Saint Lucia and the transformative power of sports

The diversity of Saint Lucia's special needs community is celebrated at an event that took place as part of a drive to raise awareness of disability sport in the country.

An initiative to celebrate the diversity of Saint Lucia’s special needs community and the ability to thrive in spite of challenges was this week spearheaded by Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education Human Resource Management and Labour’s Special Education Unit and its special schools sports committee as part of a renewed physical activity drive to raise awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual and physical challenges.

The Smile Festival of Fun campaign was supported by primary sponsor Digicel and partner Diamond International, through its Caring Connections programme in association with the NGO the Sacred Sports Foundation.

The master of ceremonies during the launch on Tuesday November 20 2012 was Nikki Edmonds, a receptionist at the St Lucia Blind Welfare Association (otherwise known as soca artist Ally Cat). Being visually impaired, Nikki has had to overcome her own challenges and as always, performed superbly on the day.

More than 400 kids, teachers and parents from around Saint Lucia attended and took part in the festivities which took place at the Beausejour Stadium and included: volleyball, netball, basketball, skipping, football shooting, table tennis, wheelchair racing, blind cricket, soccerrama, bouncy castle, creative arts, bocce, face painting, a clown, balance and bounce and many more.

“We believe in a world where there are millions of different abilities but not disabilities," said Nova Alexander, the executive director of the Sacred Sports Foundation.

"People with intellectual and physical challenges are among the most vulnerable in Saint Lucia. All too often our Caribbean brothers and sisters cling to misperceptions and stereotypes; this type of event is an opportunity for us to challenge existing attitudes and perceptions. Sport helps showcase the skills and dignity of our special schools children. Sport changes attitudes by bringing people together- regardless of ability or disability -in a very special way. A typical unified sports game unites people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team."

"We urge all of our partners and friends to support Digicel’s Caring Connections programme. It is a wonderful initiative that provides a unique opportunity to assist youth and those with special challenges and, in doing so, opens an important gateway for our participants to achieve empowerment and acceptance. We know it works, so let’s help them all play sport and enjoy our communities to the full.”

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), an expo to help sensitise the public is scheduled to take place on November 30 2012 in Castries, Saint Lucia.