Bimini Bound: Books and more for Island
Bound is also sending toothpaste and toothbrushes as part of its Fall 2010 drive for the island. In addition, new pill bottles are being collected. Why?
Dental Care
Each month on Bimini a dental clinic is held. Visiting dentists perform basic care and routine services. More complex dental procedures must be conducted elsewhere, usually in Nassau. While Bahamians have good basic government-funded care, residents must leave the island for advanced care elsewhere. Travel from the island is expensive. And, monthly access to dental care on the island can mean that much time passes from the onset of a problem to the arrival of professional help.
Good oral health is not only good for the teeth and gums. Taking care of teeth can also mean helping to improve overall health as well. Experts say that "Poor oral health can affect more than just your mouth; it can affect other areas of your body as well. In fact there is now research that shows the connection between poor oral health and systemic disease such as diabetes in people of all ages and respiratory diseases particularly among elderly people. Also there is new research now pointing to possible connections between oral health and other systemic conditions such as heart disease and premature, low birth weight babies." (ref. Health Canada. Visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/oral-bucco/index-eng.php for more information).
Bimini Bound is assisting the dental clinic by providing toothbrushes and toothpaste for the monthly clinic, thereby helping Biminites to maintain good health.
Pill bottles
Bimini's medical clinic dispenses needed medications to island residents. Basic medical care includes provision of pharmaceuticals. Typically, the pills are provided in envelopes or in loose form. Pill bottles from Bimini Bound will help keep medicines clean and protect them from humidity. The child proof caps, provide one of the best benefits, helping to keep young children out of harm's way.
Florida Teacher Leading Effort
Bimini Bound is working in the fall of 2010 with Rani Spillers, a Grade 3 teacher at Croton Elementary School in Melbourne, Florida with the Brevard Public School system in Viera Florida. Like so many people who have visited Bimini, she became enchanted with its beauty and the people. She and her husband, Steve Urbanski, spent their honeymoon on Bimini in May 2010. The wonderful experience made them want to give back, by getting involved in Bimini Bound.
Rani is leading efforts to not only collect books for the island schools, but also to help the island medical and dental clinic. In addition to books, Rani, her teaching colleagues and students are collecting new pill bottles, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
For more information about this current drive, contact questions@biminibound.ca