The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AFTER years of physically carrying her daughter to and from school, Anna Thompson watched through tears of joy yesterday as 10-year-old Naveah Strachan, who was born with brittle bone disease and cannot walk, moved around independently for the first time in a motorised wheelchair.

Naveah, a student at Columbus Primary School, was brought to tears as she moved alongside her mother in her new chair, her feet touching the pedals as she moved on her own. Ms Thompson wiped tears of happiness from her daughter’s face.

Ms Thompson said her daughter, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, had long wished she could walk.

“When she (was) born she couldn’t walk,” she said. “So, as she grew older and older she always say "Lord, I wish one day I could walk.’”

“I just used to encourage her that God gone allow you to walk one day. But it never phased me I just used to lift her, I never take her for granted.”

Ms Thompson described Naveah as her “Miracle Baby”.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a group of genetic disorders that cause bones to break easily, sometimes with little or no apparent trauma.

Ms Thompson previously had to carry her daughter to and from school each day, while teachers manually pushed Naveah in a wheelchair during school hours.

The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU) donated the motorised wheelchair during an assembly at the school, hoping it would make Naveah’s learning experience easier.

BEMU president Stephen McPhee said the chair would allow Naveah to participate in activities such as Sports Day and make travelling home after school easier. He wiped away tears as he recalled learning about Naveah’s circumstances and the assistance she needed to get around the school.

As her classmates cheered for her new chair, Ms Thompson held Naveah on her hip. The little girl then waved them back.

Gregory Cash, a guidance counsellor at the school who also uses a motorised wheelchair, said he was overwhelmed with joy to see his student receive a chair that had been a blessing in his own life. “One day I hope we have a racing competition,” he said warmly.

Mr Cash highlighted the need for inclusion in the education system, particularly ensuring people with disabilities have opportunities to pursue their dreams in any industry they choose.