School for disabled youth a Cuban jewel

By Barbara Collins

HAVANA - The Solidarity with Panama School in Havana, Cuba, is unique in Latin America. In another sense, it is a school like any other in Cuba.

On a recent trip to Cuba, I visited the school and met with students and staff. It has 173 children ranging in ages from 8 through 18. Many are boarding students. Others are day students, returning by bus to their homes in the evenings.

They are provided with their three meals a day (a special high-protein diet is provided for them), whatever medication they need (that is available) and their regular school classes. Their attitude and smiles underscore their self assurance and the love they feel. You can't fake smiles like these!

But Solidarity with Panama - the name is a testament to Cuba's humanitarianism - is different. It is for those with multiple handicaps.

All these children have major physical problems. Most are in wheelchairs, many on crutches or pushing walkers; some are visually or hearing impaired. Each child has a story.

Raulito is 8 but looks 4. He has spina bifida and is mildly retarded. Because his mother was a deaf-mute, he communicates with his dancing eyes, bright smile and his own unique language.

He runs to Mary, an American journalist, who has not only discovered this school but, in a large sense, adopted it. She would take Raulito home with her, but cannot give him the specialized attention that this school provides.

Moise is extremely handsome and a highly verbal, articulate 12-year-old. An accident severed his spinal column and he cannot straighten up. He can walk, but only on all fours - with the speed of a race horse, I might add. He is everywhere, talking, assisting, directing, from his wheelchair or maintaining his breakneck hand-foot pace.

The boys and girls are about equally divided. The staff numbers 146, an impressive ratio of staff to student. The Cuban government spends $40 a day on each student. They have a special therapy department with mirror-lined walls to check on how they are doing and "how to do it better."

There are also arts and crafts classes, with impressive displays of the students' skill and imagination. One picture shows a beautiful long-haired girl with a tear in her eye. This student died several months ago. Sadly, not all make it to graduation.

A team consisting of a teacher, psychologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, social worker and doctor examines any new student. Psychometrics are used to prepare a program for the child and for appropriate placement, whether boarding or day student status.

Some deeply retarded children are placed with specially trained foster families and a special program is set up for them.

This school enjoys certain privileges. It sits across the street from a hospital that can provide instant assistance.

It has no blackouts because is hooked up to that facility's generators so that if there should be a blackout the hospital and school are never affected. The school maintains contact with all pediatric hospitals and specialists throughout the province.

Three such schools were planned to be placed at each end of the island and one in central Cuba, but the belt-tightening "Special Period" hit hard and plans for the two sister schools had to be put on hold.

What was most impressive, beyond the students' smiles and camaraderie among themselves and with the staff, was the self-confidence they exuded. They are given no slack. They will have to function in the real world one day soon. They have to learn to deal with everyday experiences, to move beyond their handicaps. And they do.

There is a garden for which the older children are responsible. And they are quite proud of their handiwork.

But despite the love and respect showered on these young people, and the valuable dollars that are expended on their behalf, there are needs. When questioned about what is needed most, the response was ointments for body ulcers and sores.

The students were all clean and well-dressed in their school uniforms, The staff is well-trained and most have been here since the school opened nine years ago. They know each child's name, personality and disability.

The bonds were evident. These kids are all recognized as individuals - special individuals. These are children who are loved, well-cared for, but above all, respected.