Medical Team Responds To Complaint From Autistic Child’s Parent

Joachim Duplessis is speaking out against a troubling experience that he says highlights the challenges faced by families with autistic children in the healthcare system. Duplessis told St. Lucia Times that his daughter, Bella, recently encountered significant barriers while trying to secure a health card required by the Ministry of Equity. As a result, he wants no other parent to endure a similar ordeal. The situation began when Duplessis and Bella arrived at the La Clery clinic, the nearest facility to their home. “We knew it would be noisy and overwhelming for Bella, but we hoped for the best,” Duplessis explained to st. Lucia Times. However, upon arrival, he said they found the clinic packed and chaotic, making it clear that this was not a suitable environment for his daughter. “Given her autism, we decided to wait until Sunday and drive up to Gros Islet health center, where we thought it would be quieter and more peaceful.” Duplessis recalled that when they arrived at the Gros Islet clinic, the situation seemed promising with a calm environment. He recounted that a compassionate nurse quickly attended to them, taking Bella’s vitals and assuring them that the doctor would be able to help....