had pretty good sponsorship, and I must thank them. I also want to thank my support staff, including my drivers and coordinators, for being extremely helpful and good. I would also like to thank the management of the Challenor School for allowing me to use the facilities,” she said.

Parent Sharon Hunte said she was pleased that her wheelchair-bound son Dondre Hunte-Weekes, who is in his early 20s, was able to attend the camp.

She said while her son was at camp, she was able to run errands and attend to personal business.

“As parents of children with special needs, we are very happy the camp was held because we don’t get to do anything because if they are at home, we have to be at home with them. If we need to go to town, we can’t push them in town because there are no wheelchair-accessible roads. It is only Cave Shepherd that you can take them that has an elevator. So while they are at the camp, we will get to do what we have to do,” Hunte said.

“So we need the facility to provide respite care because, honestly, what are these children going to do when they get older? There is nothing else for them to do. I am thankful to Challenor for what they have been doing for all these years. Honestly, being a parent to a special needs child is a lot of work, and we really do need a break,” she added.

Brathwaite said she is hoping to host a cruise for children with brain injuries, next summer.

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