A group of boys and girls from CTO Badalona, who currently participate in the activity "Autonomy in the community – AVD Instrumentals” within the rehabilitation program of Occupational Therapy, have traveled to the Escola Municipal de Bosc de Montjuïc to reflect together with the boys and girls of the 4th year of Primary School on what disability is and what is the day-to-day experience of people with sensory disabilities, physical and/or cognitive.
The aim of the meeting was, on the one hand, for users to be able to organise, plan and lead autonomously a theoretical-practical explanatory session on the reality of people with disabilities, adapting his speech to the level of understanding and experience of 10-year-old children, most of whom have never had close contact with people with functional diversity. And, on the other hand, bring the children themselves closer to the reality of the users of the CTO Badalona giving them the opportunity to understand, break taboos, fears and doubts that sometimes not even adults can clarify them due to lack of experience or information.
These reflections were focused through a very encouraging group dynamic and a short presentation by the users from a meeting point of view talking about capabilities and not shortcomings, converging common points between the two col · groups such as sport, hobbies, the pleasure of exotic food or the desire they all had to go on holiday. However, some more basic aspects were also exposed such as some basic daily life activities for which they need help from third parties, such as tying their shoes or brushing their teeth in the morning, this fact countered and gave a more insight open from day to day for some of the boys and girls in the group.
The activity was very well received by all the students and they stated that they were left with many questions to ask and were grateful for the effort and experience. They asked us very interesting questions, without fear, without prejudice, out of curiosity and the most absolute respect. Likewise, the boys and girls of the CTO were very satisfied with the work done and happy with the great reception from the children and the school.
Activities like these, which also emphasize the capabilities of the people we serve and claim a more accessible and conscientious physical and human environment, are small gestures that can have a very positive impact on our society, giving voice to large and little ones
