Be Our Guest!

By 2022- Mateo won’t have a school to go to

Yesterday Autism Belize did a training for the Institute of the Creative Arts Summer Camp Staff. It was one of the best trainings we’ve had to date. They had LOTS of questions and showed so much interest. They were fully engaged! It was clear they really want to have a truly inclusive camp. 

During this training, I mentioned a family who has been unable to get their child into any high school in Belize. The camp staff were shocked. Yes, the Convention for the Rights of the Child clearly states that children have a right to an education. But what if no high school is willing to accept or make accommodations for a child with Down syndrome? Forcing the school to accept such students may cause reluctance to work with her.

You all know Mateo. That’s going to be him next year. He’ll have aged out of Horizon. No high school will accept him. So then what? There are many such cases out there. So many persons with disabilities face lack of equal, let alone equitable access to basic services. This leads to exclusion – on so many levels.

Can you see me? ‘Cause I’m right here. Can you listen? ‘Cause I’ve been trying to make you notice.

~Somebody, Lemonade Mouth

The more I read old reports, agendas and plans of the past, the more it is clear to me that persons with disabilities are more of an afterthought- if we are even thought of at all. Seriously, I am not whining. It’s a fact. We’ll be in a plan or agenda for some area of focus, and if we are mentioned at all, you’ll just see tacked on: “and special needs, and/or persons with disabilities”.  That’s all that is said. We haven’t had any long term planning or even an agenda on how to integrate our vulnerable persons into society.

Be our guest! Be our guest! Our command is your request.

It’s been years since we’ve had anybody here… And we’re obsessed…Let us help you, we’ll keep going

~Be Our Guest, Beauty and the Beast

I am not discouraged, though. We HAVE been meeting with relevant ministries, like the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology. It’s been very clear from day one since  the Special Envoy’s appointment that Mrs. Briceño has persons with disabilities as a priority. The Belize Assembly for Persons with Disabilities (BAPDA), the National Council for Aging and Autism Belize have been working with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics to plan on how we can have a more accessible transport system.

And now this week, representing Autism Belize, I attended the inaugural meeting of the National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) as a new member! This is actually a big step for special needs families in Belize. We’ve got a seat at the table! *Cue Happy Dance Here*

I wanna be where the people are…Wish I could be…Part of that world

~Part of That World, The Little Mermaid

The new chairperson, Ms. Arreini Palacio Morgan, seems as enthused as I am. She gave us our mandate  in her welcome address and contacted us individually  to prepare us for the work ahead. Many of the committee members spoke about the need to ‘move mountains’.  It was obvious they are happy to be there and want to make a difference. 

For me though, and for our Autism Belize parents,  this means so much more. So many of our families have been fighting for so long to be seen; we have wanted to be “a part of that world”. So, let’s celebrate being included at this level of advocacy!

And we’re not alone in celebrating either. The NCFC has also included representation from Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness for Les/Bi Women (Petal). I know they are very grateful to be there too.

I messed up tonight. I lost another fight. Lost to myself, but I’ll just start again

I keep falling down. I keep on hitting the ground. But I always get up now to see what’s next

I won’t give up. No, I won’t give in till I reach the end. And then I’ll start again

~Try Everything, Zootopia

So members of the NCFC, I do hope you are ready. Because this outspoken special needs mama has been battling for her son since before we got an official diagnosis. And now, well, I’m battling for many more kiddos, and I’ve got MANY other strong special needs moms and dads propping me up, pushing me forward, and ensuring that we all move into the light; and, most importantly, that we stay there. 

I am brave, I am bruised. I am who I’m meant to be, this is me

Look out ’cause here I come. And I’m marching on to the beat I drum

I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies, this is me

~This is Me, The Greatest Showman