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PAGINA 12 DIARIO
Na opinion di Parlamentario Alvin Molina di MEP:
Mester sigui inverti den diferente
aspecto pa trece movimento back
na San Nicolas
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Pa trece desaroyo pariba di
brug y movimento di hende ta necesario pa inverti den
diferente aspecto. Na opinion di Alvin Molina, Parla-
mentario di MEP, e proyectonan grandi (macro) man-
era un hotel, un industria riba tereno di refineria y ag- these signs were disregarded, and I learned to Moreover, rather than receiving assistance
ricultura como un pilar economico nobo lo genera mas
entrada pa caha di pueblo y crea un “spin off” pa varios
negoshi.
E proyectonan mes por ehempel, un cancha deport-
ivo, embeyecemento, cultura, siguridad den trafico y
mantencion ta haci e infrastructura mas atractivo y ac-
cesibel. Mas miho e proyectonan macro y meso ta or-
ganiza, mas oportunidad tin pa actividadnan (economi-
co) micro ta exitoso, entre otro, e negoshinan chikito y
actividadnan social, cultural y deportivo den bario.
Pa logra un bon balans entre e posibel desaroyonan
ta necesario pa profesionalnan guia e proceso basa riba
e deseo di pueblo. Pesey na April 2022, el a entrega un
mocion pa gobierno contrata un “economic developer/
city planner/nation builder/community designer” pa
yuda cu e desaroyo pariba di brug for di Pos Chiquito
te cu Sero Colorado.
Un bon ehempel di un proyecto cu lo yuda haci centro
di San Nicolas mas atractivo t’e proyecto di nos Min-
ister di Economia Geoffrey Wever. Hunto cu su cole-
ganan e minister lo ehecuta un plan pa embeyece e area
di Arubus na San Nicolas y crea diferente actividad cu
henter famia por gosa di dje, manera deporte, speeltuin
y “farmers market”.
E ta spera tambe cu e plan aki lo yuda p’e exito di
Promenade contagia e parti mas pariba di mainstreet.
Minister Wever a duna oido na mi peticion door di co-
labora cu e arkitecto local Raffy Kock cu ta un “city
planner” gradua na Universidad di Delft. Danki na nos
Minister di Economia pa yuda cu e desaroyo di centro
di San Nicolas y pa duna oido na mi mocion.
DIALUNA 8 APRIL 2024
# Special
— Call To Action Forum —
Discurso di hoben Kay Quandus
di Aruba na Nacionnan Uni
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Siman pasa den un such as my support network or counselors, do
foro organisa na Nacionnan Uni na New York, not fulfill their roles effectively. They fail to
e dama hoben Kay Quandus di Aruba a tene un ensure that I receive assistance from essential
discurso den perfecto ingles pa e foro aki ded- resources like food banks, neglecting to even
ica na "Call to Action Forum". Aki DIARIO inquire about my well-being. This lack of
ta reproduci completamente e discurso di Kay attention and support leaves me feeling aban-
a duna na tur delegadonan. doned and isolated, compounding the difficul-
"Hi all, as you heard my name is Kay ties I already face as a person with develop-
Quandus, this is my first time in the USA and mental disabilities.
UN so I'm extra nervous. I'll be talking about Despite efforts to advocate for inclusivity
Autism and Mental Health. and equality, systemic bar-
At the age of 15, I riers continue to hinder the
received a diagnosis of full participation and well-
autism following a signifi- being of individuals like
cant crisis. The intensity of myself. It underscores the
this episode left me so pro- urgent need for compre-
foundly overwhelmed that I hensive support systems
experienced memory loss and policies that address
and regressed to function- the holistic needs of indi-
ing at the level of a 5-year- viduals with developmen-
old child for several tal disabilities, ensuring
months. equitable access to health-
This crisis marked the care, financial assistance,
beginning of my journey of and social support.
self-discovery. Not only did The report states that
I learn about my autism enforcing standards of uni-
diagnosis, but I also discov- versal design requires
ered that I was contending with numerous attention not only to physical infrastructure but
mental health conditions associated with it. also better access to assistive devices (e.g.,
Finally having a label for my experiences noise-canceling headphones and weighted
allowed me to articulate and comprehend the vests for those with autism). Yet I was almost
neglect I endured during my childhood. kicked out of school because of my needs,
which were deemed in comparison to my neu-
Signs of my neurodivergence first emerged
when I was just 3 years old. Unfortunately, rotypical peers as excessive.
navigate life as best as I could with the limited and accommodations, I encountered resistance
resources available to me. and hostility from school authorities. The
According to the WHO-UNICEF Global
threat of being expelled loomed over me sim-
report of 2023, People with developmental ply because I required additional support to
disabilities are more likely to have obesity, thrive in the educational environment.
It is because of my self-advocacy and the
diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, and support from a number of teachers that today
mental health conditions. Reading about the
challenges faced by individuals with autism they are more accepting. This however, is not
and the impact on mental health deeply res- the reality for all students.
These stressors have caused me to face new
onates with my own journey. The struggles mental-health challenges as I am in constant
with social interactions, sensory sensitivities,
and communication difficulties were profound fear of being excluded from participating in
aspects of my upbringing that I continue to classes. Once again, my support network
grapple with to this day. which consists of mental-health professionals
are unable to fully understand my situation and
As the report emphasizes, it's crucial that chil-
dren and young people with developmental even tell me that it is "normal" for me to face
disabilities receive equal access to promotive, challenges in education. I wonder, do my neu-
preventive care, and rehabilitation interven- rotypical students truly face these many chal-
lenges? I highly doubt it.
tions, just like other children. Unfortunately, While I appreciate the incremental improve-
my personal experience aligns with this con-
cern. Growing up in an environment that ments in awareness and inclusivity in Aruba, it
lacked understanding and support for my is crucial to acknowledge the persistent barri-
ers that individuals with developmental dis-
unique needs led to a profound sense of isola- abilities continue to face in educational set-
tion and loneliness.
Now, as an adult, I still experience the effects tings. It underscores the ongoing need for
of this lack of support, particularly in my advocacy and systemic change to ensure equi-
financial situation. My disability benefit falls table access to education for all students,
regardless of their unique needs or abilities.
short of covering both my bills and food
expenses, forcing me to make difficult choices My hope is that by acknowledging these
and prioritize necessities. This financial strain challenges and advocating for change, we can
adds to the challenges I face in accessing prop- create a more compassionate and understand-
ing world for individuals with autism, both
er healthcare.
Furthermore, the individuals who are sup- children, and adults, to thrive and find the sup-
posed to guide me through these challenges, port they deserve.
Telefonnan di DIARIO
582-6747