Bećir, future actor and goodwill ambassador: to me my parents are the representation of authority

Bećir, a future actor and an ambassador of good will: My parents represent authority for me

To the non-inventive question: “Who obeys more, Bećir or Said,” asked with a goal to starting a conversation and finding out whether they are comfortable to communicate, they answered: “Nobody.”

And then we knew that the show is about to get started with two boys, naughty enough to keep the individuality in the world, where the adults would like to impose their rules on children.

Five years ago, Bećir was one of the main actors of UNICEF’s “It’s about ability” campaign. Five years later, he is equally eager to pose in front of cameras, although he explains to us that he likes video recording more than photographing because he wishes to become an actor. With the charm and confidence he owns, if he remains consistent with the boy’s wish, Bećir will undoubtedly have a successful acting career.

Due to the fact that his ambitions are of artistic rather than scientific nature, we have completely non-pedagogically encouraged him to devote himself to those lectures that make him happy, and those are certainly not mathematics or biology.

Bećir loves the physical education the most, and thanks to the support of the Mayor of Stari Grad Municipality, he goes to swimming lessons at the Olympic Pool Otoka free of charge.

Problem with the girls

Bećir is 12 years old and goes to the seventh grade of the Sarajevo Primary School “Mula Mustafa Bešeskija.”

“The boys are good, but the girls are so-so,” he tells us when we asked him how his schoolmates are. The explanation of the girls is followed by a gesture as if he lacked enough words to explain that “mischief”. Later, we will find out that the situation is not like it appears on the first glance. Bećir admitted to us that boys mostly tease the girls, and then those “rouges” strike back. This is certainly a typical illustration of a puberty world experience and we do not doubt that good communication and mutual understanding will come in upcoming years.

Bećir likes to spend his free time outside, playing with his younger brother Said, a relative that is of Said’s age and a relative that is a bit younger.

“To be honest, I like going out and swimming because at that time I do not have to learn,” said Bećir honestly, and that was again accompanied with our non-pedagogical smile.

Brother Said tells us that he and Bećir generally understand each other well, although Bećir sometimes initiates a typical fraternal conflict, where Said “eases off” and Bećir says “I’m just telling the truth and sometimes we are almost kicking each other.”

Said and Bećir are in the same shift at school, so the younger brother is always there if Bećir needs some help. “Classmates also help me,” adds Bećir, but also this time he does not miss an opportunity to complain over the girls. “They are constantly complaining to teachers about us, we are always in problems because of them,” says Bećir adding that he is trying not to take part in activities that lead to girls complaining to teachers in order to avoid problems.

With good people and family positivity through social obstacles

Bećir was born with cerebral palsy. If we were living in a more orderly society, there would be no reason to talk about the ways children with disabilities and their parents overcome the obstacles. But it is easier to overcome each obstacle in a family environment, where dynamics are created by boys like Bećir and Said, their dad Elvis tells us. “Being with them is relaxation for a man,” he says through a smile, and Bećir adds loudly: “Yeees,” being aware of being irresistible and able to create an atmosphere filled with joy, because, not to forget, he is a future actor.

Dad Elvis adds that support for them is the school “Mula Mustafa Bešeskija” where the conditions are adapted to the inclusive teaching program. He also points out the support of the above mentioned municipal mayor Ibrahim Hadžibajrić who, besides providing swimming lessons for free, is also attempting to create parks and playgrounds available to children with disabilities.

For the demanding Bećir’s medical intervention that had to be done in Turkey, which meant  big financial expenditures, good people took care, says dad Elvis to us.

In addition to informally organized good people, there is also the Association “Oaza”, to which they can turn for support, which is among other things reflected in the home arrivals of the physiotherapist, with who Bećir exercises.

In order to end the conversation in the same mood that it started, we asked Bećir whether he likes to exercise. “No,” says Bećir decisively. Asked if he might have a problem with accepting authority, which is a feature of most creative people and individuals, Bećir answers: “My parents are my only authority.”