RE: Empathy For The Disabled

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I read a story with interest which appeared in the December 4, 2004 edition of The Bahama Journal. The caption read “Disabled Persons Hopeful”. The story espoused the struggle for disabled persons to be recognised by society, and to be given equal opportunities in mainstream society in The Bahamas. I encourage your readers to read the story. The struggle continues.

While I (reluctantly) cannot fully subscribe to the contention that disabled persons should be treated as equal to able-bodied persons in society, I am a proponent of making the necessary provisions in society which would have the effect of causing life to be more convenient for our inconvenienced citizens.

I only have some idea of what the disabled in The Bahamas is lobbying the government to do. And so, in my humble opinion, the story lacked specificity. My guess is that they (the disabled) have intimate knowledge of what (they believe) needs to be done, and have presented those proposals to the government. I was especially encouraged (by the story) that the Minister of Social Services (at the time), The Hon Melanie Griffin, was working along with these persons in pursuit of (the elusive) equality.

This one Bahamian feels satisfied that the Ministry is now taking into account the plight of these disadvantaged members of this society and that (from only a public perception) the Hon Melanie Griffin (today) empathises with their position in life.

MARVIN G LIGHTBOURN

Nassau,

January 12, 2015.