Paula: to infinity and beyond
Paulita is 15 years old and has the will and drive of her family to go wherever she wants to.
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September 2023 is a date that Paulita’s family will never forget. One hot afternoon in the middle of summer, her mother, Niailé López Martínez, was told at the school reunion that her daughter would be starting at a trade school.
Hugging, jumping, tears, nervous laughter... all these mixed emotions filled Niailé’s chest and that of every member of the family, who have devoted body and soul to the growth of Paulita as an independent and valuable being for herself and society.
Her mother says that Paula’s level of development includes a slight intellectual development. However, thanks to all the stimulating work of the family and the love given to the girl, she has managed to achieve many goals that, little by little, have turned her into a capable and autonomous adolescent.
“We also have to thank the constant work of the school and the opportunities to participate in other socialisation projects. For instance, she has been very happy to take piano lessons, swimming, drumming, and doing handicrafts... At home we motivate her with dominoes, parcheesi, hopscotch, billiards, bingo... We know that every activity or stimulus helps her learn and opens up options for her training in a job. We have always wanted her to be able to work and be economically independent in the future.”
Paula Angélica Angelini López is 15 years old and has a very cheerful attitude towards life, which goes hand in hand with a determined character and well-defined limits. When she says, “I don’t want to,” she means it. However, when she smiles, it is as if she lights up the whole room and the most enormous sorrows fly away.
She has undoubtedly inherited and learned that energy from her family, who, even in the worst times, have never lost the will to give their best. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit households with children the hardest, Niailé sought support from the ‘Juntos por la inclusion’ (Together for Inclusion) project.
“During the pandemic, when WhatsApp groups were created to provide emotional support and psycho-educational spaces for families with children with intellectual disabilities, we got involved. By that time, I was a member of the Support Group for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which was in the process of becoming the Association we have today. That was when teacher Mirtha Leiva wrote to us calling on creating the Together for Inclusion Project.”
Together for Inclusion is a socio-emotional and educational support group for teachers and families of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Its first objective was to provide a space for accompaniment in the new dynamics imposed by COVID-19. Nowadays, it continues with the task of advising and helping families. It is coordinated by professionals from the Central Institute of Pedagogical Sciences (ICCP) and UNICEF Cuba, with more than 20 years of specialisation in caring for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
Amid times of social isolation, without opportunities for recreation or the company of others, this group was a light in the dynamics of everyday life at home.
“Our first approach was wonderful. It was a tough time. However, knowing that, despite the lack of physical contact and presence, you could count on friends and professionals, made us feel accompanied. Families introduced themselves and shared their experiences, which served as an example to others. We discussed different and important topics in the development and life of our sons and daughters and each meeting was of infinite orientation and learning. We talked without taboos or prejudices and, although some interacted more than others, you felt like you were part of a big family, listened to and supported.” Niailé points out about this initiative.
After the pandemic, Paula and her family have had the opportunity to interact with children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities who make up the large community of Together for Inclusion. There have been several scenarios to exchange experiences and tools to foster their growth and autonomy.
In addition, these actions promote sensitivity, respect and acceptance of diversity from an inclusive and unbiased point of view.
The path of bringing up and educating a child with an intellectual disability requires support, guidance, preparation and a lot of willingness to learn in order to teach them. It requires confidence and security. Myths, stereotypes and prejudices must fall at home first.
Access to training opportunities, specialists or support sites is not available to all families. The greatest strength of the multi-platform Together for Inclusion lies precisely in its reach, regardless of territory, and in the fact that it acts as a safe space where every difference is respected.
“Families with children with intellectual disabilities need a lot of support and guidance, in all spheres. Sometimes this is not well managed. So, the family that does not seek it out for itself is unprotected and will not have an easy time. The private consultations with specialists, the group discussions, the family experiences, the booklets debunking myths, the notebooks... reinforce the importance of support networks for the healthy development and inclusion of our children in society,” reaffirms López.
Paulita, Niailé and her family are grateful to every person who has allowed them to grow and to demonstrate their abilities. This is also how the family has given her the pretext to overcome unfounded fears, insecurities and excuses that only limit Paula's individual and progressive development.
“I thank UNICEF for all the support, activities, competitions and videos in which Pauli has participated. The notebooks, book bags and campaigns have helped her to interact, to socialize better in the activities, to feel like everyone else and to have confidence and self-confidence. She has been a protagonist in the campaigns and has acted with responsibility and discipline, increasing her self-esteem, losing stage fright. She has felt useful and demonstrate with her attitude and aptitude that she can always do more,” says Niailé.
