Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona, says more can be done to assist the disabled in society.Carmona made the comment during the handing over ceremony of gifts donated to the residents and students of the Lady Hochoy Home in Cocorite by the First Lady of the People's Republic of China, Madame Peng Liyuan, on Tuesday. "We have improved, but we are still not where we should be," Carmona told the gathering.
"We as a society will be judged by how we treat those who cannot help themselves. The strong must always help the weak. I am aware directly and have been made aware indirectly of the challenges faced by the Lady Hochoy Homes, past and present."
Carmona said disabled people are usually forgotten.
"I am speaking about our voiceless citizens, our silent men, women and children, who are here with us today and traditionally would have been locked away and ignored, and treated as though they do not have the same rights as every other citizens.
"Sadly, I remember there was a time in T&T when you would not know that there was a disabled or differently-abled child in a family."
Carmona said these children would be forced into isolation, to be considered lucky if they were allowed to even look out of a window."It was considered taboo for anyone in the family to speak about them and, unjustifiably and inhumanely, they were regarded as a source of shame on the family," she said.
She added, "We need more love, and our citizens here today can show us how to achieve it because they exude love. The aid that has been received will go a very long way in improving the standard of living and education provided to the residents of the Lady Hochoy Homes, both in Cocorite and Gasparillo."
Buses donated
Two buses which were also donated to the home, Carmona said, will give the children an opportunity to visit places of interest.She said Christmas for many of the residents of the two Lady Hochoy Homes is a grim reminder of families who may have abandoned them.
"But we must show that each and every one of them matter and can find genuine love in these very homes. An occasion like this demonstrates caring and inclusiveness," she said.Superintendent at the home, Sister Bertil Dean, echoed Carmona's sentiments.Dean said she visited the centre in Gasparillo and saw how parents had to lift their children out of their vehicles to enter the compound.
Ambassador to the People's Republic of China to T&T Huang Xingyuan said the gifts represented the love of the Chinese people and he was honoured to be present for the handing over.The gifts included the two buses, multifunctional beds, four and six burner gas stoves, gas fryer stoves, dough mixers, three level dining carts and computers.