The Public Authority of the Disabled (PADA), in partnership with Integrated Care Association for Special Needs and Down Syndrome Mothers’ Association, inaugurated Thursday the sports day event for the mentally disabled entitled, “You are in our hearts,” under the patronage of Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development and State Minister for Women and Childhood Affairs May Al-Baghly, head of the supreme council for disability affairs.
Deputy Director General of the Medical, Psychological and Social Services Sector at PADA Amer Al-Anzi confirmed to KUNA on the sidelines of the event that the authority is striving to support and encourage all kinds of disabilities in various fields, especially with regard to sports due to the physical and health benefits it has.
PADA is keen to cooperate and participate with public benefit organizations and relevant authorities concerned with the service, care and rehabilitation of disabled people, he clarified, revealing that the authority will hold a major sports and media event on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities this December.
In a similar statement to KUNA, Director General of Integrated Care Association for Special Needs Meshal Shaman said that the positive effects of sport on the mental health of people with various disabilities facilitate the process of rehabilitation treatment on public health, especially by improving and developing their skills.
The recreational treatment for the disabled, which is what distinguishes the institution, is completely different from other treatments, which is a treatment that helps the disabled to cope with the lost abilities and adapt, he mentioned, pointing out that the sporting activities contribute to the social integration of these groups with their varying conditions and mental capabilities.
The activity of this sports day includes several recreational and motor competitions that help them overcome the difficulty of communicating with others and break their fear barrier, he explained, indicating that it develops sports skills and reveals their strengths.
Source: Kuwait News Agency