For seven decades, the Jura, Neuchâtel, Bernese Jura, Bienne section of the Swiss Association of the Paralysed (ASPr-SVG) has been helping people with physical disabilities. While the initial work was done in the shadows, mentalities have evolved over the years and it is important today to make ourselves known in order to be able to provide support and advice to as many people as possible.
Stronger together
Since its creation in 1954, the Jura, Neuchâtel, Bernese Jura, Bienne section of the Swiss Association of the Paralysed has spared no effort. The fully assumed objective is to recruit as many people with physical disabilities as possible in order to be able to inform, advise, gather and unite the largest possible community. Currently, the latter has 150 members. That’s the overall mission, but of course each section then has its specificities and ways of doing things. And it will come as no surprise to learn that in the BEJUNE and Bienne section, the specialty is proximity and conviviality. “We are directly interested in people and their well-being,” explains Sebastiano Carfora, president of the Swiss Association of the Paralysed and the Jura, Neuchâtel, Bernese Jura and Bienne section. A concrete example, when a person is sick, the other members have gotten into the habit of going to visit them, whether at home or in hospital. “Unfortunately, this is something that is being lost elsewhere,” the section head emphasizes.
Activities throughout the year
To maintain what has become the signature of the section, there is nothing like activities. Luckily, the Swiss Association of the Paralysed has been offering a whole bunch of them since its creation, such as swimming, breathing or self-esteem classes. Thematic days are also set up, such as the one that will soon be devoted to the importance of animals for people with disabilities. It will take place on October 10, at the Saint-François Center in Delémont.
Future challenges
70 years is an opportunity to look back but also the right time to look to the future in order to consider the challenges that lie ahead. Strengthening the visibility and support of people with physical disabilities remains of course the number one priority of the ASPr. “For us, this mainly involves recruiting new members but we will also continue to give advice because every year, the laws relating to disability change and we need to keep up to date”, explains Sebastiano Carfora. Before concluding on a positive note that the leader has the secret of. “Above all, we will continue to stimulate the people around us to allow them to do good to themselves while doing good to us too”. /rme
#Swiss
