THE Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled (BAPD) yesterday celebrated the arrival of a new bus, which will enable children to be taken to and from the organisation’s Dolphin Drive centre daily.

The bus has been funded by donations from individuals and organisations and the Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling, was present for its dedication ceremony and the official introduction of Yasmin Sweeting as the association’s physiotherapist.

The BAPD plays a vital role in the care and education of physically disabled children in the Bahamas and in improving their quality of life. Without a bus service, many children would not be able to attend the centre as their parents do not have the means to take them while it would also free mothers, who would otherwise have to stay at home to care for them, to be able to seek employment and support the family.

Sir Durward Knowles, the BAPD president, thanked the “many caring persons who have made the purchase of the bus possible” and for their “generous donations”.

After searching for more than 30 years, the BAPD has found a physiotherapist, Yasmin Sweeting, a Bahamian-licenced specialist who has worked for various companies in the Bahamas, to help the children at the Dolphin Drive centre. Yesterday she was formally intoruced by Charlotte Albury, the BAPD vice-president.

When Ms Sweeting began treating Sir Durward and his wife, Lady Knowles, he recognised her ability and realised she would be ideal to work at the BAPD.

“Words cannot express the joy of both myself and the rest of the BAPD committee, knowing that at last we have someone to help the children,” Sir Durward said.

Over the past few months, Ms Sweeting has made a huge difference in the lives of the children and improved their well-being. The organisation had appealed for assistance from governments over the years but neither were able to find a suitable candidate, despite searching locally, in Cuba and the United States.

While employing someone of Ms Sweeting’s calibre is costly, the BAPD committee felt they should go above and beyond for the children, especially for the physically disabled. The BAPD has been financed by a little government help and by generous contributions from the community over the years.

The BAPD committee has guaranteed Ms Sweeting’s annual salary but is turning to the public for help for financial assistance, large or small, from the community at large.