Children in Motion: Together is Better

Dear all!

We already sent our report by web page, but unfortunately, it didn't publish.

Please find the article attached.

Many thanks,

Olga Kotova 

Sports program manager

NGO Perspektiva

Sledge Hockey:  A First Glide to New Heights for Artyem

Artyem is a middle school student at a special education school and residential institution in Moscow.  He uses a wheelchair and like many children with disabilities in Russia, especially those who use wheelchairs, Artyem has had limited or no opportunities to play sports.  Furthermore, in his school there is only a very small gym.   

But all of this changed one day when Artyem participated in the Para-Sports Day, organized by Perspektiva’s Sports Department, for kids with and without disabilities in October, 2016.  All of the kids had the opportunity to play sledge hockey (SH).  Sledge or Para ice hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey.  Para ice hockey was invented in the early 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden, at a rehabilitation centre. It is currently one of the most popular sports in the Winter Paralympic Games.

The lessons took place at an ice skating rink and were led by professional sledge hockey players (two members of Perspektiva’ssports team), and one sledge hockey trainer from the only Moscow children’s SH team. They used special ice sledges, hockey sticks and other protective hockey gear so that all children could participate, have fun and stay safe. 

The lesson began with a presentation and demonstration by the SH players about how to play sledge hockey.   Then, each of the kids, who were already dressed in their hockey gear, were assisted to get onto the sledge and were taught how to hold and use the hockey sticks.  Artyem, together with the other children, began gliding along the ice.  It was clear to all that Artyem

Roman was born in a distant village in the Komi Republic. Thigh bone destruction led to a disability when he was four years old. For two years, he used a wheelchair. After Roman was expelled from the kindergarten, where he was always at the center of attention, he withdrew into his own world.  Roman stayed at home and refused to meet with his peers. He was afraid that kids would make fun of him.  His mother became his only friend.

Then Roman began to participate in Perspektiva’s inclusive sports program “Children in Motion: Together is Better” where he learned to interact with his peers and adults. At first, Svetlana Lapteva, his coach and teacher, had difficulty understanding his emotions as Roman was unable to express his happiness or tell about his victories. Roman took part in Svetlana’s classes, learned to play sitting pioneer ball and bocce, and soon was able to run around on his crutches without any assistance from other children.  Other older children, however, became mentors for him as they provided him support when needed during the gym classes. They helped Roman play sports safely while having fun.   

Now Svetlana Lapteva can’t imagine Roman not moving. “He is an extremely active boy. He is constantly moving! Roman is now open and receptive to new people and experiences.  His non-disabled peers are growing up faster than ever before as they have accepted responsibility for Roman. I see that they like this role. I have also realized that children with and without disabilities are able to communicate better than adults as they don’t have any emotional and physical barriers.  No man is an island – when playing sports children learn to interact and understand each other better – by passing the ball, the players communicate with each other, and together truly is better”.