Dear fellow swimmers, this is something for us. Let us not overlook people whose lives have been less fortunate than ours.
Please read, share and take the plunge. Film it and post it. If you can afford a donation, that is a wonderful thing to do — thank you. But simply spreading the message by sharing a video matters too.
As if you had been thrown into icy water… That is how parents can feel on learning that their newborn child has a serious disability. Whether they want to or not, they must quickly learn to swim in those icy waters. It is not easy, which is why Společnost pro ranou péči supports families with children with disabilities from the outset. Anyone can help by joining the Nebuď srab! Namoč se pro ranou péči — Take the plunge for early intervention campaign. It takes very little: support early intervention and get involved.
The campaign raises money for families with children with disabilities and the early intervention services that support them. Donate at www.nebudsrab.cz. You can also show support by photographing or filming your charity dip and challenging friends, acquaintances or colleagues to join in. Upload photos and videos to the campaign website and/or your social media with the hashtag #nebudsrab.
‘We want to show how demanding it is to care for a child with a disability. These children and their parents are no wimps. It is blunt language, but it reflects reality. Parents have to learn a huge amount very quickly, overcome countless obstacles and show extraordinary determination, perseverance and courage every day. From the beginning, they must do exercises and rehabilitation with their child, stimulate their senses, attend appointments, stay in hospitals and deal with official paperwork. It is exhausting. Fortunately, they do not have to face it alone: early intervention services are there to help,’ explains Vladimíra Salvetová, director of the Ostrava branch of Společnost pro ranou péči.
Early intervention supports families with young children with disabilities and is, by law, free for families. Specialists visit them at home, in a familiar, safe environment, and show parents how to support their child’s development, communicate and adapt their home. They lend essential aids, offer advice on social support and much more. Funding comes from several sources: alongside grants from regional and local authorities and foundations, the service relies on donations from individuals and businesses. Without these, it could not operate.
The campaign supports seven branches of Společnost pro ranou péči, helping families across ten Czech regions. More information, along with photos and videos from people who have already taken the plunge, is available at www.nebudsrab.cz.
‘A huge thank-you to everyone who gets involved for families with children with disabilities and for early intervention. Thank you for donating, raising awareness and sharing on social media. Thank you, quite simply, to everyone taking the plunge with us,’ says Vladimíra Salvetová.