NATHAN EBANKS FOUNDATION

Our Inspiration: Why we do what we do

The Nathan Ebanks Foundation is by one truly exceptional and amazing child, Nathan Kingsley Ebanks, whose young life has given us a peek behind the veil of disability and helped us catch a glimpse of the truly amazing potential of man, God's ultimate creation.

Nathan Kingsley Ebanks, “A Treasured Gift of God” was born at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston Jamaica, on May 4, 2004. He was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a rare life-threatening birth defect, which affects mainly boys at a ratio of 1 in every 2,200 live births.

Nathan underwent major corrective surgery at two days old to repair the breech. He battled for life in the first 28 days following his birth, and beat the odds. In the ensuing months following his discharge from the hospital however, Nathan’s development registered significant lags, and after months of speculation, he was diagnosed with Dyskenetic Cerebral Palsy at 9 months old. This diagnosis  ushered in what would become the most significant fight of his life.

In the early years following his disagnosis, his parents recalled that it was not the  actual disability that challenged them, but rather the limited information and intervention services that was available to them in Jamaica. Despite the best efforts of the local doctors, after two years, the couple found themselves no closer to understanding the nature of the disability and the effects that it would have on their son's development and life.

Inspired by their son’s struggles and their desire to learn how to help him, the couple turned overseas to seek out answers.  Their search  led them to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sunrise Florida, where in 2007, where they would receive their first ray of hope...

It was at this facility, through  comprehesive assessments for Nathan and parent and family training,   that they learned about the nature of the disability, and how to support their son's development. They returned home to Jamaica, armed with this new knowledge and moved by a deep desire to share what they had learned with other parents. This led them to host the first workshop for parents under the theme “Building a Brighter Future for Children with Disabilities in Jamaica” in 2007, which planted the seeds for the establishment of the Nathan Ebanks Foundation two years later.

Each day continues to be both a struggle for Nathan as his family as they seek to enable his development in a limiting environment, and a gift to them as he continues to teach and inspire to adapt to support his emerging needs.  

Nathan attends a mainstream school, and each day presents his family, teachers and peers with glimpses behind the veil of the indomitable spirit of man and “children can only paint the rainbow with the colors that we give them.

  ~ Nathan’s Mom and Dad

Our Vision

Our  vision is to see  children with disabilities and other exceptional needs in Jamaica be given their "God-given" rights to be valued, treated with respect and dignity, and be given the opportunities as their non disabled peers to reach their full potential (spiritually, physically and intellectually) and be fully included in life within their communities.

Our Mission

 Our mission is to advance the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and inclusion of children and youths with disabilities and other special needs through advocacy, education, empowerment and strategic partnerships.

This includes:

• Bringing hope and resources of encouragement to the children and their families.
• Providing practical assistance by offering free respite care for the children and counseling for the parents, families and caregivers.
• Providing scholarships and educational resource assistance.
• Advocating for, and promote equity, relevance and access in educational systems for the children.
• Educating and equipping the community with opportunities, tools, training and resources to give the children increased opportunities and possibilities to develop their potential.
• Providing professional development & preparation for teachers/educators to equip them to include and effectively teach and support the children with disabilities in their programs.
• Advocating for the children on national, regional community and international  platforms

Our Motto

ALL   KIDS  COUNT !

Our Operating Philosophy

The Nathan Ebanks Foundation is an ambassador of love, and is founded as a response initiative to help bridge the gap for advocacy, information and training for parents, teachers and other professionals involved in caring for children with disabilities and other special/exceptional needs. Honouring human life is our passion.

We believe that:

• Every human being has an entitlement to personal, social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual development and must be given the opportunity to achieve his/ her potential in learning.
• Every human being is unique in terms of characteristics, interests, abilities, motivation and learning needs.
• Those with special education needs, exceptional learning needs and / or disabilities should have access to high quality and appropriate education.
• Every human being has the right to be included.

Our Values

The values of the Nathan Ebanks Foundation   is based in Christian Heritage and is committed to love, hope, faith, creativity, honesty and integrity as we seek to minister God's love to the children and their families in practical ways.

Some quick facts about disability

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that:

• There are over 600 million children with disabilities globally (10 % of the world’s children).
• 80 % of these children live in developing countries, including Jamaica.
• Disabilities are defined world wide as having sensory, intellectual, cognitive, physical or mental health impairment.
• Only 2% of people with disabilities in developing countries have access to rehabilitation, education and appropriate basic services.
• Most children with disabilities and their families face discrimination daily and are not yet able to fully enjoy their basic human rights.

The Jamaican Situation

In Jamaica:

• The Ministry of Education estimates that at least 25% of the school age population has one or more disabilities.
• Protection of persons with disabilities has been enacted.
• Laws are being reformed and new structures are being built.
• Almost 90 % of children with disabilities do not attend school nor have access to rehabilitation and appropriate basic services.

VISION 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan

VISION STATEMENT

The vision statement for persons with disabilities for VISION 2030 is:

 “A society that is inclusive, accessible, provides opportunities for ALL and recognizes the Rights, freedoms and responsibilities of persons with disabilities in the process of nation building”