On Monday, December 3rd, Belize joined the rest of the world in observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The day is set aside to promote empowerment of persons living with disabilities, and Stella Maris Primary School set aside an entire week to promote disability awareness. They were joined today by the fledgling organization which calls itself the Belize Brain Awareness Society.
This organization embedded themselves at the school for several hours, so that they could provide the children with a sort of fun day, along with free medical check-ups.
7News stopped by and we spoke with the principal about the week of activities aimed at the educating the general public about the struggles of persons living with disabilities:
Karema Oshon - Principal, Stella Maris
"Disability Awareness Week commenced on Sunday, December 2nd with a church service. On Monday, we had the parade through the streets of Belize to create some awareness and showcase persons with disabilities from different organizations. We had from Stella Maris School, BAPDA, the Inspiration Center, and we also had BSCVI and NARCIE, because they deal with children countrywide. We have a week of activities. Tuesday, we didn't have anything, but today, we have an open day, where we'll have businesses coming in to showcase products that they have to offer to persons living with disabilities, and also, we have scheduled for the Belize Brain Awareness Society to come in and do some sessions with teachers, and also to do some testing for our children, and to inform and educate parents and teachers as how to best reach out and meet the needs of our children living with disabilities."
"It's very crucial that we recognize that we have no control over it, to a certain extent. Persons who are living with disabilities, we want them to feel a part of our society. For two long, we've had them being shunned, and I know that we're creating this awareness. Stella Maris School is sounding the alarm that we want you all to start to recognize and encourage these people because they too have a place in our world."
Kaylia Nunez - CEO, Belize Brain Awareness Society
"We have presentations - neurological presentations what entails and all takes place win the human brain. We also presentations with healthy eating because we do know that what we eat affects a lot of our health issues. We have presentations based on the organization in which we serve. Also, we have free snacks for the children. We also have gifts giveaways, and we're also doing free medical care for a number of the students here today."
The Belize Brain Awareness Society also set up sessions with the teachers of Stella Maris to educate them on the importance a healthy brain.
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