Disability Days: associations parade with the theme of the Olympic Games

Joy and good humor could be seen on the faces of people with disabilities gathered at Aorai Tinihau for a day of celebration.

Yesterday, it was in a sporting and friendly spirit that they competed in traditional sports competitions. Disability and distance are not a barrier. The peninsula’s associations did not hesitate to make the trip. The opportunity to “showcase everyone’s knowledge” explains Maimiti Fanaura, director of the Ueue Aaroha establishment.

We must show the value of our disabled people because they have value in their hands.

Maimiti Fanaura, Director of Ueue Te Aaroha

“And then we brought all our productions from the peninsula and we work especially with everything mother of pearl.” The slogan of the establishment Ueue Aaroha is also I have a disability and so.

A difference that must be an advantage for the Maimiti Fanaura Center: “Despite being moved to the peninsula, we have still managed to integrate around twenty disabled people and not only on internships but on permanent contracts. It is our daily struggle for to be able to integrate them socially, but also professionally.”

Craft stands, graphics and sports workshop, all designed to make these Polynesian Disability Days a celebration of life, a moment of regrouping and exchange between the 24 associations that make up the Te Niu O Te Huma Federation. Mateata Mahaga is coordinator at the Medical-Pedagogical Integration Institute: “It also allows these children to experience a special event with other young people from all walks of life. It is very festive and it really allows them to “go towards others, not if only to meet their gaze or their smile, from one to the other, and to see that we are not alone in our disability.”

The party ends on Friday. On this occasion, a solo and duo mobility race will be organized, over a distance of 3 kilometers, between Pirae Town Hall and Aorai Tinihau Park.