In Rosario there is an innovative way of approaching disability that includes families and different interdisciplinary therapies developed by professionals. Girls, boys and young people with disabilities found in the ‘I Also Play’ project a tool to improve their quality of life thanks to sport, over and above any previous diagnosis. This Friday the municipal initiative celebrated its tenth anniversary at the Parque Independencia Fairground (formerly Rural), renovated after the III South American Youth Jurgos.
During the day, close to 1,000 people with disabilities who are or were part of ‘I Play Also’, along with 25 institutions, teachers and family members, enjoyed recreational activities, games, sports and a closing with pure music and dance by the hand of ‘Jarana Parana’. There was also a proposal for body games from the Municipal School of Urban Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Education, the Youth Entertainers and Social Judo projects, with a space for experiences, and ISEF No. 11.
“We propose to play, jump, run, swim, laugh, without differentiated spaces, according to the problems and abilities of each one. That is what true integration is about,” said the Secretary of Sports and Tourism of the Municipality of Rosario, Adrián Ghiglione, who added that “the strategies are agreed upon with previous interviews with the families.”
On the importance and impact that this public policy generates in people with disabilities, the Undersecretary of Sports, Noel Martino, indicated: “Now that summer is coming, they will also be able to enjoy the colonies and pools. It is about not being locked up in the house, that they can achieve autonomy and interact with others, among other small achievements.”
The activity was also attended by the director of Community Sports Carla Fiorentini, and the deputy director Marcelo Marcelo Dell Elce; the coordinator of the project, Marcelo Arimany and the municipal director of Disability, Adriana Ciarlantini.
Synonym of resilience
The most emotional moment of the day was the recognition of Professor Yamila Jure, who received a present in tears to the applause of all those present. The young woman has hemiparesis and went from being a student to an instructor of the recreational inclusion project of the ‘Yo Also Game’ program at the 9 de Julio Sports Center. “I have a birth disability as a result of a lack of oxygen that my mother had. As a consequence of that I have a motor disability that compromises my entire left side. But beyond that, progress can still be made,” she described.
“It all started because I needed a place to swim. I came in search of a recreational space and so I began, I would say by chance, to get more and more involved with this, ”she remarked. And he recounted: “One day I was invited to collaborate on this project and that’s how I started. To this day I am part of a great team. I have colleagues who are really excellent and make me feel very comfortable. They help me a lot, to which I add that this is my most social part”.
transform realities
“’I Play Too’ provides support and another way of bonding with others to the person with a disability, but also to the family. His pathology has no cure but here we find warmth and capacity so that progress can be seen”. The one who speaks is Alberto Ayala and it is another of the testimonies that supports the impact of the project. His son is 35 years old, has suffered from a maturational delay since he was 8 and has been participating in the city’s public sports proposals since the age of 5.
“We have already lost count of the years; in summer we go to the Saladillo neighborhood. We are very satisfied with the treatment received and we will support this project until the body gives us. If you are looking there is always a way out, as parents we look for alternatives and in the I Play Also we find it”, commented the man. And he closed: “This is for the boys but also for the family environment, we get together, collaborate, share information, that’s the best we can do for each other.”
