On International Disability Day, Fekoor, which is holding an online event at midday, is calling for more aid to bring the situation of its partners into line with that of the general public
On the doorstep of many schools in Bizkaia this morning the already classic 'Ahoa bizi, Belarriak prest!' by Pirritx, Porrotx eta Marimotots was played to celebrate Basque Language Day. With this soundtrack, dozens of children in wheelchairs also entered the centres. They do so every day, but today this action, that of leading as normal a life as possible, is a reason for making demands. Because, apart from the fact that it is the day in favour of the Basque language, 3 December is the International Day of the Disabled. The pandemic will prevent the Fekoor platform from holding its traditional claiming event in El Arenal, which will be moved - from midday onwards - to its YouTube channel. Not being able to be on the streets, however, will not limit its message: "If I can choose, I will move the world".
This "adaptation of a phrase from the philosopher Archimedes", explained Juan Carlos Sola, director of the group that brings together people with functional diversity and their families in Bizkaia, is the motto for a year in which they want to transmit "the aspiration of the Biscayan disabled" to develop their own "life model" on "equal terms with others" and that each person can "choose where, how and with whom to live". In this sense, he stressed that it is necessary, in order to create a "fairer, more accessible, inclusive and supportive" society, that those who have a mobility problem can continue to live at home, "without being forced to live in a welfare and residential system".
To remain in their environment, he stressed, "the institutions must provide us with sufficient resources and support to enable us to have personal assistance", as well as facilitating access to "technical aids that guarantee our autonomy". Because, without "accessible housing, inclusive education, leisure without discrimination ...", they will not have the opportunity to decide how to live.
Denon Athletic Club Award
Premio a la Peña Denon Athletic
In this sense, Mari Jose Peña, member of Fekoor, regrets that the technical aids "are not enough, and that is why people have to go to residences, to relatives' houses... She makes the denunciation in a conversation with the monologue Gemma Martínez, one of the three dialogues - the other two are led by the journalist Reyes Prados and Mariano Díaz; and the actress Ylenia Baglietto and Lexuri Badiola - spread by the federation to make visible the reality of people with disabilities.
Regarding the event that begins at midday, in addition to the messages of support from people from the world of culture such as clown Virginia Imaz, actor Lander Otaola, radio journalist Miriam Duque and influencer Carmen Esperanza, those who connect will be able to see the presentation of the Independent Living Award that the organization grants every year.
On this occasion, the award goes to the Peña Denon Athletic, "an inclusive club, made up of people with disabilities, and which is the first of its kind in the whole of Spain", Sola explained. The tribute to Begoña Sánchez, one of the founders of Fekoor and who died in August, will also be broadcast; one of those people who, like her colleagues, was convinced that "if they provide us with sufficient support, we will move the world".
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