Project Inclusion/COMO Team-Up For Special Needs Wheelchair

Project Inclusion, a small organization looking to build an environment aimed at equipping the country’s children and adults with disabilities and Special Needs to thrive and live more fulfilling lives, on Wednesday, presented 10-year-old special needs child Stelliarh Gardiner of North Caicos with a full-service wheelchair.

Stelliarh Gardiner takes her first sit on her spanking new wheelchair. Sharing in the moment from left to right are: Kacy Higgs, a parent with a special needs child, and who works closely with Project Inclusion; Kelisa Forbes from COMO Parrot Cay Resort; Olique Rohan Stubbs, son of Orenico Handfield and a student at Raymond Gardiner High School, who was also instrumental in the project becoming a reality; Cilina Perrie, Stelliarh’s caregiver; Kadra Been-Handfield, who is described as the organization’s right hand woman; District Commissioner Cynclair Musgrove, who did yeomen work especially with the virtual concert; Tueton Williams, representing Parrot Cay Resort; and her mother Valeda Gardiner, the acting Vice Principal at Raymond Gardiner High School. Missing from photo is Pastor Rupert Gibson, who assisted getting the team together for this presentation.

Orenico Handfield, a member of Project Inclusion, told NewslineTCI that the acquisition of the device was done in conjunction with COMO Parrot Cay Resort.

The presentation of the wheelchair was not the first undertaking by Project inclusion, Handfield revealed.

“In May 2021, we collaborated with the HOPE Foundation and hosted our first “A Night to Shine” virtual concert. A few families who have children with special needs shared videos about their children and their progress as well as their challenges— such as their children not being included,” she said.

It was during the event, according to Handfield, that the 10-year-old was spotted, and immediately an effort was embarked upon to get her the wheelchair.

“During this event, we had a ‘spotlight recipient’, who was in desperate need of a wheelchair. We were blessed to get COMO Parrot Cay Resort to sponsor a customized and modernized wheelchair for this young lady,” Handfield stated.