Sports without barriers

With the outbreak of a full-scale war on the territory of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainians were forced to flee from Russian missiles and gunfire. The number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine has exceeded 8 million. As of October 2023, 117,272 IDPs were registered in Khmelnytskyi region: 31,945 in Kamianets-Podilskyi district, 62,521 in Khmelnytskyi district, and 22,806 in Shepetivka district. Of the people who have settled in Khmelnytskyi region, 72% are children, including 46% of children with disabilities. 

During a full-scale invasion, all spheres of life must adapt to new realities. But even in times of war, physical education, education and sports should not be put on hold. Special attention should be paid to the physical training of children, including children with disabilities. Sport helps them to overcome anxiety, tension and shift their focus. 

Children have the right to a happy and carefree childhood despite their circumstances. Our organization does its best to create favorable conditions for children with disabilities (especially autism) to attend judo classes. Therefore, we now need to expand our gym and purchase a judo mat so that more than 70 children can continue their favorite sport. 

Through sports, children become involved in physical activity, through systematic training their energy is released, and the level of stress and apathy decreases. Children and their parents make new friends. For parents, seeing their children smiling, active and doing useful things is an additional support. And for children, it is an opportunity to socialize, to be part of a normal, quiet life and, most importantly, to enjoy sports.