‘Valerie a godsend for Bangladesh’

Valerie Ann Taylor, founder of Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), is an angel who has been serving the people of Bangladesh for the last 50 years, said Gowher Rizvi, prime minister’s international affairs adviser.

Terming the dedicated service of CRP staff as a “sacrifice”, he added that Valerie’s values will sustain as long as her institution remains active.

He was speaking as chief guest at the 40-year celebration of CRP at Savar.

“I have visited the [wards of] the hospital; there are many angels here who have been sacrificing their lives in service… Valerie has been serving us as an angel,” said Gowher Rizvi.

CRP organised the event as part of their two-day anniversary celebration.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine, and Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau KM Abdus Salam were present at the event.

In her inaugural speech, Valerie reminisced the journey of CRP which started in two store-rooms of Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital in 1979.

Vallerie had first visited Bangladesh in 1969 to serve in a health mission to Chattogram.

“I observed there was no necessary equipment to serve the patients… I returned to UK and applied for funding from about ten donor organisations. After ten years, I returned and initiated this organisation,” said Valerie, who is also a physiotherapist.

To date, the organisation has been providing an extensive range of services to persons with disabilities through 13 CRP sub-centres across Bangladesh.

She thanked all donors and the people of Bangladesh for their support.

At the event, several people with disabilities shared their memories of receiving treatment at CRP.

KM Abdus Salam said, “We should learn from Valerie… and serve humanity alongside our daily duties.”

Benoit Préfontaine said, “CRP is not only a well-known name in Bangladesh, but also around the world… I hope to stand with CRP in the future.”

Robert Chatterton Dickson said, “I deeply understand how any accident can cause loss to a family. CRP teaches these people and their families to be self-dependent.”

A total of nine physically challenged people received wheelchairs, sewing machines and artificial limbs as part of CRP’s rehabilitation programme.

Besides, children with disabilities handed over their paintings to the guests.

President of the Trust for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (TRP) Saidur Rahman presided over the programme.