PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Dr. Yadira Boston of the CLIMB Foundation is urgently calling upon the adult community of St. Martin to put an end to the bullying of differently abled children and adults who require additional time, accommodations, or specialized care to complete tasks. The stigma that perpetuates social barriers and fosters hate toward these individuals overwhelmingly originates from adults in our community.
It is disheartening to witness grown individuals using platforms like Facebook to belittle those who may take longer to accomplish certain tasks. This harmful behavior not only damages the self-esteem of these individuals but also profoundly affects their families. “So, what if they take long?”
Recently, one adult shockingly referred to some children as “the dunce children.” Such attitudes are unacceptable and reflect a misguided belief in superiority based on speed or ease of task completion. As schools in St. Maarten strive to create more inclusive environments, they cannot shoulder this burden alone.
Genuine inclusion demands a fundamental shift in mindset and a collective commitment from the St. Maarten community to recognize and celebrate that every individual, regardless of ability, is equally deserving of respect and support.
Let’s stand together to foster an environment of understanding and compassion for all.
Adults stop the bullying!
