On the 16th of March 2016, 22 young people with intellectual disabilities from daycare center “Worlds”, came on a one day trip to Borovets. Our goal for this trip was to show these young people the beauty of Bulgaria’s nature during the winter and give the braver ones a chance to try skiing for the first time in a safe environment. Sports are very important for anyone with a disability. People with intellectual disabilities don’t have many options for such activities, even though most sports can be adjusted to their needs. With this initiative we hope to broaden the participants’ horizons and motivate them to get familiar and love winter sports. We also wish to promote physical education and sports as a form of rehabilitation, social integration and personal realization for people with intellectual disabilities in Bulgaria.
A great group of people.
Our day started in Sofia, where we picked up all of the participants. Emotions were high, as for many of them this would be their first excursion with just their friends and no parents around. But before we got on our way, we first got a tour of the daycare center and met all of the wonderful people who go there. Activities there include cooking, arts and crafts, socializing and other fun stuff. Once the buses arrived, we were ready for the journey to begin.
On the way to the top.
We arrived in Borovets before noon and our first agenda was a ride in the gondola to it’s top station. Borosport, the resort management in Borovets, had given each participant free access to the lifts and the staff was extremely friendly to our group during our whole stay in the resort. None of the participants had ever been on a ski lift before, some were curious, some where a little frightened, but all of them enjoyed it very much. A part of the group preferred to take a walk around Borovets instead and drink some tea and hot chocolate. They were well greeted at restaurant Malina, where the owner Mitko treated them drinks and gave them a warm welcome.
We had a pro camera operator filming the whole day and some of the participants were very eager to give an interview.
On our way to the top of the Yastrebetz gondola we were a little worried that the weather would be cloudy and that the participants would miss the great view found at 2300m. above sea level. Luckily, the clouds were low and once we reached the top it was all sunshine and smiles. The view was stunning and the weather was with us. We had a little walk up top, took some pictures and sat down for lunch on the benches next to the cabin lift. The enthusiasm of being so high in the sky for the first time put smiles on all of the participants faces.
Moni getting fitted with ski boots.
After lunch it was time to take the ride back down to the resort and meet up with the rest of the group for some more fun activities. We gathered up in the rental shop for a small tea break, where we got them acquainted with the sleds and snowshoes they would be using. Of the whole group only Moni and Venci wanted to ski, so once they were fitted with boots and everything we all headed over to hotel Rila. There we were greeted by the instructor who was going to teach them the basics. Evidently, the instructor had previous experience teaching people with intellectual disabilities how to ski. He told us that it is completely possible for them to learn and that his previous group was skiing by the end of their 6 day holiday. Sadly, our time table didn’t allow for a full lesson, but it was enough for both first time skiers to get a feel for the snow and see that it’s actually not as scary as it looks. At the end of it, both Venci and Moni were pleased with their experience and eager to have another go next year.
First time on skis and already breaking stereotypes.
While Moni and Venci were learning how to ski, the rest of the group got to have fun on sleds and walk around in snowshoes. Viktor, one of the participants, liked the snowshoes so much that he almost climbed the ski run Cherveno Zname, one of the steepest in Borovets. None of the participants had any trouble walking around with snowshoes and everyone that wanted to, got to try them on. Sofia doesn’t get much snow during the winter, so sledding in the city isn’t very popular and not something all of the participants had done before. They had a blast and didn’t want to leave when it was time to go.
Viktor caught on how to walk with snowshoes instantly.
Following the great day was the ride back to Sofia, where they were picked up by their parents in the daycare center. We got to meet the parents and after many goodbye hugs the event was over. Every one of the participants had a great time and can’t wait for their next trip.
Just some of the participants and staff after a long, eventful day.
We are very happy at Ski & Board Traventuria that everything went as planned and that all of the participants had a great time. Many of them told us that this was one of the best days of their lives, which made all of the effort to organize this trip worth it. Winter sports have given so much to us throughout our lives and we were very happy to share our love of snow with those who haven’t had the opportunity to experience winter like us. We would like to give credit to Maria’s World Foundation for all that they do for their clients. Without them and their openness this trip may not have happend. We would also like to thank Borosport, for supporting our idea and providing free access to the lifts and instructors.
