The Tribune

By JEFAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS at the Centre for the Deaf received an annual gift of Christmas cheer from Better Homes and Gardens Mario Carey Realty (MCR) Bahamas.

The students were treated to a party that that included Santa, rides on an eco-glide scooter and gifts.

For the past 26 years, Mario Carey, president and CEO of MCR, and friends delivered holiday happiness to students at the Centre for the Deaf with a party.

This year’s event took a special turn when students surprised Mr Carey and friends with their present to them, a song called The Sign of Love, thanking them for all they have done and wishing Cole Carey, who played Santa Claus, a happy birthday, all performed in sign language.

Michaela Smith, principal at the Centre for the Deaf said staff look forward to the annual party and that Mr Carey mantains a consistent relationship with the students at the school.

She said: “He makes it a point to get to know each child. He remembers their names, speaks to them and checks on them ever year. It’s a blessing and Mr Carey and his team are wonderful. Our staff look forward to this event every year.”

Mr Carey, who has learned to compensate for his hearing impediment said that more attention needs to be focused on the hearing challenged especially with one in ten residents of The Bahamas projected to suffer a disabling hearing loss by the year 2050.

He said: “Many of the lives of these students and others can be improved with as little as a new or better set of hearing aids

“We are a wealthy nation, we should not allow a simple solution like hearing aids to stand in the way of the life of someone who wants to be a productive and engaged contributor to society and lead a full, rich life.”