Children with disabilities celebrated the Day of their own protection. Protection from indifference, inaction of the state and sad monotonous routine.
These photos, which "no one has been and never will be ready for", are about joyful and at the same time sad holiday.
The Medical and social rehabilitation center "Way of Life", which operates in Uzhgorod, does not need introduction. At least for those who have a heart open to help and compassion.
This institution, which operates on the basis of education complex "Yalynka", takes cares of several dozen kids of different ages. Because there is no one else to take care about them. Children, of course, have parents: brave, strong, loving and compassionate. Willing to work to exhaustion to provide treatment, rehabilitation and basic needs for their children, each one with their own trouble. From the disorders of the musculoskeletal system to mental disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, complex lesions, and other disabilities which requires special and careful approach to each child.
However, this topic is worthy of a separate article. This one is about the holiday. The Holiday of the Protection of Children, which was the occasion for pupils of the "Way of Life" to celebrate it with walks, march, rides and sweet refreshments in the shade of the Bozdosh Park.
According to the practical psychologist of the "Way of Life" Yulia Fabian, the pupils of the institution started the Day of the Protection of Children with a traditional march from Petofi Square via the Pedestrian bridge and to the Medical Faculty of Uzhgorod National University, accompanied by the police brass band. Kids – some on foot, and some in wheelchairs – walked and rode the distance with smiles, balloons with painted cheerful faces and banners reading "We are among you," "Take us as we are!"
The transportation of three dozen children with parents was arranged by the Rotary Club. Rides and sweet table were provided by the NGO "Self-help of Transcarpathia." In particular, the rides were provided by Oleksandr Chernyak and the director of the Bozdosh Park Lev Nekrechiy. Sweet table with fruits, sweets and juice for the children and their parents was provided by Yevhen Prozor and Roman Saray.
After talking with the organizers of the celebration, and I had a chance to talk with the parents. And to take pictures of the celebration, kids themselves. This, I must admit, was the hardest.
Of course, kids sincerely rejoiced riding the rides, carousel, cars. But you should have seen the eyes of their parents who lifted children from wheelchairs and put them back with habitual precise movements. You should have seen their eyes…
This writer was not ready for all that. And, not holding back tears, I approached psychologist Mrs. Yulia with abject confession: "Mrs. Yulia, I was not ready…" and heard a true and fair "But no one is ready for this. Never has been and never will be. Never. And not only to experience, but also to see. But we live!" – Mrs. Yulia smiled.
Now see the photos. If you are ready.
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