All-Russian visiting sports and rehabilitation camp “Center for the active life” training in the use of a wheelchair took place in the sports center “Борский” (professional teams from all over the country usually train here) at the end of September.

the main thing, what was taught in the camp, – it's a ride “on balance”. That is, to put a wheelchair on two rear wheels (lifting the two front) and maneuver.

– If you master this technique, then you can easily navigate the stairs yourself, move off curbs, – shared his impressions Yuri Toporov, 36-summer resident of Bora, formerly a glassmaker at a local glass factory. Spinal fracture put him in a wheelchair. – If there are two points of support, then there is more mobility. Another huge plus is, what, when a person masters balance, those muscle groups start to hurt him, which he has not felt before. They get involved, and that's great.

In the first practical lesson, the participants also learned to fall from the wheelchair and get up independently.

– We often fall, usually on the back, – smiles Svetlana Konyukhova from Orel. To her 32 of the year, in 2016 got into an accident. – We were taught several lifting techniques depending on the type of wheelchair and the type of injury. In general, such a camp for me – this is the first experience. No one has taught me to use a wheelchair at this level before.. I began to feel her much better. I also liked the comprehensive approach to rest, and communication.

Communicating, the participants also discussed the problems. Conversations went without resentment or anger (they are all very positive people) and about very specific shortcomings. So, Dmitry Kuzin from the city of Kulebaki (Nizhny Novgorod Region) told, that the existing stroller is not very suitable for his tall height – spine tense. And ordering an individual one is very difficult for many reasons.. And almost everyone noted, that an accessible environment for people with disabilities in many cities is still only fiction: or the ramps will be installed at this angle, that even a healthy person cannot enter them, or forget to make an exit from the sidewalks…

Camp shift ended with fun orienteering, hand-painted t-shirts, exchange of phone numbers and good mood.

From now on, disabled people in the Kirov region can undergo training for the right to drive a passenger car, without leaving the region. At the Vyatka Automobile-Industrial College, a passenger car was equipped with a special manual control using federal budget funds, which helps people with disabilities learn to drive. Driving license categories “IN” already got two people. for example, Alexey Kozlov from Bogorodsk moves in a special wheelchair with 12 years old. To make your life easier and more mobile, bought a manual car several years ago.

– Learned to drive by myself, there was nowhere to turn for help. It was possible to obtain official rights only in other regions, and this is the time, and considerable funds for living while studying, – he says. – Now, finally, got a driving license. I have “Levels”, I will go anywhere, and this greatly expands my mobility options.

Alexey thinks, that there are many people who want to become more mobile and travel by car, but not everyone knows, that now you can learn and get a license in the Kirov region.

“For residents of other cities of the Kirov region, we can organize the study of the theoretical part using distance educational technologies and e-learning, and for the internship, you must come to Kirovo-Chepetsk. We have a hostel, equipped with everything necessary for comfortable living of people with disabilities and disabilities. But no indulgences are provided when passing the exams for driving license.”, – says the deputy director of the college for academic affairs Natalya Igoshina.