Doris Staine Update

Doris is Ready!

Registration for entry in primary schools is completed in most schools by now. As a result of that Sister Beverly and I met with Ms Pollard and her vice principal on May 6, 2008 Issues related to Doris Staine and school placement for the school year 2008 which commences on September was priority in the agenda as well as the role of CARE- Belize. It must be emphasized that CARE Belize operates on the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Strategy where we do our best to apply inclusive approaches to ensure that people with disabilities are included in development work in particular inclusive education for this case. Since the last update we listed as significant some developments that were visible. Today we can report that Doris was given an evaluation at CRIQ (Centro de Rehabilitacion Integral de Quintana Roo) and she was fitted with orthopedic shoes and it was further determined that with surgery there are possibilities that she may walk. Further diagnosis was conducted by Dr, Jeffries and we are awaiting an appointment with Dr. Waight from KHMH to determine the possible impact of surgery for Doris. It must be noted that these events will have minimal impact on school because if any surgery is to be carried out it will be in July.
School Infrastructure
We had the opportunity to view the cement walkway that was built from the street to the classroom via a ramp. A wheelchair can be easily maneuvered in this walkway as it is wide and well built. For now the classroom are downstairs so it will not pose a challenge for Doris. We need to look at alternatives to accommodate her when she is ready to go to other classes which are upstairs. Sister Beverly was able to inspect the bathroom facilities that are being renovated and gave a few suggestions.
Staff Training
CARE- Belize is committed to providing the sensitization workshop to all the staff members in July or August. This was emphasized to the principal. The best approach would be to link up with NaRCIE and conduct the training collaboratively. Similar sensitization workshops have been done at Guinea Grass R.C school where 2 students with spina bifida are attending school. The principal agreed to give us a date where we can meet with the staff for the training.
Support
CARE- Belize committed with the principal to provide support at the school setting on a monthly basis. If any urgent issue arises then CARE- Belize stands ready to assist in addressing the issue.
We presently have a new Rehabilitation Field Officer (RFO) who is on training and by September she will be ready to assist teachers, parents and Doris achieve her rehabilitation goals.
As to curricular support which CARE- Belize cannot provide we will refer the case to NaRCIE who should be in a position to support Doris and her teachers to address issues of curricular development
Wheelchair
Through CARE- Belize Doris was given a new heavy duty wheelchair on May 23, 2008. Her father Marvin went along with CARE- Belize to CISCO construction where he was presented with the wheelchair.



At CARE- Belize office Marvin was shown the wheelchair and he took it home with him. In the future Marvin will come to CARE- Belize where he will be shown how to use the wheelchair as well as how to care for it.
Conclusion
CARE- Belize CBR programme plays an important role in ensuring that people with disabilities are able to get appropriate devices and have access to services for their maintenance and replacement. The devices should be appropriate, affordable and available in a timely manner so that people can live actively, independently and safely. We at CARE- Belize strongly feel that Doris is now ready to participate in the education opportunities that are available in her country and community. We stand ready to support her and other children with special educational needs achieve their education which is their human and constitutional right. I close with excerpts from Inclusive Education and the Social Model.
Inclusive education is about changing the system to fit the student, not about changing the student to fit the system. This is the main shift that is needed in understanding inclusive education in CBR programmes, which in the past, have tended to work more individually. Inclusive Education is ‘a process of addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education’

Let us all join efforts together in ensuring that we provide the opportunity that Doris needs to attain skills and live an independent life in the future.
Respectfully
___________
Evan Cowo, Director CARE-Belize
June 5, 2008