850 disabled people at Father Ray Foundation receive vaccines

Covid-19 vaccines were administered to 850 disabled people and staff members of a popular, long-running charity foundation in Pattaya. Members of the Father Ray Foundation were able to receive the jabs in-house at the Redemptorist Technological College for People with Disabilities the charity has run since 1984.

The foundation expressed overwhelming thanks to the medical workers from the Banglamung Hospital for coming to them, pointing out how challenging it is for the disabled people residing there to travel outside the grounds to receive their vaccines. Travelling to local hospitals or vaccine centres in places like sports arenas can be very challenging for disabled people with mobility issues.

The president of the Father Ray Foundation said the vaccinations had been postponed several times earlier, so they were very pleased that their request was granted this week.

Thailand, with its limited vaccine supply and slow rollout, has prioritised elderly and at-risk people for receiving vaccinations. The 850 disabled people at the Father Ray Foundation are among those that are extremely vulnerable, where serious complications from Covid-19 infections are far more likely.

No side effects or negative reactions were reported from the 850 recipients of the vaccines, with the president of the foundation reporting that everyone was feeling just fine afterwards.

The Father Ray Foundation was started in Pattaya by Father Ray Brennan in 1974 when he adopted an unwanted baby and the motto “we never turn a needy child away” and expanded to a full orphanage soon thereafter. Over the years, the foundation added a preschool for the deaf, a school for the blind, a vocational school for the disabled, and a home for street kids.

After his death in 2003, supporters, volunteers and donors kept the foundation growing, adding toddler daycare for poor families, facilities for special needs children, a drop-in centre for street kids, and a children’s village. The foundation provides housing, food and education to needy children every day.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News