BCD celebrates 40 years with Church Service

By Tonisha Rock-Yaw
The Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) kicked off their month of activities with a church service yesterday morning at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. President of the council for the disabled, other members and Minister of Social Care Steven Blackett were just a few of the individuals who were in attendance at fully pack church.

Speaking at the service, Monsignor Vincent Blackett reminded the community of the importance of looking out for their brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than themselves. He said, “As a church community, we must ask ourselves what can we do to enhance the lives of our brothers and sisters, who or challenged and there is a lot we can do. I think one of our growing problems in Barbados is that we are becoming a little bit selfish in thinking in terms of me! We always think what can I get out of life, we have to go back to what President Kennedy said, ‘Ask not what America can do for you, but what you can do for America’. I’m saying to you today, ask not what Barbados could do for you, but what you can do for Barbados. What we can do for Barbados is to reach out to those who are less fortunate than ourselves and everyone of us can find someone who is less fortunate and reach out to that person.”

Furthermore Monsignor Blackett stated, “I want to say to you, how very special you are, you are God’s special people and I would like to say to you not to allow anyone or any group to put you down or make you feel that you or less than human beings. You have the same needs as the rest of us, you need to be housed, to be clothe, fed, educated and most importantly loved. As a community, because of this dog eat dog world we live in, our love is not distributed, I want us to begin today by seeing you as the most important person and treating you that way.”

Also speaking at the service, President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Maria Holder-Small said, “The Barbados Council for the disability is seemingly attracting more international attention to issues facing accessibility in Barbados through our programme. The council has been collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and international agencies to address the issues of discrimination in the work place for persons with disabilities.”

In conclusion she added, “In the meantime for persons with disabilities, inclusion will matter until persons with disabilities have access to public facilities, amenities and services. Inclusion will matter until persons with disabilities have access to public transport like any other person, inclusion will matter until persons with disabilities have access to education, employment, health, information technology and cultural life. Inclusion will matter until it is an offence to discriminate against persons with disabilities.”