thebahamasweekly.com - GBPA Joins Forces With REACH Grand Bahama

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Grand Bahama
GBPA Joins Forces With REACH Grand Bahama
By GBPA
Nov 20, 2014 - 7:17:05 PM

Dr. Telina Smith, GBPA Donations Committee Administrator (right) presents a donation to Valerie Seymour, REACH Grand Bahama chairperson to assist with the organization’s upcoming Autism seminars.

Freeport, Grand Bahama – Autism, a disorder that occurs four to five times more in boys than girls has been characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.

As this disease affects a number of persons within The Bahamas, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) has joined forces with REACH Grand Bahama, the local chapter of a national organization to assist in its upcoming efforts geared towards informing persons about the disorder that affects neurodevelopment.

REACH Grand Bahama Chairperson, Valerie Seymour expressed her appreciation for GBPA’s support in the nonprofit organization’s dedication to enriching the lives of all interested persons within the community who are affected by this disorder. “We were really pleased to get this donation because the funds that we get from the community is used to provide training to parents and teachers and professionals with regards to Autism and what it is, how to deal with the various behaviors that come about,” said Seymour. “We’ve had persons from the Police Cadets, the College of The Bahamas and so we look forward to using this donation for the next training that will happen early next year,” Seymour added.

The organization chairperson also shared that the upcoming seminars are conducted three to four times per year in Grand Bahama and this year’s speaker will be long time supporter Michael McGinty, a lecturer at the Florida Atlantic University.

Seymour said she looks forward to other persons taking on the initiative to support their attempt to better equip persons within the community. “We really appreciate this donation and we look forward to other companies and institutions contributing to this effort,” said Seymour.

GBPA President Ian Rolle stated that, “it is indeed our pleasure to lend our support to the REACH Grand Bahama organization as they seek to better the lives of not only persons affected by this disorder, but also others within the community,” said Rolle.

“We look forward to offering our support in the future as we seek to better the lives of the Grand Bahama community and by extension, The Bahamas,” Rolle concluded.