The Tribune

WITH $1 in the bank, REACH – the organisation that is the lifeline for children with autism, their parents, teachers and caregivers – was on the brink of falling off a financial cliff when benefactors Sure Win stepped in.

“We are so grateful to Sure Win,” said Mario Carey, REACH president, right. “This has been the most challenging year in our history. We temporary lost the donated office space where parents gathered for meetings and support when part of the roof and overhang collapsed. Then there was our 14th annual summer camp where we expecting 85-90 participants but 164 showed up and we couldn’t turn anyone away.” The camp is so important, he explained, as it allows for siblings to attend and act as role models for those children affected by autism.

Mr Carey thanked the Lyford Cay Foundation for assisting with the summer camp.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the Lyford Cay Foundation’s help,” said Mr Carey. “The camp was a huge success. They had music, arts, field trips, swimming and meals.”

Mr Carey also thanked the Ministry of Education who contributes by providing the facility, T G Glover Primary School, as well as assisting with staff salaries through its extended learning programme.

According to Mr Carey – whose son Cole has Asperger’s syndrome, the highest functioning form of autism – the recent passage of the Persons with Disabilities Opportunity Act will one day ease the way for those with special needs.

But for the parents of youngsters with autism, every day can be filled with anxiety and stress, trying to provide a calm and peaceful environment for children who may be uncommunicative or whose senses are on overload, making it hard for them to tolerate what seems to others like ordinary sounds, sights and activity.

“Children diagnosed with autism can make great progress when they are in the right environment and with the proper instructors,” Mr Carey said. “Many are capable of extraordinary accomplishments. Look how many brilliant actors, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, musicians have had autism in one form or another.”

But, said Mr Carey, with one in 50 children born in the US – and possibly in the Bahamas – suffering from some form of autism, support and teacher training facilitation are essential.

“Times are tough and corporations are not giving as much as they used to,” he said. “However, we are very grateful to those who continue to support us. We can’t. But we desperately need help both financially and with volunteers. All of us parents are digging into our own pockets to keep REACH alive and for many, who can hardly afford to put food on the table, it is a real struggle. But REACH is their lifeline and they know what it means not to be alone in a world with a youngster who has autism and how important having information and teachers and caregivers is.”