Negril clinic opens new chapter in paediatric care
...Gives Jamaican children a chance to walk freely
Published:Saturday | June 7, 2025 | 9:23 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Elaine Allen-Bradley remembers the moment like it was yesterday when a young boy named Wyatt Montaque, once unable to walk, ran into her arms with joy. That moment, she said, gave her the strength to keep going.
On Tuesday, she celebrated a milestone long in the making: the official opening of the Elaine Allen-Bradley Paediatric Orthotic Foundation, a specialised clinic providing free orthotic and physiotherapy care to children with mobility challenges from across Jamaica.
“This is not just a clinic. This is a community,” said Allen-Bradley. “We see you, we hear you, and we are here for you.”
The clinic, operating on the grounds of the Negril Health Centre, offers essential support to children living with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, and other physical disabilities. In partnership with overseas orthotists, therapists, corporate sponsors like RIU Hotels, and local volunteers, the clinic has already transformed the lives of hundreds.
One such life is that of Wyatt, who first came to the clinic in 2019 at age three. Born with congenital multiplex arthrogryposis, doctors once told his mother he may never walk. But after receiving his first pair of braces from Allen-Bradley’s team, Wyatt took his first steps and never looked back. Now eight years old and having undergone six surgeries, he still runs into the clinic with a smile.
“All they have to pay is their fare to get here,” said Allen-Bradley. “If they can’t, I’ll tell them to borrow it. I’ll reimburse them when they come. That’s how committed we are.”
Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton praised Allen-Bradley’s unwavering service and volunteerism.
HUNDREDS OF BENEFICIARIES
“Over 400 children have benefited so far, and some 300 are currently being served,” he said. “This is the standard by which Jamaica and the Caribbean should measure community healthcare.”
He called the clinic an “excellent complement” to the government-operated Negril Health Centre, adding, “Good health and wellness start with caring for humanity and this facility epitomises that.”
The facility, recently refurbished with support from RIU Hotels Jamaica, now includes a newly added physiotherapy unit, an especially timely service in a parish heavily affected by motor vehicle and motorbike injuries.
Crisina Campbell, RIU’s corporate social responsibility officer, spoke with heartfelt conviction about the company’s role in the journey.
“At RIU, our impact must go beyond hospitality, we are deeply invested in the communities we serve,” she said. “This foundation is a shining example of what happens when business and humanity align.”
She noted that RIU’s support for the clinic spans well over a decade, beginning with modest renovations and evolving into a long-term partnership that has included hurricane recovery, equipment provision, and the construction of a patient waiting area.
“We proudly wear the words ‘Proudly Committed’ on our pins, but it’s not just a slogan, it’s a mindset,” said Campbell. “Elaine Allen-Bradley’s passion became our purpose. And we are honoured to walk this path with her, knowing that children’s lives are forever changed.”
Dr Marcia Graham, medical officer of health for Westmoreland, confirmed the clinic’s islandwide reach and welcomed the physiotherapy addition.
“We embrace and applaud good partnerships,” she said. “And we’ve seen firsthand the impact this clinic has had, not just here in Negril, but across Jamaica.”
The foundation continues to rely on a network of international volunteers, community donations, and an ethos of service above self.
Allen-Bradley, a proud Rotarian and chamber leader, was quick to credit “every single person who has helped us buy lunch, diapers, or drive patients to and from the airport”.
As for Wyatt’s mother, Racquel Chambers, who travels from as far as Christiana in Manchester to the clinic, she summed it up, simply: “I really appreciate this clinic. It gave my child the chance to walk. And that’s something I never thought I’d see.”