When the 6th graders arrived, the users were already in the pavilion: a circle was formed and the presentations began. To the question "what do you know about Cerebral Palsy", they knew some causes and linked it mainly to immobility!
The sports technicians have re-situated the information, and we have started the activity with a game of acquaintance, in order to break the ice. The game was "HELLO!". During the practice of this game, the approaches between students and users were encouraged, so, for the next activity they were already more mixed. The game "THE SPORTS LADDER" has been presented and the challenge of "sports riddles about adapted sport" has been played. As they answered the questions well, the participants were able to shoot again and did the cooperative challenge of the "SHREDDER". This consists of passing under a rotating rope, without it touching us. Companions passed by, two by two, three by three... By the very last lap of the challenge, the groups were already perfectly consolidated, and each user was very well accompanied.
Before the shift change and breakfast, we held an assembly where everyone expressed that the activity was similar to them, and asked questions to the users: Has Ricardo, from Poblenou, been asked why he leans forward to push the chair? He was able to show off explaining that this position benefited him to have more speed. Guillem, from the Day Centre, asked them if they thought they would be more unemployed, and the students answered that they thought they would not be able to interact with them, and that, indeed, they would be static activities.
After breakfast, adapted sports and bocce were discussed and the Saharan game of TALBIA was adapted with bocce balls. Everyone threw and helped each other, with and without gutters, to get as many balls as possible inside circles placed in a line. Two teams were facing each other, separated about 4m from the line where the circles were located. In 2 minutes they had to score as many points as possible, between both groups. Each team could use different strategies to do this.
At the final assembly, sitting in a circle, questions of a more personal nature were raised, such as, for example, if they live here, if they have parties, what they do during the day...
Then the students wrote their personal evaluations on post-it notes, which we left hanging on the walls of the hall: "I really liked being here because it opened my mind to meet new friends"... "I had a lot of fun"..." Me ha gustado mucho jugar, hacer actividades y bailar. Antes me daba mucha vergüenza. They make me want to stay here. Very cool."
CDO users have made Sant Jordi bookmarks in the weekly art workshops: each bookmark was different, and when they were put together they formed a picture, like a puzzle. The Viladecans Mediterranean School has brought us massage vibrators that we will use in the next relaxation sessions! Thank you very much!
Once we meet the other person, we notice that these activities help to modify the previous ideas that exist about the capabilities of people with cerebral palsy and that, thanks to the fact of knowing the other person, we get closer to them physically and emotionally.
See you next time.
You can find more images in the following link: https://www.flickr.com/gp/aspacebcn/4471w7
