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The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the 2007 International Day of Disabled Persons focuses on how to ensure decent work for persons with disabilities and on ways to tap into the abilities of this marginalized talent pool.
To commemorate the Day, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia collected stories from Romania, Hungary and Poland about the working lives of Special Olympics athletes at work. The skills and talents these individuals have as athletes have helped them become model employees in the eyes of their employers and other employees. Known to be responsible, committed, disciplined and productive, the athletes in these stories are valued, respected and well liked by those who work with them.
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Serban Nicolescu briefs his colleagues during a staff meeting. Photo: courtesy of Special Olympics Romania | Romania
Athlete is first person with Down syndrome to be employed in a public institution
Special Olympics athlete Serban Nicolescu is the first person with Down syndrome in Romania to hold a position in a public institution. Nicolescu is a project assistant at Special Olympics Romania, a position he has held since August 2006. He works four hours a day, five days a week and earns a salary. The 27-year old from Bucharest has been a Special Olympics athlete for four years but he did not limit himself to athletics and bocce competitions. He also participated in seminars, speaking whenever he could on the benefits of sports and Special Olympics.
Nicolescu believes that his training in bocce, in particular, helped him learn to concentrate and coordinate his movements better. The ability to concentrate, combined with other things he learned while participating in sports, like patience, attentiveness and determination, enabled him to become proficient on the computer, mastering Excel and Word programs.
The tenacity that brought him gold and silver medals in bocce has made him an employee who is ready and well prepared for any challenge. “Working at Special Olympics Romania is what I like the most. I write on the computer; I answer the telephone; I greet our guests. My colleagues are really nice and we get along very well,” said Nicolescu, who is as charming and courteous as he is professional.
Nicolescu attended a mainstream school and high school where he easily integrated with his peers. He has a supportive family who is very proud of his achievements.
Wherever he goes, Nicolescu talks about what working with Special Olympics Romania means to him and he always encourages people with disabilities to follow their dreams and to never give up.
“Through what he does, Serban demonstrates to us that we need him every day. He also proves that people with disabilities can do wonderful things and that their work is really valuable.” said Cristian Ispas, Special Olympics Romania National Director.
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Istvan RABA, director general of the the "Dr. Nagy Laszlo" Institution and Csaba Nemeth. [Photo: Courtesy of Special Olympics Hungary] |
Hungary
Steady job enables athlete to live independently
Special Olympics Hungary athlete Csaba “Charlie” Nemeth has been working as a maintenance man since 1996. He works full time at the Dr. Nagy Laszlo Special Institution for Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities in Koszeg. He graduated from the institution at the age of 19. He had trained to be a gardener but could not find work. He was then offered the job he has now.
The 27-year-old has been a favorite at the institution since childhood. He has excellent organizational skills and is known as a confident and exacting young man when faced with a task.
He has been a Special Olympics athlete since 1996 and his love of sports has led him to compete in floor hockey, football and aquatics. He trains two to three times a week.
Nemeth is a member of the Koszeg-Wink floor hockey club where he is also the custodian. He is responsible for the equipment and uniforms and handles the housing and catering for guest teams. He still finds time to travel abroad as a member of the Special Olympics Hungary national football team and he volunteers at national Games.
Nemeth is well-known and beloved by all in Koszeg. He is able to live independently in the city because he works and can support himself.
“Csaba is a good fellow. He is a cooperative, reliable and competent worker who is an example to other employees,” said Istvan Raba, the director of the institution. “We enjoy paying close attention to his many sports accomplishments,” he added.
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Imre Vekasi's co-workers follow his Special Olympics competitions closely. [Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Hungary] |
Hungary
Punctual, reliable and modest describe athlete whose colleagues follow his sports activities with interest
Special Olympics athlete Imre Vekasi is employed as a tailor at Kerisz Ltd. in Szolnok, Hungary. The 34-year-old has been working there since 1991. He has been involved in Special Olympics since 1992.
Kerisz hired Vekasi as part of a state initiative to hire workers with disabilities. He is considered a model employee because he is punctual, cooperative and reliable.
Vekasi competes in athletics, aquatics, cycling and snowshoeing. He trains three to four times a week. He is a modest man and does not talk about his sporting achievements but his colleagues keep a close eye on him and they all know what Special Olympics is because of Vekasi. During national and international events, his employer gives him the days off to compete.
Those at the firm who have known him for a long time believe that sports has helped him become a more open and communicative person which makes him a better employee.
“When I came home from the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano I had not realized that my colleagues were following my progress and they were very complimentary when I returned to work,” said Vekasi. “I am happy that I am given the days off to compete but I do not want to miss too much work because it is not fair to my colleagues. Because I have a job I can buy my own uniforms,” he said. “I think I am treated equally because I do sports,” he added.
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(Left to right) Marzena Sluborska, Special Olympics Poland accountant, and Eliza Patykowska, Special Olympics athlete and staff member. |
Poland
Athlete does not shy away from solving problems
My name is Eliza Patykowska and I’m 24 years old. I am a person with a learning disability. I live in Poland in Warsaw. I have my own flat near my family so we are in contact all the time. I’m a member of a Special Olympics club where I am the athlete and messenger. Every Thursday I have a training session in bowling and on Saturdays aquatics. I have a lot of friends and I like spending time with Special Olympics. Thanks to Special Olympics, I am very open-minded and I know what I want. Sometimes I take part in Special Olympics seminars and conferences where I meet with coaches and we try to solve some problems.
For the past two years I’ve worked for the nonprofit organization ‘Opened Doors’ as an office manager. I coordinate sending faxes, letters and other documents. If it’s necessary I go to public institutions to solve problems. I work seven hours a day, five days a week. I like work very much and it gives me a lot of joy.
Twice a week I have English and French lessons. It’s not easy to learn languages but I am doing the best. I’m also interested in music and sport.
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