A donation of over 70 canes to the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) yesterday has been regarded as not only filling a void for persons living with disabilities but also assuring their independence.

This was emphasised by two special needs advocates, as they witnessed the handover of the flexible white canes and assistive devices to the NDU, at its headquarters on Collymore, St. Michael, by Barbadian Samuel Burke, a resident of the United States of America.

IT Specialist for the Blind and Visually Impaired at the NDU, The Most Honourable Kerryann Ifill, in expressing gratitude to Mr. Burke, said: “We often speak of the diaspora and how much they give to us, and today is just another example of their care for their home country. Persons with disabilities, we all have a family member, a friend from ‘over in a way’, as we say here in Barbados, but it is these kinds of tangible reminders that let us know that no matter how far we go, Barbados remains our home, and a place to which we are all vitally attached.

“On behalf of persons with disabilities, specifically, the blind and visually impaired community, I’m very pleased and proud today to be a part of this process. I want to thank anyone who assisted Mr. Burke in contacting us and reaching out and in getting the canes to Barbados because these will greatly assist many persons. People lose their vision here on a daily basis, and the National United Society of the Blind Barbados, … we often use this phrase, ‘there’s life after blindness”. Canes are not objects of pity; they are symbols of independence and through Mr. Burke’s donation, he has given independence to even more persons who live with visual impairments. So, thank you.”

Her sentiments were shared by Government Senator Andwele Boyce, who deemed the presentation “an important show of patriotism and goodwill”. 

Noting that canes and other types of assistive devices are “symbols of independence and really permit persons to continue in their independent lives after diagnosis”, he added Government was pleased with the contribution. 

The Senator also appealed to Barbadians, here and in the diaspora, “to continue to contribute to the development of Barbados and, more specifically, to the development and the betterment of the disabled community”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Mark Franklin, thanked the donor and the Lighthouse of Central Florida, for the “generous gift to the disabled community” and highlighted the importance of partnerships to Barbados.

 “We are all aware that resources, especially finances, are often not available in unlimited quantities. Therefore, in order to ensure that we continuously strive to meet the greatest and most critical of needs, it is important that we partner, when necessary, with the private sector, other government ministries, non-governmental organisations, and individuals, such as Mr. Burke, to meet the requirements of vulnerable categories of persons, such as persons with disabilities, ensuring that persons with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect and are allowed to make their rightful contributions to society, continue to receive the attention of our Ministry,” he stated.

Mr. Franklin noted the Ministry’s focus is manifested through actions such as the recently approved 2023-2030 National Policy for Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities, along with the advancement of draft legislation for persons with disabilities, where the Ministry has recently sent draft instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Council.

Assuring Mr. Burke that his contribution was appreciated by Government, he said the NDU will work assiduously to ensure the canes are distributed to “those persons who are most in need”. And, he added: “We thank you once again for being a model of how persons such as yourself can give back to their society and we urge other persons and organisations to follow your good example.”

Mr. Burke, in his response, indicated that it was an opportunity to give back to his “fellow Barbadians” and thanked all who worked to ensure the handover. 

“I do appreciate this opportunity, and as the Deputy Permanent Secretary said, the expectation is that these canes will be delivered to persons who have a need for them. And certainly, that was my goal. And having achieved that I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment,” he stated.

Following a demonstration by the NDU on how the canes will be used by clients, Mr. Burke told media representatives: “I worked with the Lighthouse of Central Florida and I saw the opportunity to get the canes then, and my initial thought was ‘if I can get access to these canes and I can bring them to Barbados for persons, like myself, who have visual impairment and blindness, then that would be something that I wanted to do’.”  

The donation comprises 75 of the folding variety canes, in varying sizes ranging between three feet and five feet, with the sections being collapsible for easy access to public transportation, and another 20 or more of the supportive type canes, which can be used by persons when just walking around. (PR/GIS)