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SUMMER FOR EVERYONE? There are now a few weeks left until the end of the school year and like every year the kids are waiting for the start of the summer to enjoy pleasant and well-deserved days at the seaside and the excellent climate that our wonderful city offers… but we are sure that Does the right to have fun and experience the summer belong to all kids?
The question arises spontaneously when you are the parent of an autistic child and where the start of the summer season also marks the absolute lack of the few certainties and assistance figures guaranteed during the school months and which allow you as a parent and caregiver to breathe during the day… to face summer months of total absence of services.
By absence we mean the lack of recreational play centres, suitable spaces and suitable projects to encourage the inclusion and enjoyment of those with abilities different from those we are usually used to… and yet it makes me think of how many times the institutions have done their utmost with conferences and themed days..
the latest one took place less than a month ago on the occasion of April 2nd on the “International Autism Awareness Day” many filled their mouths with an immense and important word like
INCLUSION even turning on many blue lights as a sign of solidarity with the theme…but once the lights of the anniversaries have been turned off and the beautiful phrases and occasional speeches have been forgotten
what remains? if we are here at the gates of summer to denounce the TOTAL ABSENCE OF SUMMER CENTERS but above all suitable to accommodate serious disabilities where extra attention must be paid and in which no center, not even private, wants and knows how to accommodate.
Everyone would like to work on highly receptive children but how do you do it when you are faced with a great challenge such as a child who is not independent and has serious communication difficulties? Here we need to put aside all the good speeches made in the past and take action to ensure that our last city in the ranking for quality of life becomes the first for example of humanity and social values. I appeal as a parent and professional who experiences disability 24 hours a day to take action as soon as possible not only with sporadic initiatives and ephemeral days as an end in themselves but to accept the challenge posed by these kids and activate real summer camps with long-term projects to encourage and above all guarantee continuity of learning this category of young people and truly give a practical, not just figurative, meaning to this great word like inclusion. As a parent I put all my effort into it, now it’s up to you institutions. Let’s win the challenge together!!!!
Scaccianoce Elvira L. Genitore e attivista For social inclusion
