The Paralympic champion quotes Markus Rehm: «Amputee, he is the best jumper in the world. Before the illness I was in class with a classmate in a wheelchair and one with autism”
«We were the first country in the world to eliminate separate classes between those with a disability and those without, why go back? It seems senseless to me.” Bebe Vio Grandis is traveling home after two days of surprises and celebrations for mother Teresa’s birthday on the island of Elba, a favorite place for the whole family. For this reason, you paid little attention to the debate sparked by General Vannacci’s words, but you were struck by the proposal to have specific classes for disabled students, which happened before the Educational Inclusion Act of 1977. «It seems paradoxical to me that one could even think of such a thing. We started inclusion at school, now someone is proposing to divide us again and take steps backwards culturally too.”
Pancalli, president of the Paralympic Committee, said that they are “unacceptable proposals” and that “society is further ahead”, also thanks to sport.
«You’re right. There is no reason to do them. We athletes also helped change the perception.”
Not everything works perfectly, though. Perhaps this is what Vannacci was referring to.
«Reason to improve, not to get worse. We were also the first to include support teachers. They are also useful to those without disabilities.”
In what sense?
«I think of the many foreign minors. There were some in my classes too. Or that companion of mine who didn’t understand Italian, because at home he only spoke in Venetian dialect, and someone was placed alongside him. Shall we divide them too? It’s right that we get help.”
She experienced school in both conditions: before the illness, which led to the amputation of her limbs, and after.
«It was very important to have my teammates close by. There were some funny things too. When I was in the hospital I had the tests a little earlier than the others and I passed them. Now I can say it, the teachers won’t be angry. In high school we helped each other. This is also how solidarity is discovered and implemented.”
Was it useful for you after the illness?
«Being together with classmates who had some kind of disability since I was little helped me grow and this goes for them too. In particular, it helped me enter the world of disability much more easily, because I knew it.”
His is a physical disability. Does the same apply to those with intellectual and relational disabilities?
«It always applies. Before the illness I was in class with a classmate in a wheelchair and one with autism. We took turns helping him with his homework when necessary. And during the interval, wheelchair speed competitions were organized in the corridor. This too is inclusion. Here is the solidarity society.”
Ever thought about going into politics?
«Politics can be done with actions and thoughts, even outside the parties. However, in the past I have also won elections.”
When?
«I still had legs and arms. I was in the municipal children’s council in Mogliano Veneto. I invented “moral fines” for those who parked in disabled spaces. I think finding a note of reprimand left by a fourth grade girl made you think.”
Vannacci also said that he would never let a disabled person run the 100 meters together with the record holder.
«You don’t know Markus Rehm».
Tell him who he is.
«A German long jumper. He has a leg amputee and for years he has been the best in the world, not only among the Paralympians, but also among the Olympians. People with and without disabilities participate together in Wembrace Sport, the event organized by art4sport, my association.”
In short, we must not separate, but unite.
«Everyone has different peculiarities. It is not just a condition of disability, but everything that identifies us physically and culturally as people. It would be ridiculous to divide ourselves into categories since each one is different from the other.”
Does the discussion extend from school to society?
«A good society must be an inclusive society, not a dividing one. If we are together, we can each be useful and helpful to others.”
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April 29, 2024 (changed April 29, 2024 | 07:02)
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