Children in Motion: Together is Better

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”.