MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – As countries around the world continue to take action to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are under particular stress – and more so the parents of children with disabilities.
Although children are generally not at high risk from the virus, illnesses of any sort can be especially dangerous for children with special needs. The Digicel Foundation has helped ease their parents' burden by donating a month's supply of disposable diapers to the Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago. The Society is a support group which was established in 1993 to assist parents whose children have cerebral palsy, and includes an annual visit from an International Physical Therapist as well as ongoing professional advice to families about caring for children with cerebral palsy.
The request for assistance came from Mr. Phil Metivier, President of the Cerebral Palsy Society. "So many parents have lost their jobs since the country was advised to stay home, it has become difficult for them to manage without an income," Mr. Metivier explained, as he conveyed the gratitude of the 36 parents whose children will benefit from the Digicel Foundation's donation.
As Trinidad and Tobago takes all necessary precautions to contain and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Digicel Foundation continues to provide needed support to vulnerable groups as part of their global mandate to create a world where no one gets left behind.