CrimeaPRESS reports:
The Day of Equal Opportunities, traditional for Artek, brought together children from different regions of Russia and other countries at the Sports Palace. Artek students got acquainted with three Paralympic disciplines – wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball and football for the blind. Volunteers and young athletes with disabilities who are already making progress in these sports have become the guides for the children in a new world for them.
For the first time, the Day of Equal Opportunities was held in Artek in 2016 and since then has become one of the best traditions of the children’s center. The key idea of this day is the removal of social barriers and the provision of equal opportunities for Artek residents, regardless of their physical abilities.
Director of Artek Konstantin Fedorenko noted that in Arteke from year to year conducts programs that are focused on children with disabilities:
Despite the fact that there are no absolutely identical people, everyone should have the same opportunities and rights. And today, all Artek residents have the opportunity to understand such a person, to try to feel how his life is limited by circumstances, to feel the degree of the highest fortitude of these courageous people. It is important to work on yourself, then dreams will come true.
One of the important tools for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities is sports. For some, this is a way to expand their functionality, improve health, and for someone — a chance to master high sportsmanship and even join the ranks of the country’s Paralympic team! Young athletes, participants of the profile program «Tennis in Artek» strive for such heights, which is implemented jointly with the Russian Tennis Federation. The combined teams of five children’s camps were able to try their hand at Paralympic sports: «Sea», «River», «Azure», «Lake» and «Amber».
Member of the Board of the Russian Tennis Federation, Director of the Tennis PARK Network of Children and Youth Sports Tennis Schools,Head of the Tennis in Artek program Galina Kaplan admonished Artek residents:
In fact, there are more people who have any restrictions than it seems. We hold Equal Opportunities Day to show that nothing is impossible. Today’s story is not about the fact that we should notice people with special abilities, this day is for you. When you have the physical opportunity to feel what it is like not to walk or not to see, you will begin to relate to them in a completely different way and help more. I urge you not to be afraid to sit in a wheelchair and not afraid of blindfolds, believe in your abilities.
Young athletes in wheelchairs and Artek tennis team supported those who were not afraid to give up their usual opportunities for a few minutes, and shared their experience. For example, not all the guys managed to cope with the wheels and the racket at the same time.
I have just tried my hand at wheelchair tennis, the movement is very difficult. Each move takes a lot of effort. I am proud of the children with disabilities who overcame their fears and became champions in any sport. It seems to me that Equal Opportunities Day shows what path they have traveled, what kind of work it is to achieve success in sports— notes Vadim Smirnov, Kubinka.
Wheelchair tennis player Anna Orlova from the Perm Territory became another example of strength and courage for the participants of the event:
I love coaching guys. Besides the fact that I teach them to master new opportunities, I also train myself. In the future I want to become a coach, and this day means a lot to me. I believe that such events are needed in order for people to understand how difficult such sports are for people with disabilities.
The guys noted that «Day of Equal Opportunities» became important for each of them:
Today we were able to see and feel how people with disabilities try to do their best and even win the Paralympic Games. I managed to try my hand at sitting volleyball and wheelchair tennis. I am proud of these people and have great respect for them., — said Sofya Larionova, Rostov-on-Don.
The director of Artek also tested himself in three Paralympic disciplines.
The unusual lesson made it possible to try yourself in a new sport, and also take a different look at the lives of people with disabilities and once again make sure that these are interesting, strong-willed, purposeful individuals.— emphasizes Konstantin Fedorenko.
At the end of the holiday, each participant could say that the impossible is not a fact, it is only an opinion. The impossible is a challenge. The impossible is a chance to prove yourself. Impossible — Maybe!
source: press service of ICC «Artek»
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