U.S. Ambassador, Nicole Avant, to Raise Autism Awareness in The Bahamas

By US Embassy

 Nassau, Bahamas - Actress, bestselling author, and international autism activist Holly Robinson-Peete, and her husband former NFL quarterback, Rodney Peete, will be the special guests of United States Ambassador Nicole Avant at a reception on Monday August 16 to raise awareness about Autism. U.S. Embassy Nassau will partner with REACH (Resources and Education for Autism and Related Challenges), a Bahamian support group for families with Autistic children, to bring together Bahamian families with Autistic children and leading Bahamian autism experts and specialists to create an atmosphere for interaction, discussion, and exchange of ideas with the Robinson-Peete family. Guests will receive a signed copy of Mrs. Robinson-Peete’s book, My Brother Charlie, which she co-authored with her daughter Ryan. The book is an uplifting story based on the Robinson-Peete’s personal experiences raising their autistic son JR.




“It is important to raise awareness about autism in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean,” said U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant. “Bahamian families must be reassured that they are not alone, but that they are among thousands of families in the United States and throughout the world dealing with a loved one who has autism,” she said. Ambassador Avant believes increased scientific research will help families and communities to better understand and appreciate persons affected by autism.

On Sunday, August 15, Mrs. Robinson-Peete will be the special guest on Sunday Conversations, hosted by Patty Roker on Island FM 102.9 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Robinson-Peete will discuss her personal experiences with autism and the impact of JR’s diagnosis on the entire family. She will also share her message of hope for other families confronting the challenge of raising an Autistic child.



Background:

The U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) defines autism as a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life and affects the brain's development of social and communication skills. The exact number of children with autism and the primary causes of the disorder remain unknown. A report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that autism and related disorders are more common than previously thought. It is unclear whether this is due to an increasing rate of the disorder or an increased ability to diagnose the illness. Autism affects boys 3 - 4 times more often than girls. Autism can affect any family regardless of the family’s income, education, race, ethnicity or lifestyle.

Mrs. Robinson-Peete and her husband Rodney Peete are the parents of four children: fraternal twins, son Rodney, “JR” and daughter Ryan, both age 12; son Robinson, age 7; and son Roman, age 5. JR was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Mrs. Robinson-Peete and Rodney Peete founded the HollyRod Foundation in 1996 to give a voice and a hand to those striving for improved quality of life when theirs has been diminished due to disease or disorders. Through watching Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, struggle with Parkinson’s disease the Robinson-Peetes were moved to form the foundation. After their son JR was diagnosed with autism, the foundation expanded its mission creating the hollyrod4kids initiative. HollyRod Foundation is currently developing plans to open their first "hollyrod4kids ‘Miracle House’" in Los Angeles where families in the autism community can go for support, guidance, treatment and hope.

American Ambassador advocates alternative energy

The second of a three-part series from an interview done by Acting Managing Editor Fred Sturrup with United States Ambassador to The Bahamas, Nicole Avant, appears today exclusively in The Freeport News. In granting her first official interview since being ap-pointed, Ambassador Avant touched on a number of issues relevant to The Baha-mas at this time and she expressed her country's strong interest in the revival of Grand Bahama. Accordingly, The Freeport News brings to its readers a rather refreshing perspective of the top-ranked Ameican diplomat in the country.

By FRED STURRUP

FN Acting Managing Editor

The chief representative in The Bahamas for the United States of America is of the view that this country is an excellent testing bed for an alternative energy initiative.

U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas, Nicole Avant, expressed as much in a recent exclusive interview.

The man who appointed her, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, had as a major plank in his campaign appeal to American voters, a "new energy future."

In Grand Bahama today, for residents who have been suffering through recent electrical outage problems daily, alternative energy sources would be a welcome option.

The Freeport News has been swamped with telephone calls. They have come from private homeowners and business persons who have bitterly decried the constant power failure. Business owners have informed the Freeport News of having to close operations because of the power problem.

Thus, it is very likely that in this island from this point onward, alternative energy will be in the minds of residents.

According to Ambassador Avant, alternative energy is important to President Obama.

That certainly is the case.

He has made no secret of his desire to chart a new course in his country for alternative energy.

The President has called upon all within the sound of his voice to make a push for alternative options to the common methods used for energy. Firstly, for most consumers, electricity (energy sourced by fuel, coal or natural gas) is becoming unbearably expensive. Se-condly the energy used mostly, creates pollution, a global climate hazzard. President Obabm has said:

"We will invest in energy efficiency and conservation, two sure-fire ways to decrease deadly pollution and drive down the demand. And, we will hold special interests accountable as we finally work to address climate change and its potentially catastrophic effects."

Of course, the world is invited to follow the President's lead.

Ambassador Avant speaks of the ocean and wind in The Bahamas, core ingredients for energy. Certainly, the country is ideal. There are many waterways throughout the islands of The Bahamas that are perfect for energy sources with the appropriate technology applied. Energy can be generated from the tides and the waves. Dams can be constructed for the purpose of hydroelectricity. This method, according to experts, eliminates gas emmissions and as such causes little or no pollution.

For The Bahamas the alternative energy options might be quite expensive. The American Government would be prepared to assist in the way of technical support.

Around the world, more and more, nations are subscribing to alternative energy sources.

Information out of India has that country "looking towards Germany for technological assistance and knowledge transfer in the field of renewable energy, especially for rural electrification and grid integration."

Indeed, according to One India news service, " German companies, which have the largest solar market worldwide, are keen to enter India with their Solar thermal and concentrated solar power products as well as to facilitate the transfer of technology through workshops and training under India's National Solar Mission."

The Government of The Bahamas might be moving in the direction of a Solar Mission Committee, in the near future. In a recent address, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham indicated an interest in alternative energy.

It is clear from Ambassador Avant that if our government pursues that course, her government would willingly assist.

Meanwhile here on the island, even when the situation is normalized by the Grand Bahama Power Company, consumers can expect higher bills. GBPC president Allan Kelly has informed that " the fuel surchage portion of bills for May will be high." He attributes the development to operating challenges experienced by the company.

Ambassador Avant lists GB as priority

By Fred Sturrup , Freeport News

 Ambassador Nicole Avant in a recent exclusive interview said "it is important for Grand Bahama to be successful." The interview took place in Nassau shortly after a visit to Grand Bahama by an Embassy team asigned by the ambassador to interact with business leaders and other affluent and knowledgeable residents.

"Grand Bahama is the country's second largest city. It's an industrial centre. I've been there just one time but I do need to spend more time there. It's the first of the other islands in The Bahamas that I travelled to since my ap-pointment and I just had the best time in Grand Bahama," said Ambassador Avant.

She sees the proximity to the United States, some 60 miles from the Florida coast as a key aspect and spoke enthusiastically about the prospect for investment and general success. The ambassador also noted the option for expanding further south for inroads into the U.S. market.

"I believe the southern states are a good market for Grand Bahama, places like North Carolina and South Carolina," said Ambassador Avant.

There definitely is a U.S. focus on Grand Bahama.

The ambassador said her team (Economic Officer Brooke Moppert and Public Diplomacy Chief Jefferson Dubel) came to Grand Baha-ma "to talk, to hunt, to make discoveries" and the process will continue because of the interest in getting to know the GB scenario. According to Ambassador Avant, the trip was very fruitful. She is of the view that with the team 'being on the ground' interacting with residents, such efforts are productive and enable the agents to advance appropriate ideas as a result.

There is conviction within the embassy that Grand Bahama is blessed with a lot of potential, socially and economically. The ambassador says the Embassy is prepared to support the island.

That pledge of course extends to the entire country. Ambassador Avant said as much when she spoke at Government House following the presentations of her credentials in October of 2009.

"During my tenure as ambassador, I will work closely with the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. In these challenging economic times, I believe that one of the most effective ways to ensure security and stability for our people is to partner on programs that promote economic prosperity, development and opportunity.

"Our economic partnerships are of course, rooted in the extensive tourism and business travel that occurs each year between The Bahamas and the United States." said the ambassador.

(Ambassador Avant was appointed to the the post in The Bahamas on June 16 of 2009 and confirmed on September 9 of that year. Her background includes being a political activitist, an actress and a music executive. She is an ardent Democrat and was one of the contributors in the network that carried Barack Obama to the White House. Other leading politicians she has worked with include former Vice President Al Gore, Senator John Kerry and fomer congressman Harold Ford Jr. The series continues on Monday.