New Handicapped Service For Children in Saint Martin
A centre for handicapped children, Service d'Education et de Soins Specialise a Domicile (SESSAD), was inaugurated by President Louis-Constant Fleming on Rue de Hollande, Marigot - Saint Martin, on Wednesday evening.
The two-storey renovated building located next to Nina Duverly School has been designed to house the consulting offices of the specialist staff and doctors. However, their work will take them mostly out to the homes of the children. Also attending the function were Prefet Delegue Dominque Lacroix, Education Inspector Robert Rom-ney who represents the Collectivites of St. Martin and St.Barths, Health Inspector Stephane Barlerin, vice-presidents of the Collectivite, and members of various service clubs and other health officials.
The Soroptimists Club of St.Martin formed Coralita Association in 2002, which permitted the handicapped service to be created with the assistance of several partners. The service caters to children and young adults ages up to maximum 20 years. Currently nine specialist staff members work in the centre, including a director, secretary, psychologists, therapists, and special educators. All were introduced by name. Coralita Association President Rose Nicolas said the service was badly needed on the French side.
Around: 100 children on the French side are registered as handicapped and parents don't have any help at home while handicapped children who do go to school find the work hard to follow," she noted. She said the centre had been equipped and furnished by the association and staff members were paid through the Social Security system.
Director of the facility Andre Duplessis explained its objectives. Lacroix, Fleming, Robert Romney, and Rose Nicolas also gave short addresses. Fleming said the launching of the service coincided well with the launching of the Collectivite. "This service will be of great help to handicapped children," he said. "All societies need to have this.
On behalf of the Executive Council, Territorial Council, and people of St. Martin, I congratulate the Soroptimists Club and the Coralita Association on this endeavor." One of the children, Leroy Gousset (10), cut the ribbon to open the centre, after which guests were shown around the facility.
