Photo Caption: Entertainer High A Ziya (l) Maia Chung Managing Director of The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation (c) and Chino McGregor Jamaican Reggae Music Star... at the Wyndham Kingston Jamaica where the inaugural Autism and Disabilities Ambassadors Awards Banquet was held on April 28-2012 the fourth anniversary of the Foundation.
The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation, selected charity for annual “All White Party” by prominent business man David “Squeeze” Annakie.
Philanthropist and prominent media mogul David “Squeeze Annakie” after being informed of the impending closure facing the Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation from Jamaica has selected it as the key charity group that he will focus on when he holds his annual “All White Party”, an event geared towards supporting a charitable cause.
Autism is described as a complex disorder of the brain that significantly impairs a person’s ability to respond to his/her surroundings and form relationships with others. The disorder is often characterized by restricted interest and repetitive behavior. It affects people of all racial, ethnic and socio economic background although boys are generally affected at four times the rate of girls.
The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation is the first Autism focused FOUNDATION to be established in Jamaica. Since its inception the group, have won numerous awards in Jamaica and internationally.
The four year old foundation has successfully raised over 10 million dollars to date to:
• Provide support funding for Autistic and otherwise disabled people to carry out the following: pay for therapies, buy wheelchairs and parental counseling.
• provide family support where necessary( buying groceries, diapers etc)
• pay school fees
• facilitate and fund diagnostic services for the poor who are affected
• purchased equipment for Autism and Disabilities schools
• providing furniture items for Autism impacted families who cannot work to purchase
However despite all the efforts that has been made by the foundation on April 3o, 2012 the foundation issued a statement to the media that it would be discontinuing all forms of outreach activities; citing the Jamaican Government's obvious disregard for those living with the mental disorder.
The Founder Maia Chung who was motivated after one of her three sons was diagnosed with Autism to start the foundation to lobby for children suffering from the developmental disorder, which impairs social interaction; said “the awareness of autism and its symptoms has led to several parents now taking their children in to be diagnosed.
With this influx, special needs schools, she said, are being placed in a position where they have to stretch their meager budget to accommodate parents who cannot afford the high school feels needed to educate children with autism.
"The awareness has definitely increased, the identification has definitely increased and I am pleased with that development. But we need much more Government intervention at this level, because identifying a whole bunch of people who are affected by a situation and not having anywhere for them to go is a waste of time.”
The “All White Party” will be held on Sunday May 27, 2012. All are invited to come to Mr. Annakie’s Cottage in Greenwich Connecticut, with the simple instructions of “bring your check books”.
David “Squeeze” Annakie over the years that he has been hosting this annual events has donated millions of dollars to the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.
Mr. Annakie said “Many people are not aware that there is no medical detection or cure for autism, and it affects 1 in 88 children. Once I learned the statistics surrounding autism, I immediately wanted to bring awareness, so autism can be understood and not feared”
He also urged persons to come out and party while contributing to a worthwhile cause.
Mr. Annakie is the CEO and founder of the Linkup Media Inc. group of companies. The Linkup Media group of Companies comprises; Linkup Radio 93.5FM WVIP, JAMROCK Magazine, Saige Public Relations, Biolife Energy Systems Solutions Inc., Value Health Network, USA Credit Repair, and USA Immigration Group.
