centre Edvenna major, L-R Chester Robards Chickcharney CEO, Tokoyo Duncombe, Chickcharney chief of operations, Altermease Major, mother of Edvenna, Sheila Culmer, President of the Bahamas National Council For Disability, Phil Brown, Chickcharney technical manager. Jason Taylor, Chickcharney president,
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Nassau, Bahamas - Edvenna Major
sat comfortably in her manual wheelchair, at her vendor's table in Pompey
Square - as she does most Saturdays - oblivious to the fact that her life was
about to get a little bit easier.
The four
principles of the Chickcharney Chirren group crossed Pompey Square quietly
pushing Edvenna's new powered wheelchair.
When they
reached her table she was immediately overcome with emotion, cupping her face
in her hands crying. Other vendors in the square broke out into loud applause
as she and CEO of Chickcharney Chirren, Chester Robards, shared an embrace.
The
Chickcharney Chirren was fulfilling its promise to the Bahamas National Council
for Disability (BNCD), following two successful Chickcharney Challenges, by
providing a powered wheelchair for one of its members.
"Thank you
for choosing me," Edvenna said.
President of
the Bahamas National Council for Disability, Sheila Culmer, came to Pompey
Square to be a part of the wheelchair handover.
"Thank you
all for what you do," she told the Chickcharney members.
As a crowd
began to gather around Edvenna she maneuvered herself expertly from her old
chair to the new powered chair and took it for a test drive. After one lap
around the square she joked: "I almost ran into that trash can. This is
going to take some getting used to."
Edvenna, who
was born with Spina-Bifida, is an entrepreneur, despite her disability. She
handcrafts trinkets and jewelry to sell to tourists and locals, consistently
wearing a smile for her customers.
"Edvenna
is inspiring," said Chester. "She is a model to be followed,
especially for able-bodied Bahamians who do not make use of their talents and
their mind.
"We hope
this chair will give Edvenna a lot more freedom, independence and encouragement
to continue pursuing her dreams and business."
The
Chickcharney Chirren held two one-of-a-kind obstacle runs called the
Chickcharney Challenge. The early morning runs took place within the lush
Clifton Heritage Park and included obstacles like nine foot high walls,
climbing ropes, ice pits, and barbed
wire crawls, to name a few.
The second
challenge was sponsored by Suntee, Wendy's, Marco's Pizza, Pappasurf, Jemi
Health and Wellness, Clifton Heritage, FYP, Liquid Courage, The Tribune,
Pupstar Entertainment, Simpleview Films. Doctor's Hospital and Bahamas Medical
Centre became an unofficial partner by have the largest team of people in both
challenges.
"We could
not have done this without our sponsors, who were more like partners,"
said Jason Taylor, president of the Chickcharney Chirren. "They were
pivotal in helping us to make this great thing happen for such a special young
lady.
"Even
JetBlue chipped in by waiving the baggage fee when the wheelchair was being
brought in, and we thank them specially. We were blessed with great
support."
They group said
they look forward to even more support with future challenges.