PHILIPSBURG--A heartfelt donation in commemoration of Father’s Day 2018 has been provided by Terry Peterson to 17 year old Irene Julie Brooks to assist her in obtaining a fully automated stair-lift for her home in Belvedere.
Irene, a beautiful teen with an infectious smile, who attends the Sister Basilica center for special needs children, was born with Cerebral Palsy, a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills, i.e. the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way. CerebralPalsy is usually caused by brain damage that happens before or during a baby's birth, or during the first 3 to 5 years of a child's life.
“I met Irene while visiting the Sister Basilica Center and homes in the Belvedere Community with Ms. Esthica Cannegieter, and I was moved to tears to see her discomfort in how she had basically outgrown her wheel chair, and how her adopted mom (unemployed at the time) had to struggle to carry her up and down the narrow stairs to her room. I promised them that I would do all I can to help her with some automated assistive technologies to help make their life less stressful. Although, it took sometime due to Irma, but we are closer to adding some sunshine to their lives,” said Terry Peterson.
Peterson said he had already performed some preliminary quick scans with specialized companies such as Ameriglide and Acorn for a suitable stair lift. The family will also be engaging the St. Maarten Housing Foundation and the appropriate government ministries for the necessary approvals to see how this can become a reality as quickly as possible.
Peterson through the foundation Together We Can Foundation has often championed the need for more assistive technologies for the physically challenged. Assistive technologies play a vital role in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. It is any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with special needs.
“I know there are many more like Irene in our community, and despite our recent setbacks and challenges we must continue to empower and assist our St. Maarten special needs children with the tools to communicate, hear, write, and perform their daily activities with greater independence and with auto-powered mobility,” Peterson said.
If you would like to join in supporting this venture or making a donation directly to Irene you may contact her legal guardian Germaine Brooks on 721 553-0577 or Gigi Brooks on facebook.
Irene is brother to Jamali whose vision was badly damaged in a car accident in Anguilla:
