From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
PM Christie Pledges Land to Mitchell Ekedede Brain Injury Foundation
By Betty Vedrine, BIS
Jun 1, 2014 - 5:52:53 PM
The Mitchell Ekedede Brain Injury Foundation has been officially launched. The event was held at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort on Tuesday, May 27. Delivering keynote remarks at the event was Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)
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Nassau,
The Bahamas – Bahamians suffering from traumatic brain injuries will soon have
access to local rehabilitation services.
On
Tuesday, May 27, the Mitchell Ekedede Brain Injury Foundation was launched at
the Melia Nassau Beach Resort, with Prime Minister Perry Christie delivering
the keynote address and launch declaration.
The foundation was established in order to
assist persons locally and Mr. Christie confirmed the Government’s commitment
pledging crown land for an edifice for the foundation.
“The
government has a stake in what you are doing and so tonight, I would like to
tell you that we are committing to contribute the land on which to build the
foundation,” said Mr. Christie. “I will remain close to this cause and will pay
close attention to the foundation as hundreds of thousands of dollars will be
spent for this worthy cause.”
Mr.
Christie also congratulated all the persons involved in the foundation and said
that he was "deeply grateful" to those who volunteered their time to
be a part of the foundation.
Co-founder
and Trustee, Dr. Magnus Ekedede said he was overjoyed that the
"dream" had finally become a reality and said every measure will be
taken to ensure transparency and accountability in the operation of the
foundation.
The
goals of the foundation include: To provide financial support, to provide
information, to create awareness and to build a brain trauma centre.
Recounting
his own personal experience with brain trauma as a result of a stroke, Mr.
Christie said the "fight to recover is an incredible and difficult one.”
Demont
Mitchell, son of Matthew Mitchell (co-founder & trustee), shared his story
of being involved in a car accident, which resulted in major brain injury.
Demont fell asleep at the wheel of his car while driving and had an accident.
He said the recovery process has been a long, painful and difficult one but he
was optimistic about his future. Also providing a testimonial was Ms. Chacelle
Johnson who also sustained brain injuries as a result of a car accident.
The
trustees of the foundation include: Matthew Mitchell, co-founder; Dr. Magnus
Ekedede, co-founder; OAT "Tommy"
Turnquest, co-chairperson; Ms. Johanna Mayson, co-chairperson &
secretary; Larry Gibson, treasurer.
Other trustees include: Anthony Ferguson,
Craig Gomez, Dwayne Gibson, Dr.
Fabian Thurston and Dr. Zonya Mitchell.
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