Fedir and Kseniia’s Stories
What made you join the project?
My name is Anna, I am a mother of 4 children. My youngest son is Fedir and he has Down syndrome. Fedir has always loved playing with the ball, so when I heard about this project, I immediately applied. I was especially interested in the idea of inclusive sports, where ordinary children play alongside children with special needs. Fedya was quite well developed in the social aspect, but he lacked an understanding of team concepts, a sense of team play, knowledge of the rules of the game and their observance.
Certainly, after a year of regular training, my son showed great changes in physical terms, namely: he became more enduring, coordinated, understood the relay, learned to dribble, and successfully played in the team at training and competitions.
He was comfortable and happy because there was communication.
Most importantly, Fedya attended classes with his younger sister and never felt out of place in this section. It was a territory of friendship, diversity of personalities, courage and sports challenges. My children have always enjoyed attending football training. I would like to note that the training sessions and competitions were held on the territory of the NSC Olimpiyskiy, which in itself was a great motivation.
"Everything will work out. Just a little more and you can do it!"
All the training sessions were always interesting, energetic, with appropriate sports equipment and with the heart and soul of each child. The most valuable thing was the coaches' faith in our children, they always said: "Everything will work out. Just a little more and you can do it!". It motivated both the children and their parents. A significant event for our family and Fedya was the inclusive football competition. It was a real sports battle with teams, judges, fans, medals and cups. The children were very happy and remembered this event for the rest of their lives)) and I could not be happier that my special boy, who is very talented and persistent, has such important successes for him.
The inclusive football project was extremely useful, valuable and special.
I would also like to mention the team of coaches and volunteers who accompanied the children all the time. These are people with incredibly big hearts and high professionalism. They were able to find an approach to each of the children, despite the difficulties of the child's condition, diagnosis, or peculiarities of perception. It was a safe, tolerant, understanding and supportive space for everyone. I have visited many sports and developmental centers and events, and the inclusive football project was extremely useful, valuable and special.
Perhaps in the future, Fedya will be able to represent the country at international competitions.
This project had a great impact on Fedya's further interest in football. He always enjoys playing it. In the summer, I always have a small portable football gate and a ball in my car. Any lawn instantly turns into a football field.
Thanks to the Inclusive Football project, Fedya acquired the necessary skills and was able to easily join a similar inclusive project abroad, where the coaches praised his athletic abilities and skills. Perhaps in the future, Fedya will connect his life with professional sport and will be able to represent the country at international competitions. Undoubtedly, his love for sports and physical activity was also instilled in him by attending the football section. I wholeheartedly recommend this project to parents of children with special needs. If you are in doubt or afraid, just try it and you will not regret it.
Anna, Fediir and Kseniia’s mother