Workshop Renamed: K. Margaret Carter Centre
The official ceremony for the renaming of the Opportunity Workshop to the K. Margaret Carter Centre was held today [June 1], with Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden saying was she “immensely proud” to rename the facility after an “icon of advocacy for the rights of all people.”
Ms Carter, who would have turned 76 years old today, was the founder and long-time chairperson of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association [BPHA] and championed the cause of people with disabilities.
Minister Atherden said, “Today we celebrate an exceptional woman who refused to be confined by her physical disability. Margaret Carter brought spirited advocacy to the cause of human rights.
“Her unique perspective which defied the times in which she was raised and lived makes her story that much more incredible.”
Minister Atherden, Jessica Lightbourne, Premier Michael Dunkley and Ronald Lighbourne
Minister Atherden said, “Margaret shared the same birthday as her good friend the late Dame Lois Browne-Evans and they would always make a point to wish each other happy birthday. Journalist Meredith Ebbin said of Margaret: “She was not afraid to challenge authority…”
“In her fifty-three years, Margaret Carter’s challenge to authority yielded many landmark achievements that stand as evidence of her success as an activist. Things we consider normal and part of how we now take care of those with physical disabilities are in fact part of Margaret’s legacy.
“They include ramps in the City of Hamilton, a residence for the physically disabled to live independently and the landmark inclusion of protection from discrimination in the Human Rights Act.”
Minister Atherden, MP Glen Smith, Wanda Dubois, MSA Principal Sue Moench, Premier & MSA students
“More than these things however, Margaret Carter changed the way we think about people with disabilities. Today, men and women with physical challenges serve on the front line in our public service and in the private sector. This facility now comprises a merged programme that provides a wider range of services to a greater number of clients,” Minister Atherden said.
“The rationale in support of this change was complimented by the adoption of a new model of care called the industrial model of service delivery. This model provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities through the production of goods and services for both the public and private sectors.
“The mission for this new initiative is: To promote service delivery that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities by preparing and providing them with meaningful work experience in an integrated community or extended employment through vocational, rehabilitation and supervised work experience that enhances their optimum quality of life.”
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I am immensely proud to rename the Opportunity Workshop after an icon of advocacy for the rights of all people,” said Minister Atherden.
“This permanent recognition of a woman who transcended her physical disabilities will serve as a constant reminder of her life’s work and contribution to this society.”
Why is a private school in the picture? Did she attend MSA?
Maybe they wanted to let the children experience an area of Bermuda they’re not familiar with.
A VIVID MEMORY OF CHILDHOOD
Yes, Margaret Carter, as a very young wheel-chair bound child, attended MSA. My earliest recollecting is the First Grade, a level for six-year old children. All who went to school with her will always remember Margaret’s mother pushing her each day into the classroom and then collecting her in the afternoon.
We were all too young to comprehend her disability, but I still see visions of her wrapped in pink knitted sweaters. As mounds of pillows supported her head, her twinkling eyes and full red lips smiled back at us. Amazingly,Margaret’s face never changed when she became an adult. A full-faced, blue-eyed wonder with rosy cheeks whose mind was a power house of ideas and creativity. I was fortunate to become close to Margaret and her companion Rosie in later years. She was brilliant, supported an incredible sense of humour, and was one of the strongest individuals I have ever known; to the people who loved her and the island she cherished, her early demise was a tragedy.
Clearly this is great news, particularly for Ms. Carter’s family to see her recognized in such a way. I don’t quite understand what role MSA has played here and why some of their students are pictured so perhaps someone can explain. In any case, there should at least have been some of the disabled who work at the workshop in the picture as well.
The members of the Bermuda Stroke & Family Support Association would like to extend our gratitude to the late Ms K. Margaret Carter for all she’d done over the years in helping those of us who were / are less fortunate than others…
I also would take this opportunity to thank the Government in renaming of the Opportunity Workshop to the K. Margaret Carter Centre.
Well I patiently waited to see if I was crazy in regards to a picture of MSA students and not the clients from The Opportunity Workshop being posted in this. I’m still confused as to the relevance of MSA especially since they are private sector and Opportunity Workshop is public sector.
And yet their parents still pay taxes that fund such facilities.
Only Bermudians can spew such hate on such an article.
You lot are disgusting and divisive.
I fail to see what MSA has to do with this school for the disabled. Why were the clients not in the picture? This is extremely annoying and MSA need to keep their students in the classroom!
Congrats to K Margaret Carter Centre. This is a great way to honor a special woman
I’m sure there’s a valid explanation for the presence of MSA students (perhaps their principal took them on a field trip to see the facility and understand how disabled persons can contribute to society), no need to show negativity on this.
As a mother of a child who had special needs and attended the Oppurtunity Workshop I feel the clients should have been the ones in the picture with the MP’s, it is fine to have the MSA students there for the experience with their Principal but the should have been watching from their seats not in the picture holding a sign for a school that they do not attend….the clients should have been a bigger part of this , I do not see any pictures of them at all. it is not disgusting to want what every parent wants for their child or family member, to be recognized for who they are at their own school but I guess you have to feel it to understand!