BPTA hosts fun day

ALL children are A.B.L.E. This means that all Barbadians should ‘Accept’ persons despite their differences, ‘Believe’ we are all equal, ‘Learn’ to include and ‘Embrace’.

This was the message given by the Barbados Physical Therapy Association (BPTA), who hosted a private fun day for children with disabilities on Sunday afternoon. The inaugural fun day was held in the car park of the Dome Mall, Warrens, St. Michael. The children, who were accompanied by their parents, were given a unique opportunity to interact with parents and children without disabilities in a public setting.

President of the BPTA, Dr. Nicola Yard, speaking to The Barbados Advocate, explained that the aim of the event was to promote inclusion for all during the Month of the Disabled. She added that the three-hour outdoor exercise was co-ordinated to sensitise children without disabilities to the children with disabilities. There were 24 children – 12 children with disabilities and the remainder without disabilities – who participated in the day’s activities.

Physiotherapist of the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre, Dr. Rhea Clarke, said that the children were placed into teams – one child with disabilities and the other child without disabilities. This allowed the children who were between the ages of three to 17 to build a bond, to learn and understand about the lives of those with disabilities. The BPTA stated that they hoped that through this experience, the children when they become adults will be able to accept those individuals with disabilities.

Some of the activities which the children participated in were fun children’s games such as Red Light, Green Light; musical chairs in addition to face painting and fun photo shoots. In the early period of the event, the children were entertained by The Twisterz All Star Gym Barbados cheerleaders.

Operations Manager of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Mrs. Roseanna Tudor, was also present to give her support and interact with the children.