Children with Down Syndrome and other disabilities have skills, passion and the ability to accomplish great things like anyone else and must be encouraged to do so.
This inspirational message was shared by Glen Niles, founder and president of the Down Syndrome Family Network, when he opened an awareness workshop for parents, families, caregivers, teachers and others who live and work with people with Down Syndrome.
A release said scores of families and their children attended the workshop at Valsayn Teachers' Training College, on June 25, as the Down Syndrome Family Network addressed critical issues and provided valuable information about Down Syndrome, as well as demonstrated their potential.
Niles, who founded the network five years ago, thanked the RBC Royal Bank Education Foundation for partnering with the organisation to fund a series of workshops which are aimed at generating better understanding of Down Syndrome and helping parents and others demonstrate that their children can accomplish great things.
"As parents with kids with disabilities, people keep telling us what they will not be able to do. They kill your dreams and poison your thoughts and aspirations for your kids. People with Down Syndrome have skills and passion, too. We have to build the dream with our kids.
"We have to believe that they can accomplish great things like anyone else. We have to change our perspective on what a child with Down Syndrome can do and let them go out in the world and do it," said an emotional Niles, whose son has Down Syndrome.
Underscoring RBC Royal Bank's support of the work of the Down Syndrome Family Network was Trincity branch manager, Kevin Doodnath, who informed the audience that the network's focus on youth development and empowerment, while being a champion of diversity, was aligned with RBC's own commitment and focus on youth, diversity and inclusion.
"People with Down Syndrome deserve to have choices, make decisions and have control of their lives, the things that most of us take for granted. To do this, they need access to the support they may require to lead independent lives and to be accepted and included as valued, equal and participating members of their communities," Doodnath pointed out.
The Down Syndrome Family Network is one of several non-governmental organisations to benefit recently from the RBC Royal Bank Education Foundation's community outreach programme with donations amounting to $370,000.
Tobago-based Healing with Horses was assisted with its after school programme for disabled children from Happy Haven School, the Tec Voc Centre and the Tobago School for the Deaf.
Steven Edwards Productions received support for its Chrysalis Project which seeks to transform the lives of some 40 young people between the ages of five to 20 years in Beetham Gardens. The programme utilises theatre and technology to teach social and life skills and foster various competencies in the young residents in the community.
The Dyslexia Association received funding for its annual training programme for teachers from primary, secondary and private schools who are trained to recognise early signs of dyslexia in children. The programme also extends to offering counseling methods for parents and families.
RBC Royal Bank Education Foundation also funds the Arrow Foundation literacy programme with training of teachers in the use of the Arrow learning initiative at the St Phillip's Government Primary School in Port-of-Spain.
The Royal Bank Education Foundation was established in 1977 to assist NGOs and community groups in the execution of programmes and initiatives that support the development of youth and education activities.