Kailah James was the recipient of a brand new wheel chair compliments the Rotary Club of Liamuiga in conjunction with the Republic of China (Taiwan) earlier this month. A few months ago, the Rotary Club of Laimuiga reached out to Ambassador Wu, a member of the club, for his help and he immediately arranged for a special chair with a reclining back to be shipped for her. A student of the Washington Archibald High School, Kailah spends much of her time in a wheelchair and has been experiencing a problem with her back, irritated by the regular straight back chairs. As well as the reclining capabilities, the new chair is much lighter and easier to handle and should be of great ease to her.
President of the Rotary Club of Liamuiga, Laverne Caines was on hand to witness the presentation which took place at the Embassy’s headquarters on Taylor’s Range. Ambassador Wu from the Embassy, supported by the Assistant Governor of Rotary for St Kitts and Nevis, Chris English and Mr Anthony Mills, President of the St Kitts Nevis Association of People with Disabilities witnessed the brief handing over ceremony to Kailah who was assisted by her mother.
“We can only imagine the discomfort that you have complained about, but we surely hope that this new wheel chair would bring significant relief as you go about your daily life as a student,” Mrs Caines remarked. In reply Kailah said: “I am happy that the Rotary Club of Liamuiga and the Ambassador for the Republic of China (Taiwan) have helped me with this new chair. I hope this will relieve some of the pain I get in my back and I will let you know as I get used to it. I am very grateful; thank you.”
Earlier this year, the Rotary Club of Liamuiga also distributed several wheelchairs to persons in both St. Kitts and Nevis, as part of a joint project with one of the Rotary Clubs of Trinidad & Tobago. The Club has also recently completed an exercise to determine the need for side walk and ramp access to businesses in the city centre. The next step is to seek the partnership of those businesses to assist with the execution of this project that would make access easier and more comfortable to wheel chair users. The Club also plans to work closely with the Association for people with Disabilities and has already given its commitment to the Association’s President, Mr Anthony Mills.
