The Aall Foundation, which has given $75,000 to Inclusion Cayman, is challenging the community to support the local charity, pledging to match funds donated by the first 75 people or organisations.
Michael Binckes, the father of a special needs child who attended the Inclusion Cayman Making Waves breakfast Wednesday morning at The Ritz-Carlton, celebrated the donation as he appealed for support from the 500 people at the event to join the ‘Dream Makers Society’, which requires committing to support the charity for a minimum of five years.
“[A donation of] $5,000 each year can ensure, for example, that a child with disabilities has access to quality, inclusive education, a massive change,” Binckes said.
Embracing inclusion
Binckes talked about how Inclusion Cayman supported his family and his son Jordan, who had struggled to find schooling locally.
He said his son just wanted to be accepted, and “be with his buddies” at the same school.
Jordan was first accepted into a school with his friends, but “it did not take long for the heartbreak to set in”, as the school told Binckes and his wife, Lexi, “Jordan needs too much attention, he does not fit into a prescribed box.”
The school, he said, eventually kicked his son out, because Jordan could not solve math problems, had “no musical rhythm” and he could not skip.
“Yup, that was the final reason why Jordan was kicked out of school… he could not skip. Try explaining to a 5-year-old why he cannot go to school anymore with all his friends… why he has to go to another school… try explaining that, try to find the words,” Binckes said.
The family was eventually able to enrol Jordan in Grace Christian Academy where he was “welcomed and accepted”.
“Being different is actually OK. It’s called inclusion,” Binckes said.
Community support needed
Michael Austin, director at the Aall Foundation, said supporting Inclusion Cayman was a “no brainer”.
“Inclusion Cayman does invaluable work. Without question, it’s an organisation which needs support, and which should get that support, because it’s vital in our community that everyone is included, including those special needs,” Austin said, adding his granddaughter, who has special needs, has benefitted from the work the organisation does.
In welcoming the large turnout at the breakfast, Inclusion Cayman CEO Shan Harriman noted the event is the organisation’s lone fundraiser.
She said the charity relies solely on private donations mainly received from the Dream Makers, who usually sign on at the event.
“We always like to encourage an inspirational story so that the community can have a better understanding of what Inclusion does, the families that we support and the way that we’re trying to make the community more accessible and inclusive for all persons with disabilities,” she said.
Special employees
One of the stories shared at the event was Jaryed Myles’s journey to employment.
His father, James Myles, of the Youth Services Unit, in an emotional speech, spoke of how hard it was to watch his son denied opportunities that were open to others.
“We need to find room for everyone in our community, and this is where Inclusion Cayman is filling the gap; they filled the gap for my family and, with your support, they will fill the gap for many more persons with disabilities in our community,” he said.
Myles recounted that, after previously having to take his son to work with him, Jaryed was now employed at PwC as an office assistant, and has been thriving.
He said things he did not think were possible for his son were now happening, like his ability to be independent, and to save towards buying a home.
These are the dreams, he said, that Cayman as a community should strive to give those with special needs.
Jaryed, who also spoke at the event, said he was proud to be employed.
“I work in the business services team at PwC. With my pay cheque, I am saving my money to buy my own home and travel the world. Thank you to Inclusion Cayman and PwC for making my dreams come true,” he said, as he was greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Harriman said Inclusion Cayman has eight fully employed clients, but there are 18 on the waiting list.
She has seen an increase in local businesses seeking those with special needs, to become more inclusive, a most welcome change, she said.
“We work with partners within the business community to identify a genuine need for that business,” she said, adding the organisation looks for the most suitable candidate for both the company and the individual.
Once hired, she said, Inclusion Cayman shadows the individuals at their jobs, provides support for the employer and then eventually reduces its role to check-ins.
“It’s been a real success so far,” she added.
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